Decision

To launch a scheme, to be known as the Cheltenham Feel Good Pass, that enables passholders to access free activities at a range of health and leisure providers.

The scheme will be funded from the council’s allocation of health and wellbeing grant received from Gloucestershire NHS.

The scheme will build on the success of the previous Feed Cheltenham activity pass that enabled users of Cheltenham’s food pantries and food banks to access 12 free activities at Leisure At Cheltenham including swim, gym and soft play plus discounted access to pay as you go activities.

Reasons for the decision

People living in our lower income neighbourhoods are more at risk of lower activity levels. Nationally, 1.5 times people are classed as inactive in the most deprived communities (33.7%) when compared to the least deprived communities (20.5%).

In the council’s draft physical activity action plan, the council sets out that it will work with partners to expand the existing Feed Cheltenham activity pass both in terms of the groups being able to access the card, and the range of physical activity providers.

The proposed activity providers, and their offer is as follows:

Provider

Offer

Indicative cost per person

Leisure At Cheltenham

Tommy Taylors Ln,

Cheltenham

GL50 4RN

Access to 12 free activities to include swimming, gym, class or soft play.

Annual concession pass

Up to £132

£22

Total cost per person is £154

Leisure At upgrade offer

 If people take part in the 12 free activities, then offer an off-peak membership that will provide users with access to swimming, gym, class or soft play for 3 months, between 09.30 and 17.00 Monday to Friday

£80

YMCA sports centre

College Drive,

off Arle Road

Cheltenham

GL51 8NY

Access to 12 free sessions to include access to the fitness suite, classes and activities taking place in the sports hall.

Annual membership pass

£84

£17.50

Total cost per person is £101.50

Cornerstone Centre

1 Severn Rd

Oakley

Cheltenham

GL52 5QA

Access to 12 x Get Moving Whaddon (GMW) sessions:

Thursday sessions:

·         GMW Moving Club 10-11

·         GMW Men’s club 11-12

·         GMW Women of Whaddon 2-3

£24 per person

Oasis Centre

Oasis Centre

Cassin Drive

Cheltenham

GL51 7SY

Access to 12 free seated class sessions led by an instructor

£60 per person

As the scheme rolls out, the Council will explore adding more providers to this list.

Monitoring and reporting
It is important that the success of the scheme is tracked, so we will encourage providers to undertake a survey of users before they start accessing the scheme, and again at the end of the 12 free sessions.

Background information
Media release regarding the launch of the previous Feed Cheltenham activity pass

Media release – February 2024

Alternative options considered

None considered, the activity pass has already been piloted. More than 150 people have benefitted from the free leisure activities to help boost their health and fitness.