Blackbridge Community and Sports Hub

23/06/2026

☀️ HOT WEATHER REMINDER ☀️

With temperatures set to remain high, we'd like to encourage everyone using our outdoor pitch facilities at Blackbridge Community & Sports Hub to take extra care in the heat.

💧 Bring plenty of water and stay hydrated
🧢 Wear suitable clothing, a hat and sunscreen where appropriate
🌳 Take regular breaks in shaded areas when needed
⚽ Listen to your body and avoid pushing through symptoms such as dizziness, nausea or excessive fatigue
👥 Keep an eye on teammates, friends and family members, particularly older adults and those who may be more vulnerable to the heat

We know many of our users enjoy staying active outdoors and can make informed decisions about attending, but we encourage everyone to consider the conditions and take sensible precautions to stay safe.

Take care, stay cool and enjoy your activity responsibly. ☀️

Bottled water, cold drinks and ice creams are available to purchase indoors! 😎

Blackbridge Charitable Community Benefit Society
Rugby For Heroes

22/06/2026

Shout out for The Venture and their summer activities!

It's also great to be working in partnership with The Venture Community Hub to help more children and young people enjoy movement.

Freedom Leisure offers plenty of opportunities for children and juniors to build confidence, make friends and have fun while staying active.

Ask us about our children's activities and junior memberships today! 💜

https://www.freedom-leisure.co.uk/centres/blackbridge-community-and-sports-hub/enquire-now-options/


Blackbridge Charitable Community Benefit Society

Exciting News!
Join Us for a taster session tomorrow at 4pm 😊💙

22/06/2026

🌳 Help Shape the Future of Your Local Green Spaces! 🌳

We’re inviting all Blackbridge Community & Sports Hub users and local residents to get involved in an exciting new project to improve the green spaces at Scott Avenue and Cole Avenue in Podsmead.

These spaces are really important to our community - but we know there’s so much potential to make them safer, more welcoming, and more useful for everyone.

💡 This is your chance to have your say!

Together with Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust and partners including Gloucester City Homes, Gloucester City Council and Blackbridge Charitable Community Benefit Society, we’re working on a community-led design process - which means your ideas will shape what happens next.

🌼 What could these spaces become?

We want to hear your ideas on things like:
Nature and wildlife areas 🐝
Food-growing spaces or orchards 🍎
Better paths, seating and safer access 🚶
Places for play, exercise and relaxation ⚽
Outdoor community spaces for everyone

🗳️ The best ideas will be developed and put to a public vote - so the final plan truly reflects what the community wants.

This is about creating green spaces that work for you - supporting health, wellbeing, nature and community life for years to come.

👉 Keep an eye out for ways to share your ideas online and in person – we’d love to hear from you!

https://bit.ly/4g4upuV



https://www.gloucestershirewildlifetrust.co.uk/

The Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust is the leading wildlife charity in Gloucestershire and the local partner in a conservation network of 46 Wildlife Trusts.

20/06/2026

At Blackbridge Community and Sports Hub, we're continually inspired by everyone who shows us that age, arthritis, pain, joint replacements, health conditions, or mobility issues don't have to define what you're capable of.

Shelley-Anne joined a gym for the very first time at 71 and has already experienced significant improvements in her arthritis, strength, mobility, energy levels and overall wellbeing.

John and Christine, both in their 70s, have undergone several joint replacements between them, yet they continue to make movement part of their daily lives.

And it all helps to maintain their independence, stay mobile, support their health, get out and meet people, and keep doing the things they enjoy most.

Their stories highlight an important message: staying active as we age is one of the best things we can do for our muscles, joints, bones and overall health and well-being.

Regular movement can help:
✅ Reduce joint pain and stiffness
✅ Improve strength, balance and flexibility
✅ Support recovery from musculoskeletal conditions and joint replacements
✅ Maintain independence and confidence
✅ Improve mood, energy levels and sleep quality
✅ Reduce the risk of falls and frailty

Most importantly, it reminds us that healthy ageing isn't about slowing down - it's about finding ways to keep moving that work for you.

At Freedom Leisure, we welcome all ages and abilities - and if you have a health condition, are returning after injury or surgery, or are simply looking to stay active and meet people - you'll find support, encouragement and community with us.

💙 It's never too late to start. It's never too late to feel stronger. And it's never too late to keep moving forward.

https://www.freedom-leisure.co.uk/age-uk-act-now-age-better/?c=16170

Age UK Gloucestershire
Blackbridge Charitable Community Benefit Society
Gloucester City Homes
NHS Gloucestershire

💙

19/06/2026

We were proud to attend this year's Big Health Day at Oxstalls Sports Park joining an incredible range of organisations committed to improving health, wellbeing and inclusion across Gloucestershire.

