• The centre, in conjunction with Lewisham Council, is offering Lewisham school children aged between 10 and 12 who are in years five, six and seven, free lessons in a bid to increase the numbers of Lewisham children who are able to swim
• Being able to swim 25m is part of the national curriculum requirement for pupils in Year 6 and during Easter 64 children took up the offer of free lessons

Quotations

Tarzem Shoker, Contract Manager at Downham Health & Leisure Centre, said:

It is great that we can offer free lessons to school children to give the swimming standard across Lewisham a boost, as it is very important for children to stay safe whilst having fun in and around water. We hope to teach as many children as we can during the summer months and allow them to reach the national curriculum requirement, which will help prepare them for the summer holidays and give them more confidence in the water.

• Local residents were invited to come along to the leisure centre to be part of the World’s Largest Coffee Morning and sample tea, coffee and cakes brought in by two members

Quotations

Danielle De Cruz, Community Liaison Manager at Downham Health & Leisure Centre, commented:

I would like to thank two of our regular members Jackie and Alan, who are famous at the centre for their cake-making, for giving their time and skills to make the cakes, and the customers who came along to support the event. It was a really fun and enjoyable morning, but one that also allowed us to remember those we know who have been affected by cancer.

• The women-only sessions run on Mondays 9-10pm, Thursdays 8-9am and Saturday 4.30-6pm
• If swimmers attend with three or more friends before Saturday 15 September, they will each receive four free swims, which they can take at any future women-only sessions
• In addition to the free swim offer, Downham Health & Leisure Centre also offers ten for the price of eight swims, swimming lessons for £3 each, as well as a variety of classes include aqua aerobics to all swimmers
• To redeem the four free swims, women need to ask for Danielle at Reception

Quotations

Danielle De Cruz, Community Liaison Manager at Downham Health & Leisure Centre, said:

We’re hoping to get more local women involved in swimming at the centre, but we know it can sometimes be intimidating to come alone. We’re looking forward to welcoming groups of friends to the centre, and hope the four free swims will give them the incentive they need to come and exercise here at the centre.

• The centre achieved a consistent level of high results across the assessments, which included an online submission, site visit and customer survey, and secured top marks in the site visit stage of the assessment
• The centre was judged on its planning, promotions, training and resources, as well as first impressions when entering the site
• Customers at the centre were also asked to complete a survey and give their comments about their experience at the centre

Quotations

Danielle De Cruz, Community Liaison Manager at Downham Health & Leisure Centre, commented:

It was an honour to be nominated for the FIA Flame Awards as Centre of the Year. We have worked extremely hard with Lewisham Council to ensure we are delivering the best possible service to members of the community, so we are delighted that our hard work has been recognised by the FIA.

• The camp will take place between 9am and 3pm and costs £25 for the week
• Children will be taught football skills and drills and take part in some friendly competitions towards the end of the week
• The Millwall Community Scheme provides opportunities for local communities to take part in sporting activities, learn new skills and gives children the chance to make new friends
• All children must be pre-booked onto the course.
• For more information or to book a place on the course please contact reception on 020 8461 9200.

Quotations

Danielle De Cruz, Community Liaison Manager at Downham Health & Leisure Centre, said:

The course provides a fantastic opportunity for children to get active during the summer holidays and have some fun. We’re proud to be working with Millwall Community Scheme to deliver a fun course for all children in the local community to enjoy.

• The event will be held at the leisure centre between 11am-4pm, and people of all ages will be able to take part in both sporting and non-sporting activities

• There’s a chance to try Zumba, scale The Reach Climbing Wall, or check out the Surrey Docks petting farm

• At 2pm, Bromley Scuba Diving Club will be giving visitors the chance to try scuba diving in the main pool

• The library will host story-telling sessions and there will be a variety of performances in the Downham Assembly talent tent

• The Downham Celebrates committee is an active partnership, that includes Downham and Whitefoot ward councillors, local residents and service providers, aims to increase the opportunity for residents to engage in local community, cultural and sporting events and festivities

Quotations:

Danielle De Cruz, Community Liaison Manager at Downham Leisure Centre, said:

This event is a great opportunity for all members of the local community to get together and have some fun, meet some new people and see all the activities the centre has to offer.

• As well as free swimming all day, the centre will give members and non-members the opportunity to sample a Step class at 9.30am and a Latin-inspired Zumba Gold class at 2pm
• Staff at the centre will also be on hand to offer advice on fitness and nutrition

Quotations

Cllr Chris Best, Cabinet Member for Community Services and Older People said:

As a borough we are really gearing up for the Olympics and Downham Health & Leisure Centre’s commitment to the community’s fitness is a great legacy for the future.

Danielle De Cruz, Community Liaison Manager at Downham Health & Leisure Centre said:

We’re really looking forward to hosting this event to encourage people to get involved with some new sporting activities. The countdown to the Olympics is in full swing and what better way to mark it than getting people involved with sport and fitness.

• On Monday 14 May from 9-10pm the pool will host a women only Swim session and on Tuesday 15 May at 11am there will be an Aqua Fit session
• The sessions will continue on Wednesday 16 May at 6pm with a taster swimming lesson for women and on Thursday 17 May at 2pm there will be a Zumba Gold session
• Finally, on Friday 18 May at 10.30am there will be a Stretch & Relax session
• All sessions are free for women to attend, but men are also welcome to attend any class except the Monday 9-10pm Swim session
• Sessions must be booked in advance, by calling 020 8461 9200 or by dropping into the centre, or by emailing clmdownham@leisureconnection.co.uk

Quotations

Councillor Chris Best, Cabinet Member for Community Services and Older People, said:

I am so pleased Downham Health & Leisure Centre is encouraging women of all ages to take part in these different activities. Having them not only at different times of the day, but for free should really help local women take part and enjoy themselves.

Danielle De Cruz, Community Liaison Manager at Downham Health & Leisure Centre, said:

Fitness is so important for women and we are proud to be offering such a wide variety of free sessions in honour of Women’s Health Week. It’s important that women in our community find exercise enjoyable, and by offering a different session each day, we hope they will find something they like and will carry on taking part in

• The taster day will give members and non-members the opportunity to sample a variety of the classes
• There will be free swimming throughout the day
• Sessions will start at 9.30am with Body Combat, with Latin-inspired Zumba at 11am and session of Body Pump at 6.30pm
• Attendees will even have a 15minute personal training class with one of the fully qualified and trainers
• Where they can get some expert advice on fitness, nutrition and goal setting

Quotations

Danielle De Cruz, Community Liaison Manager at Downham Health and Leisure Centre said:

We’re really looking forward to hosting this event to encourage people to get involved with some new sporting activities and get advice and workout techniques from our team of qualified personal trainers. The countdown to the Olympics starts now and what better way to mark it other than getting people involved with sports, meeting new people and getting advice on how to tailor exercise to best suit them.