Latest news with #JenHolland
Edinburgh Live
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Edinburgh Live
Edinburgh mums take on challenge to raise money for charity that 'provided a lifeline'
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info A group of mums are teaming up for the Edinburgh marathon to raise money for a charity close to their hearts. The four mothers - who bonded through a local exercise group - are hoping to raise funds for Active Mum's due to the support it provided for them to return to fitness after childbirth. They will be running as a relay team. The programme is part of Edinburgh Leisure's Active Communities initiative. The group will join 55 other people participating on behalf of Edinburgh Leisure at the Marathon events. Chio Martinez, one of the relay team members, said: "Like many people looking for a fundraising challenge in 2025, I signed up to raise funds for Active Communities and Edinburgh Leisure by taking part in the Edinburgh Marathon Festival. "Of course, there are lots of other big-name charities out there, but funding for smaller projects is under threat in Edinburgh, and this is my way of giving something back. 'Active Mums has been a lifeline for me and other mothers with young babies and toddlers. It's not just about fitness—it's created a community where I've formed meaningful connections, established a vital routine, and found reasons to leave the house on those challenging days. "The programme offers clear fitness milestones in a judgment-free environment where we all understand the unique struggles of postpartum wellness. It's given me the confidence to take on the EMF challenge—something I never would have considered before. We're all excited to step up to this challenge together, and it's become the perfect motivation to keep moving forward on our fitness journeys." The Active Mums relay team has already exceeded their fundraising target and have raised £945, which is 150% of their £600 fundraising target. The marathon fundraising effort comes as Edinburgh Leisure marks the second Seriously Social Week from May 16 to 12 as part of a national campaign showcasing the work of charities that prioritise people over profit, connect communities, and promote health, happiness, and creativity for all ages and abilities. Join Edinburgh Live's Whatsapp Community here and get the latest news sent straight to your messages. Organised by Community Leisure UK, each day of Seriously Social Week highlights how organisations like Edinburgh Leisure create social impact and foster healthier, happier communities. The campaign focuses on five key themes: health and wellbeing, community, inclusion, employment and skills, and the environment. Jen Holland, CEO of Edinburgh Leisure, stated: "We are proud to be part of a network of charities operating with a social conscience, delivering social good through public leisure services. Our core mission is about purpose, not profit, helping people first. "We support Edinburgh in becoming healthier and happier with quality health and wellbeing services for everyone, regardless of age or ability, including those with serious health conditions, which helps reduce the financial burden on the NHS." To donate to Edinburgh Leisure's Active Mums or other Active Communities programmes, you can visit here:
Scotsman
12-05-2025
- Health
- Scotsman
Edinburgh Leisure champions community wellbeing during Seriously Social Week
Watch more of our videos on and on Freeview 262 or Freely 565 Visit Shots! now Edinburgh Leisure is dedicated to enhancing social value and will mark the second Seriously Social Week in May, as part of a national campaign showcasing the work of charities that prioritise people over profit, connect communities, and promote health, happiness, and creativity for all ages and abilities. Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Organised by Community Leisure UK, Seriously Social Week runs from May 12 to 16, with each day highlighting how organisations like Edinburgh Leisure create social impact and foster healthier, happier communities. Themes include health and wellbeing, community, inclusion, employment and skills, and the environment. Jen Holland, CEO of Edinburgh Leisure, stated: 'We are proud to be part of a network of charities operating with a social conscience, delivering social good through public leisure services. Our core mission is about purpose, not profit, helping people first. We support Edinburgh in becoming healthier and happier with quality health and wellbeing services for everyone, regardless of age or ability, including those with serious health conditions, which helps reduce the financial burden on the NHS. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'Just a few of our achievements include supporting over 12,500 people through our Active Communities programmes; offer over 160 health and wellbeing classes weekly; assisting 1,245 refugees and relocated individuals in staying active and connected; providing discounted community access to over 2,500 people; and offer sporting facilities to over 550 Edinburgh sports clubs across 35 different sports. Social Value for Individual Health Conditions 'Seriously Social is a fantastic opportunity to showcase the difference we make and why we do what we do and aligns perfectly with the themes of Seriously Social.' As the largest provider of sports and leisure facilities in the city, Edinburgh Leisure offers activities for everyone throughout their lives. As a charitable trust, every penny is reinvested into the health and wellbeing of Edinburgh. Being active improves physical and mental health, and Edinburgh Leisure aims to support as many people as possible in feeling their best. In 2024, Charitable Trusts and Social Enterprises across England, Scotland, and Wales generated £1,598,045,306 in social value*, equating to an average of £228 per person. A study by Public Health Scotland found that of the 62,941 deaths in Scotland in 2022, over 3,000 were due to physical inactivity, with cancer and cardiovascular disease accounting for about one-third of these. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Last year, Edinburgh Leisure's Active Communities team supported over 12,500 people in improving their health and wellbeing through projects focused on falls prevention, mental health, long-term health conditions, and supporting those on low incomes and experiencing inequalities. Edinburgh Leisure is Seriously Social Kirsty Cumming, CEO of Community Leisure UK, said: 'Our members don't just deliver public leisure and cultural services; they support social change for the better every day of the week. As social enterprises and charities, they prioritise people over profit, are run by local people, and have everyone's best interests at heart. Seriously Social Week showcases how they go above and beyond in supporting individuals and communities. This sector quietly supports people and communities daily, not for profit, but because it's the right thing to do.' More than 110 Charitable Trusts and Social Enterprises deliver public leisure and culture in Scotland, Wales, and Ireland as part of the Community Leisure UK network. In 2024, they: •Welcomed over 209 million visits •86% delivered activity referral programs •70% offered strength and balance programs for over 50s •Worked with 193 local authorities •Collaborated with over 100,000 community groups •87% offered volunteer opportunities •Over 70% provided holiday activity and food programs •38% offered youth activity sessions that helped reduce local crime For more information, visit Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad *Social Value – This figure represents the monetary value of the benefits to individuals and savings to the state from the work of Charitable Trusts & Social Enterprises in promoting physical activity and health. The full report can be found at produced by 4Global using data from DataHub and Moving Communities.
