Article Source: East Renfrewshire Culture & Leisure
Last Updated: 17 December 2024 13:30
As the first leisure trust in Scotland to offer free fitness membership to local armed forces veterans, the Health for Heroes initiative was launched in 2019 and continues to thrive, with membership almost doubling in the last 18 months. The membership includes consultation with an exercise specialist from the Active Health and Wellbeing team and access to gym, fitness classes and swimming across East Renfrewshire.
East Renfrewshire Culture and Leisure hosts regular veterans' breakfasts to support the Health for Heroes members to engage with each other and offer local community support.
Local armed forces veteran Robert Storrie, who attended the Health for Heroes festive breakfast at Barrhead Foundry, said: “I think it's an amazing programme, that helps so many veterans train, meet up and help their mental health. All councils should be doing this.”
Councillor Kate Campbell, East Renfrewshire Council Veterans Champion, said: “It is absolutely delightful to be at Barrhead Foundry for the Christmas Veterans' Breakfast. The place is buzzing with conversation. I am so very pleased and grateful to have the support of the British Legion, NHSGGC, HSCP and of course the wonderful staff of East Renfrewshire Culture and Leisure. As Veterans' Champion, it is fantastic to see so many veterans enjoying peer support.”
East Renfrewshire Council's Veterans Support Officer, Jane Duncan said: “The Health for Heroes project is the absolute highlight of my role as Veterans Advisor. I hope other Trusts adopt this amazing project that truly helps veterans daily.”
Active Health and Wellbeing Team member and Gym Instructor, Chris Vance, coordinates the Health for Heroes scheme on behalf of East Renfrewshire Culture and Leisure, and ensures they have support available for their mental and physical health. Chris added: “I'm delighted to see the scheme being so well used. The service is now a really supportive community and I'm happy to be a part of it. Hopefully we can keep growing and supporting more veterans.”
Carolynne McKendry, Active Health and Wellbeing Development Manager at East Renfrewshire Culture and Leisure, hopes to seek additional funding to allow the team to support even more veterans in 2025. She said: “We are proud to support Armed Forces veterans through the Health for Heroes Scheme. We know that having a place to be physically active, to connect with other veterans and find out about community support has been vital in helping local veterans look after their wellbeing.”
The Gaelic language is set to be celebrated around the world in less than two weeks' time as Seachdain na Gàidhlig, World Gaelic Week, gets set to return from 24th February - 2nd March.
READ MOREEastwood Park Theatre has announced its brand new programme of live music, comedy, drama, family entertainment, cinema screenings and more for 2025.
READ MORETHE organisation behind one of Scotland's most historic travel traditions is calling for young people to join its board as it seeks to capitalise on a surge in interest amongst Gen Z travellers.
READ MOREEast Renfrewshire Libraries have partnered with the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) to deliver a brand new programme of events and activities.
READ MOREHere's everything you need to know about the biggest show of its kind in Scotland!
READ MOREAward winning authors, a former SAS soldier, along with HR leaders from Scotland’s top employers are among the speakers for the CIPD Scotland Annual Conference, 2025.
READ MOREThis March, Dobbies Garden Centres is offering a new hands-on Mother's Day experience, combining a luxury Afternoon Tea with a seasonal planting workshop.
READ MOREA community orchard, tree planting and community wellbeing initiative and a local nature reserve are the first projects to benefit from the Urban Forestry Programme.
READ MOREDobbies Garden Centres is offering great value entertainment for families this February half term.
READ MOREitison Us have thousands of free respite experiences available for small Scottish charities.
READ MOREPavilion Festival has today announced the huge lineup for its third year on Ayr Beach with James, Annie Mac, Happy Mondays, Ewan McVicar, Ben Hemsley and more playing live!
READ MOREEast Renfrewshire Council hosted this year's Holocaust Memorial Day event on Wednesday 29th January and the theme was For A Better Future.
READ MOREThe National Trust for Scotland has launched an appeal to support emergency work needed to deal with the devastating destruction caused by Storm Éowyn.
READ MOREScotland’s favourite out-of-this-world event, Galactic Carnival, is preparing to launch in Glasgow this spring, promising an intergalactic adventure packed with thrills!
READ MOREThe biggest show of its kind in Scotland has partnered with Andy The Highlander to create an Enchanted Map of Scotland's most enchanted locations.
READ MOREScottish hospitality group, Signature, has launched an innovative new digital loyalty scheme to help cost-conscious customers save money dining out.
READ MORETop amateurs and handicap golfers can now sign up for one or more of Scottish Golf's 33 championships in a packed 2025 schedule.
READ MORELive Music Now Scotland is delighted to announce a funding award of £150,000 from Elizabeth Lornie's Charitable Trust.
READ MOREPavilion Festival Presents: Ewan McVicar B2B Ben Hemsley, special guest Annie Mac, along with DJ Seinfeld, Sally C, Robert Hood (Floorplan) and more on Saturday 3rd May!
READ MOREBBC Scotland's topical TV programme Debate Night returns this month and they are searching for people to be part of the big studio audience.
READ MOREVue venues across Scotland will be showcasing a mixture of the latest big screen blockbusters from China as well as an anniversary screening of Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.
READ MOREDobbies Garden Centres’ popular Little Seedlings Club and Grow How workshops return for February, inviting gardeners and families to get hands-on at these free sessions.
READ MOREEast Renfrewshire residents who joined a targeted exercise programme for people living with medical conditions have vowed to continue prioritising their health and wellbeing in 2025.
READ MOREDog owners making an environmental New Year Resolution have boosted the ranks of the “PAWS ON PLASTIC’ charity to 27,000.
READ MOREIRN-BRU and YO! are reimagining Burns Suppers, teaming up to fuse sushi with haggis to help Glaswegians celebrate Scotland's National Day with a 2025 twist.
READ MORELocal residents can delve into the past and discover more about their family tree, house history and local history research with East Renfrewshire Culture and Leisure's series of heritage sessions.
READ MOREThe Scottish Caravan, Motorhome and Holiday Home Show is delighted to announce Border Caravans as the new headline sponsor for this year's event.
READ MOREKibble Adoption, the newly launched service from the children's care charity, is inviting people to join them for an event that highlights the benefits of adoption for both parents and children.
READ MORESeachdain na Gàidhlig has unveiled details of its most diverse, ambitious and largest programme to date, bringing together speakers, learners and enthusiasts from across Scotland and beyond.
READ MOREEast Renfrewshire Council's employability service, Work EastRen, is ready to help local residents find work this New Year.
READ MORE