Kore Sandwell

Empowering Sandwell to live healthier, more active lives.

As Sandwell Leisure Trust (SLT) launches its rebrand to Kore Sandwell, we take a look at its story in Sandwell and how partnership working has seen a transformation of what’s on offer to help us live healthier, more active lives here.

Making active lives a priority

After a challenging period for facilities and the council’s operations post Covid, work was needed to revitalise how SLT and Sandwell Council would work together to deliver a better offer for residents.

A partnership soon strengthened, supported by officers, councillors, board members and the SLT leadership team, who along with its new board members, brought a clear vision and commitment of how to work together.

Today, SLT – now Kore Sandwell – delivers high-quality, modern facilities, that empower communities to live healthier, more active lives.

Investing in facilities

Over the past two years, in partnership with Sandwell Council, SLT has invested over £1m in upgrading its leisure facilities, all with the goal of enhancing the experience for residents and creating high-quality, inclusive spaces for the community.

• Sandwell is a growing hub for elite sport too, specifically at Sandwell Aquatics Centre, which is delivering on its Legacy promise.
• Refurbishments at Wednesbury Leisure Centre, Portway Lifestyle Centre, Tipton Leisure Centre and Tipton Sports Academy have modernised our fitness spaces and introduced cutting-edge equipment such as EGYM and Speedflex – the first of its kind in the region
• Major sporting events including the British Diving Championships – Olympic Trials, GB & England Diving Camps and international squads such as South Africa’s Olympic team and the Great Britain Waterpolo Squad using our venues
• 3x Padel courts were also opened at TSA, the first across the Black Country and have already seen huge success.
• Through sustained investment, centres have been ungraded with fully equipped gyms, swimming pools, dynamic studio spaces and a wide range of fitness classes for all ages, demographics and abilities.

“By creating first-class facilities that service our community and welcome world-class athletes, we are building a lasting legacy of health, pride and performance across the Sandwell region” explains Mark Braithwaite, CEO of Kore Sandwell.

Digital transformation

The transformation has included;

• Introduction of PerfectGym, cloud leisure management system
• New Customer Relationship Management system to better understand and connect with customers
• Hirebob, new AI Customer Service agent, that helps to communicate and respond to customers more efficiently
• Poolside, swim teachers and using tablets to track progress and manage lessons in real time, improving communication and delivery
• Making smarter use of fitness data. Intelligent KPI reporting that gives insight into exercise habits and customer trends, helping to shape services and meet the needs of the community.

The team also won the Outstanding Leadership Award which is voted for by the Industry, a fantastic recognition of the developments and direction of the organisation.

Healthier partnerships

“At Kore Sandwell, supporting the health and well-being of our community is at the heart of what we do. Through our strong partnerships and targeted programmes, we’re helping local people leader healthier, more active lives” adds Mark Braithwaite.

Launching the Exercise Referral programme, saw SLT working closely with GPs, healthcare partners and the Sandwell Public Health team to support people with long-term health conditions. It offers personalised guidance to increase physical activity and improve overall well-being.

At Portway Lifestyle Centre, they work with Adult Services, the NHS, the Albio Foundation and the Portway Family Practice. As a fully inclusive centre, they actively encourage people with disabilities across Sandwell to take part in physical activity and use its facilities with confidence.

SLT’s Recovery and Wellness Initiative, developed with Public Health, promotes physical activity as a powerful tool in supporting individuals recovering from substance misuse. They also partner with Sandwell Council of Voluntary Organisations (SCVO) to strengthen the local voluntary and community sector. SLT has made grant allocations of circa £10,000 across six local clubs and organisations to help deliver inclusive physical activity and wellbeing programmes beyond its core services.

People

Over the past few years SLT has introduced a range of positive initiatives to support its workforce and deepen community connections including Thrive at Work, a West Midlands-wide initiative that puts employee health and wellbeing at the heart of workplace culture. With around 400 employees, 55% of whom live locally, its committed to growing its team from within the community.

It reintroduced employee surveys, doubling response rates and relaunched work experience placements to inspire the next generation. Based on feedback, it opened up its staff membership scheme to include family members, with 259 staff and family memberships in place, plus 29 on its swimming lesson scheme.

It launched the Learning Hub alongside a dedicated training post to help staff develop their skills, both internally and commercially. It’s E-Learning Hub has made training more accessible across the Trust, giving staff flexibility to learn at their own pace.

Its Apprenticeship Programme continues to grow, with nine new apprentices joining this year and more planned. Through its partnership with CIMSPA, they’re supporting professional qualifications for staff and contributing to the wider skills landscape through the CIMSPA Local Skills Accountability group. In addition, the team have had around 7 pupils locally undertake work experience at its facilities, helping to introduce careers within sport at a younger age.

Read about how Sandwell is making sport for everyone here

Visit the new Kore Sandwell website and find out about the affordable facilities across Sandwell and how you can improve your health and wellbeing.