Our Impact Stories
Five stories showing how Edinburgh Leisure creates social, economic and environmental impact across the city.
At Edinburgh Leisure, We Put People Above Profit
As part of the UK-wide #SeriouslySocial campaign this June, we’re sharing five stories that highlight how Edinburgh Leisure creates social, economic and environmental impact across the city. From improving health and wellbeing to strengthening communities and embedding more sustainable ways of working, these examples bring that impact to life.
At the heart of it all is a simple idea: people above profit.
As a charitable trust, we reinvest everything we can back into our services, spaces and programmes – ensuring more people across Edinburgh have the opportunity to be active, feel better and belong.
We’re #SeriouslySocial about
Health & Wellbeing
Our mission is to transform Edinburgh’s health and wellbeing by reducing barriers, innovating delivery and engaging people and communities in being active. We work closely with the City of Edinburgh Council, NHS Lothian, and voluntary sector partners across the city to support those facing the greatest barriers to improved health and wellbeing.
From a walker to school pick-ups
Meet Jennifer.
After a broken back and serious illness, Jennifer was relying on a walker and struggling with everyday movement.
Edinburgh Leisure’s Balanced Life programme helped her rebuild strength step-by-step – from walking support, to independence, to everyday life again.
Today, she’s back doing something she thought she might have lost: picking up her grandchildren from school.
What this story shows
Jennifer’s story shows how the right support can help people rebuild confidence, maintain independence and return to the activities that matter most
How we respond
Balanced Life is just one of Edinburgh Leisure’s community-based health and wellbeing programmes, helping people to stay active and independent after illness or injury through structured support
Working in partnership
In partnership with the Edinburgh Health and Social Care partnership, Balanced Life is integrated with NHS Lothian’s Falls Prevention and Management Framework
Looking ahead
By March 2027 Edinburgh Leisure aims to spport more than 3,000 older adults across Edinburgh to reduce their falls risk – helping more people to stay active, connected and confident in everyday life
We’re #SeriouslySocial about
The Community
In the heart of local communities, our venues provide welcoming places and spaces where people can connect, be active together and thrive.
The challenge that started with one member
Meet our community.
What began as an idea between swimmers at Leith Victoria has grown into a city-wide challenge across Edinburgh Leisure’s historic pools.
This April, participants took on a 16km walk and 5km swim across five venues, raising over £40,000 for Active Communities to support people across the city.
By helping the idea grow, Edinburgh Leisure brought people together around a shared challenge – creating opportunities for local communities to connect, be active together and support others to take part.
We’re #SeriouslySocial about
Employment & Skills
Our people are our greatest asset. Through initiatives such as our Aquatics Training Academy, King’s Trust partnership programme, apprenticeships and volunteering opportunities, Edinburgh Leisure creates clear pathways into employment and skills development that support people to progress and thrive.
She started volunteering at 14. Now she teaches here
Meet Eilidh.
Eilidh approached Edinburgh Leisure at Gracemount Leisure Centre through her Duke of Edinburgh Award, looking for experience doing something she already enjoyed.
What began as a volunteering placement quickly turned into something more, as she built skills, gained confidence and progressed into formal training.
Today, she works part-time as a Swim Teacher at Gracemount while completing her final year of school, turning early volunteering into her first steps into employment.
What this story shows
Volunteering, training and the right support can help people build skills and take meaningful steps into employment
How we respond
For 20 years, Edinburgh Leisure’s Aquatics & Lifesaving Training Academy has helped people gain qualifications, confidence and practical experience
Working in partnership
Working with the King’s Trust and the Rural and Urban Training Scheme helps us widen access to training for young people
Looking ahead
Through training and employability partnerships, Edinburgh Leisure continues to create accessible routes into employment across the city
We’re #SeriouslySocial about
Inclusion
At Edinburgh Leisure, we welcome everyone and value people’s differences. We work to create inclusive, accessible opportunities that enable all communities to be active and live healthier, happier lives.
The sessions that changed what weekends look like
Meet Danny and Andor.
Danny and Andor take part in ASN swimming and multisport sessions at Gracemount Leisure Centre, where activites are adapted to individual needs and delivered in a calm, structured environment.
Over time, familiar routines, consistent support and trusted staff have helped them build confidence, take part regularly and enjoy being active together.
For their families, the sessions have also changed what weekends look like – giving them time to rest and recharge while their children are safely supported.
We’re #SeriouslySocial about
The Environment
Edinburgh Leisure is committed to tackling climate change by reducing emissions, contributing to net zero and embedding sustainable practices across our operations. Our Green Champions play a key role in inspiring colleagues and communities to get involved.
The idea that grew into award-winning change
Meet Ed.
What started as a simple observation in everyday life became a city-wide sustainability project at Edinburgh Leisure.
Inspired by how food waste was handled at a family member’s home, Ed shared an idea that led to on-site composting across multiple venues.
Today, we are turning food waste into nutrient-rich compost that’s reused across Edinburgh Leisure sites – and the project has gone on to win national recognition for sustainability.
Read More About Our Impact
Edinburgh Leisure’s latest Impact Report for 2024–2025 highlights key achievements in line with our strategic goals. We celebrated record-breaking attendance, exceeding 30,000 fitness members in March 2025, and in October, Gracemount Leisure Centre was named Scottish Centre of the Year at the UK Active Awards 2024. We also introduced new activities including Evolve Hyrox at Meadowbank, as well as new bouldering facilities and a new bouldering room at EICA Ratho.
Previous Impact Reports
