Community First News & Updates

#VillageHallsWeek: LACE-UP grant enables fantastic programme of free exercise and activity classes at Leigh Park Community Centre

by | Jan 22, 2019 | Community Development, News

It’s #VillageHallsWeek 2019, a great time to reflect on the achievements of village halls and community buildings across Wiltshire and Swindon over the last 12 months. Between 22-28th January 2019, we’ll be sharing news, activities, events and more from the many community spaces at the heart of our communities.

Community First is proud to support a network of over 160 village halls as part of the Wiltshire Village Halls association (WVHA). We actively encourage and champion the important role village halls play in everyday life and the volunteers that ensure their sustainability and maintain them for generations to come.

In 2018, Community First and several WVHA members took part in LACE UP, a 1 year pilot project funded by Sport England and managed by ACRE, which offered village halls and community building in Wiltshire the chance to apply for up to £10,000 to support the health and wellbeing of rural residents and increase physical activity locally.

With just under £8,000 of grant funding through LACE UP, Leigh Park Community Centre in Westbury is rolling out a programme of free fitness classes for local residents. The classes, which will run between 15th January – 2nd May 2019 are offered free of charge to local residents, they include:

  • Family Fitness
  • Toddler Fun Fitness
  • Post-Natal Pilates
  • Over 50’s Flexibility & Core
  • Black Belt Fitness
  • Ladies Box/ Kick Fit

The classes have been well received by the local community in Westbury and the ‘Over 50’s Flexibility & Core’ class currently has a waiting list of over 65 people and the Ladies Box / Kick Fit has a waiting list of over 35! Community First is supporting the community centre to access additional support for in-demand classes.

As well as offering free exercise classes, Leigh Park Community centre has worked hard to deliver community events for families, parents, children and older people, bringing the community together and helping to alleviate loneliness.

Between July and September 2018, the community centre held two Family Fun Days, as well as an afternoon tea party for older people in Westbury who are isolated or lonely. The afternoon tea was much appreciated by local residents. These community activities were supported through a grant from Wiltshire Council Westbury Area Board.

Leigh Park Community Centre is a fantastic example of a thriving community building, bringing local residents together and offering a variety of activities for young and old alike. For more information about the community centre, including fitness classes, regular activities or hiring information please visit:

Leigh Park Community Centre
Call: 01373 825774
Or email: leighparkcommunitycentre@hotmail.co.uk

Image credit: Leigh Park Community Centre

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