West Lothian Leisure shortlisted for two ukactive Awards

West Lothian Leisure, West Lothian’s Community Leisure Trust, which operates six Xcite venues, two golf courses, and leisure facilities at nine community schools across the county, has been shortlisted at this year’s UKactive Awards in two categories: Physical Activity Hero and Outstanding Leadership Team.

The UKactive Awards celebrate excellence and innovation across health, wellbeing, and fitness nationally, shining a light on the added value that organisations bring to the leisure sector by promoting the importance of leading a healthy lifestyle and getting more people, more active, more often. West Lothian Leisure is one of a handful of Scottish Leisure Trusts to be shortlisted for these prestigious awards.

One of the charities’ long-standing employees, Avril Clerkson, has been shortlisted for the Physical Activity Hero Award. This award recognises a superstar individual who demonstrates exceptional dedication to physical activity, as well as a tireless ability to inspire and motivate people to be more active. Avril has over thirty years of experience at West Lothian Leisure and has been thoroughly dedicated to improving the lives of others by helping them become active, keep active, and increase their physical health and well-being.

Avril established the Xcite Ageing Well programme back in 1998, leading this initiative designed to get people over 50 more active until she retired from this role at the end of 2023. This successful programme was designed to create opportunities for older people to be as active as possible through physical activities such as line dancing, walking, and social groups including Knit and Natter and Singing for Health. Avril is still leading group fitness classes, and as part of her role with Xcite, she was pivotal in establishing the West Lothian Care Activity Network, collaborating with care home providers from across the region to bring physical activity to residents, increasing their activity levels and encouraging social interactions.

The Outstanding Leadership Team Award acknowledges a high-performing leadership team that has overcome significant challenges or changes through effective strategies, staff development, and inspirational leadership.

Ben Lamb, CEO of West Lothian Leisure, said: “As one of the few Scottish Leisure Trusts to be shortlisted, it is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the whole team at West Lothian Leisure to be recognised on a UK-wide stage in not just one, but two, award categories.”

“We are so proud of Avril, who, with over thirty years of experience at West Lothian Leisure, has been instrumental in transforming so many people’s lives through her drive and passion to get people active, stay active, and increase their physical health and general well-being. She is truly inspirational and is thoroughly deserving of this award.

“Significant changes were made over the last eighteen months, in order for us to continue to thrive as a charity going forward and continue to offer West Lothian residents opportunities to live healthier, happier, longer lives. The Outstanding Leadership Team award shortlisting is reflective of the whole team effort across the charity over this period. We are immensely proud of our people, and hugely grateful for our customers’ ongoing commitment to the Trust.”

The overall winners of the UKactive Awards will be decided by public vote, which is now live on the UKactive website. Voting closes on 30 August 2024.

The UKactive Awards Ceremony will take place on 3 October 2024 at the International Convention Centre in Birmingham. A full list of finalists can be found on the UKactive website here: Finalists announced for the ukactive Awards 2024 – find out who’s made it! | ukactive