Better leisure centres support Great Winter Get Together
Better leisure centres across the UK will be taking place in the 2024 Great Winter Get Together (12 – 15 January), a campaign run by the Jo Cox Foundation, which sees community events across the UK act as places where people can find meaningful connection. The Get Together is inspired by the late Jo Cox MP and her work to tackle loneliness.
The free activities will include the opportunity to take part in sports and games such as table tennis, badminton or group exercises classes. Alternatively, visitors to Better leisure centres will be offered a warm place to sit and socialise, along with free hot drinks and snacks.
While December is often a time of busy schedules and making social plans, January can be a difficult and isolating month for many, with fewer opportunities for connection after the festive period has come to an end.
Rt Hon Jacqui Smith, Chair of The Jo Cox Foundation, said: “The Great Winter Get Together is inspired by Jo Cox’s passion for strengthening communities and improving the UK’s response to the loneliness crisis. Each year we are inspired by all those people who volunteer their time to organise an event in their community and thank them for their efforts, because we see the remarkable impact that these Great Winter Get Togethers can have on people’s wellbeing.”
Joseph Rham Customer Experience Director for Better leisure centres added: “As a charitable social enterprise, operating at the heart of the local community we recognise the challenges the cold winter months can create, particularly with utility bills remaining high and in the face of a cost-of-living crisis. That’s why we wanted to support the Jo Cox Foundation’s work and do out bit to help tackle social isolation and bring people together.”
Beginning on Friday 12th January and culminating on so-called Blue Monday 15th January, Great Winter Get Together events provided opportunities for communities to come together and make meaningful connections. The benefits of the initiative are proven: 97% of participants in last year's Great Winter Get Together reported improved mental health and wellbeing, with 78% saying they felt less lonely.