Events like this highlight the power of partnership working. By working together with local authorities, health services, community organisations and voluntary groups, we can help ensure that everyone has access to opportunities to improve their physical health, mental wellbeing and social connections.

At Freedom Leisure, inclusion is at the heart of everything we do. Through our Healthy Communities programme, accessible activities, volunteering opportunities and supportive environments, we strive to remove barriers and help people become more active in a way that works for them.

We were also delighted to share information about our inclusive membership offers, available to people in receipt of Personal Independence Payment (PIP). This provides access to our facilities and activities at a reduced cost, helping to make health and wellbeing more affordable and accessible for those who may benefit most.

A huge thank you to Active Gloucestershire Gloucestershire Gateway Trust HLS Gloucestershire ReConnect Gloucestershire Beezee Cotswold District Council and all the partners, volunteers and attendees who made the day such a success. Together, we're building healthier, more connected communities across Gloucestershire.

Blackbridge Charitable Community Benefit Society
Gloucester City Homes
Gloucestershire County Council
Gloucestershire
NHS Gloucestershire
We Are Undefeatable
Age UK Gloucestershire

17/06/2026

We're proud to have attended a number of jobs and careers events across Gloucester and the Cotswolds recently, working alongside some fantastic partners who share our commitment to helping local people build brighter futures.

At Freedom Leisure Healthy Communities, we know that being out of work is about so much more than job applications and interviews. Confidence, wellbeing, social connection, and good physical and mental health all play a vital role in helping people take their next step.

That's why we're delighted to work alongside Gloucestershire County Council Connect to Work programme and a range of local partners, supporting people not only into employment, training and volunteering opportunities, but also helping them improve their health and wellbeing through affordable access to leisure, fitness and community activities.

Through Exercise Referral, wellbeing programmes, fitness classes, gym access, swimming, volunteering opportunities, work experience placements and simply becoming part of a supportive community, staying active can make a real difference to confidence, resilience and readiness for work.

Job seekers or those in receipt of benefits can enjoy a range of support options, and concessions may be available.

And you don't need to be a member to enjoy the activities and opportunities available across our centres.

If you'd like to find out more about what Freedom Leisure Healthy Communities can offer across Gloucester and the Cotswolds, we'd love to hear from you.

Together, through partnership, we're helping people become healthier, happier, more confident and better connected to local opportunities.

Enquire now!
https://www.freedom-leisure.co.uk/centres/blackbridge-community-and-sports-hub/

Gloucester City Homes
Blackbridge Charitable Community Benefit Society
Department for Work and Pensions - DWP
Gloucestershire Gateway Trust
University of Gloucestershire
Hartpury
We Are Undefeatable
One Church Podsmead

16/06/2026

👀 Curious about what makes Blackbridge Community and Sports Hub special? Pop in during our opening hours for a friendly tour! Our welcoming front desk team is ready to show you around our studios, social spaces, and top-notch facilities. Whether you’re looking to get active, meet new people, or just explore, we’re here to answer all your questions. 😆

Ready to discover your new favourite spot? Find directions to our site here – https://shorturl.at/pMTJs

Blackbridge Charitable Community Benefit Society

15/06/2026

🌍💙 A Week of Inclusion, Community and Learning 💙🌍

Last week, Willow joined our Healthy Communities team for work experience, gaining first-hand experience of how physical activity, partnership working and community engagement can help tackle health inequalities and improve lives.

Throughout the week, Willow:

✅ Observed Cardiac Rehabilitation Phase IV
✅ Participated in Stretch & Mobility classes
✅ Supported a Postnatal Mother & Baby session
✅ Observed an Aqua Aerobics class focused on joint-friendly health and wellbeing
✅ Consulted with residents in supported housing, including people living with dementia and disabilities
✅ Attended the NHS Big Health Day and Bourton Leisure Centre carrying out blood pressure checks as part of the Heart of the Game project
✅ Explored opportunities to improve access for culturally diverse communities
✅ Learned about leisure centre operations, data analysis and community programme planning

Most importantly, Willow saw how Healthy Communities is about far more than exercise - it's about creating opportunities, reducing barriers, tackling inequalities, and ensuring everyone feels welcome, represented and supported.

Thank you, Willow, for your enthusiasm, compassion and commitment throughout the week. We hope this experience has inspired you as much as you've inspired us. 💙💚💜

Active Gloucestershire
Blackbridge Charitable Community Benefit Society
Gloucester City Homes
Oxstalls Sports Park
HLS Gloucestershire

🌍💙💚

10/06/2026

Join us for Social Club every Wednesday! 🎉

✅ Meet new people
✅ Enjoy a drink
✅ Have fun in a relaxed atmosphere

📍 Blackbridge Community & Sports Hub
🕖 From 6pm



Blackbridge Charitable Community Benefit Society