Selby Leisure Centre has joined a growing band of businesses across Selby, Tadcaster and Sherburn to be awarded the Accessible Selby Charter.

The award recognises the commitment the staff and facility make to ensuring all customers’ needs are met when they visit and their ongoing pledge to identify where improvements can be made to make the centre even more accessible in the future for those with physical and hidden disabilities.

An Inclusion Ambassador will also be appointed to help drive an inclusive culture.

Andy Sim, Wellbeing Manager at Selby Leisure Centre, said:

We’re delighted to be part of this wonderful initiative. Our Leisure Centre is an integral part of the community.

We’re here to support everybody to become healthier and happier and we don’t want people missing out on that because they don’t feel we cater to their specific needs. We want to make Selby Leisure Centre as accessible as possible for everyone.

Selby Leisure Centre is managed on behalf of North Yorkshire Council by Health and Wellbeing Charity, Inspiring Healthy Lifestyles. The charity will also be applying for Tadcaster Leisure Centre to also be awarded the status.

The scheme was introduced by Heidi Green, Senior Business Adviser at North Yorkshire Council in July 2023 and has since seen more than 70 businesses pledging to make their businesses more accessible. She said:

We’re extremely pleased that so many businesses in the area have signed up.

Approximately 20% of the population are disabled and at any time any one of us may find ourselves with either a physical or hidden disability but many customers say they lack confidence to go into businesses due to their physical or hidden disability.

This is why we are committed to making Selby District as accessible as possible to everyone, making the whole environment Welcoming, Safe and Inclusive.

To find out more email heidi.green@northyorks.gov.uk.