Portway Lifestyle Centre celebrate successful and inclusive five years
To mark the anniversary a special film has been created with colleagues from Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council’s Adult Services and all of the key stakeholders and partners. The film showcases the teamwork involved, the life-changing outcomes and how to get the best from disabled people at an Inclusive Fitness Initiative* accredited facility.
Centre Manager John Harling says:
“We’re really proud of it because it brings to life all the positive results that the scheme set out to achieve, highlights some of the excellent partnership working in place and really supports what Public Health England advocate too.
“Ever since we opened our doors in Oldbury, Portway has succeeded in reaching out to the broadest variety of users and meeting a hugely diverse range of needs. Indeed, Portway epitomises SLT’s successful partnership with Sandwell Council in working together to make a healthier and active Sandwell.”
As a centre of excellence for disabled people, Portway now hosts over 55,000 disabled visitors per year and has enjoyed 10% growth year-on-year. The Portway Pass has provided over 2,200 Sandwell disabled residents free access to the pool, gym, fitness classes and many other activities offered at the centre.
Their Gym Buddies scheme supports individuals with visual impairments and continues to grow from strength to strength, while the hydrotherapy pool has helped hundreds of individuals to improve their mobility and coordination.
The all-weather 3G pitches have enabled Portway to host national football disability events and festivals for amputees and people with Down Syndrome, while in partnership with the Albion Foundation and Sandwell MBC, Portway also launched a mixed disability league.
Most recently, the launch of Portway Connect has seen a unique partnership with the Portway Family GP Surgery considerably improve patient’s health and well being through physical activity.
To watch the video please go to the Sandwell Leisure Trust YouTube channel.
*Portway is one of the very few ‘Excellent’ accredited Inclusive Fitness Initiative (IFI) facilities in the Midlands. By complying with the 'IFI Mark' standards Portway Lifestyle Centre publicly delivers on its commitment to quality of service to disabled customers, plus inclusion and equality for all members to participate. The IFI Mark is fundamental in addressing inequality in physical activity; reaching inactive populations and raising awareness of the benefits of exercise, as well as creating demand.
