Seventy-five free three-month memberships for Lincoln residents on a cancer journey

Seventy-five Lincoln residents living with cancer can now access free three-month memberships at Better's Yarborough and Birchwood Leisure Centres, following specialist training that enables staff to support people affected by cancer.

Three members of staff across the two centres have achieved Level 4 Cancer Rehabilitation Instructor qualifications thanks to funding from the Lincolnshire Voluntary Engagement Team (LVET).

The new qualifications mean that the leisure centres, operated by GLL, the charitable social enterprise behind the Better brand, can deliver tailored exercise and rehabilitation support for the first-time to people living with cancer through the Better Healthwise scheme.

Exercise can play an important role in supporting physical and mental wellbeing during and after cancer treatment. The Healthwise programme provides participants with one-to-one tailored support and all-inclusive access to Yarborough and Birchwood leisure centres’ gym, pool and group exercises.

Louise Mellows, GLL Healthwise Coordinator for the City of Lincoln, said: "Evidence has shown that physical activity can help prevent or manage many of the conditions that people living with and beyond cancer may face, so we're delighted that we can now offer this specialist service. Thanks to this funding, we're able to provide 75 free three-month memberships for eligible Lincoln residents, giving more people the opportunity to access tailored support from our qualified instructors."

Anyone interested in accessing one of the 75 funded places should speak to their GP, hospital team or Macmillan nurse, who can arrange a referral.  More information about the Healthwise scheme can be found here https://www.better.org.uk/what-we-offer/activities/healthwise or contact the Healthwise Lincolnshire team at [email protected]