Better supports national fight against Covid

Better leisure centres across the land are playing their part in the national Covid response – repurposed as much-needed community testing and vaccination facilities.

 Despite being closed to leisure customers since Boxing Day (or earlier in some cases) under Tier 4 restrictions, many centres have reopened for the NHS and are now staffed with public health workers and an army of volunteers, serving thousands of people a day as the UK battles the pandemic.

Better Centres currently recommissioned in this way include:

London Covid Testing Sites:

Gurnell Leisure Centre, Finsbury Leisure Centre, Hendon Leisure Centre, Waterfront Leisure Centre, Kensington Leisure Centre, Burnt Oak Leisure Centre, Hackney Marshes, Sobell Leisure Centre, Phoenix Fitness Centre

Regional Covid Testing Sites:

Carterton Pavilion

London Covid Vaccination Welfare Centres:

Poplar Baths Leisure Centre and Gym

Regional Covid Vaccination Centres:

Bath Pavilion, The Grove Wellbeing Centre

Centres operated by Better under the MCRactive brand:

Regional Covid Testing Sites:

Debdale Outdoor Centre, Moss Side Leisure Centre, Belle Vue Sports Village

Regional Covid Vaccination Centres:

Manchester Tennis and Football Centre

An additional 15 Better sites are being scoped at the present time.

Better’s Head of Community Resilience Craig Parker said:

 “As a social enterprise, Better has local communities at its heart and has always supported community resilience during the pandemic.

 “Last Spring, sites were readied as temporary hospital recovery wards and furloughed staff were redeployed as community hub volunteers delivering food and medicines to those most vulnerable, shielding at home.

 “This latest deployment means we are continuing to support the battle against Covid with the ultimate aim of getting our customers back enjoying the activities they love, as soon as possible.”

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