We’re serious about doing social good and adding social value to people’s lives here at Inspiring Healthy Lifestyles (IHL).

That’s why we will be marking the first ever Seriously Social Week on Monday 27 May as part of a national campaign that showcases the work of charities, like ours, putting people above profit, connecting communities and helping people to become healthier, happier and more creative, regardless of age or ability.

Seriously Social has been organized by national body Community Leisure UK – of which IHL – are a member of.

Starting Monday 27, Seriously Social is an opportunity to show how charities like IHL support Health & Wellbeing, the Environment, Inclusion, the Community and Employment & Skills.

Inspiring Healthy Lifestyles Managing Director Neil Hutchinson said: “We proud to be part of a network of charities operating with a social conscience, delivering social good when providing public leisure and culture services.

“Putting people above profit, helping to connect communities and supporting people with their health and wellbeing is what IHL is all about. We are proud of the leisure and cultural services we manage in Cannock Chase, on behalf of the Council, because we know how much they mean to people, how much they support the community and the difference they make to people’s lives.”

“Seriously Social is a brilliant way to showcase not only the difference we make but also why we do what we do.”

More than 100 Charitable Trusts and Social Enterprises deliver public leisure and culture in Scotland, Wales and Ireland as part of the Community Leisure UK network. Together in 2023 they:

• Welcomed more than 209 million visits
• Worked with 170+ Local Authorities
• Collaborated with more than 100,000 Community Groups
• 73% Reduced Carbon Emissions
• 63% provided warm spaces
• 75% provided holiday food and activity programmes.
• Saved the state and NHS £893million through their work getting people more active and healthier *

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, 365 days a year.

“As social enterprises and charities, they put people above profit. They are run by local people and have everyone’s best interests at heart. This week is about showcasing how they go above and beyond supporting individuals and communities. This is a selfless sector, quietly going about supporting people and communities every day. Not because it makes them money, but because it’s the right thing to do. And we thought it was high time more people know about the great work they do and the difference they make.”

For more information visit seriouslysocial.org.uk

*Social Value Figure produced by 4Global using data from Moving Communities and DataHub. Full stats can be found at seriouslysocial.org.uk

Seriously Social – Find out more at seriouslysocial.org.uk

About Inspiring Health Lifestyles – We believe that everyone is capable of living a happier and healthier lifestyle by challenging themselves to get active and harnessing their creativity. Since 2003, we have been committed to inspiring our community to make the lifestyle choices they’ve always strived to achieve but never had the motivation or means to do so.

About Community Leisure UK – Community Leisure UK is the members’ association that specialises in charitable trusts delivering public leisure and culture services across the UK. https://communityleisureuk.org/