Big Sister Project

In 2022, we teamed up with Women in Sport to launch the Big Sister project, establishing a network of Big Sister ambassadors across our centres who empower and enable girls to enjoy sport, exercise, and physical activity during puberty.

After a successful rollout in 11 of our centres, we’re pleased to say that the Big Sister Project will be rolled out nationally this August for girls aged 9-15.

Since its introduction, the initiative has hit some major milestones. Women in Sport research shows 64% of girls now enjoy taking part in sport and exercise more and 62% said their overall confidence has improved. This is a great nod to how when given the right support, girls are more motivated to get active.

Girls who sign up for the Big Sister membership will receive the benefits of a Junior membership and access to our exclusive WeMove group exercise sessions. 11-15 year olds will also be able to access the gym during Junior Gym hours along with Junior classes. Memberships will be free for those who meet the eligibility criteria*, and offered at a 50% discount for all other girls.

Breaking down barriers

Sarah Roberts, Head of Fitness at Places Leisure said: “We have learnt so much about preconceptions and barriers in place when looking to engage girls going through puberty into activity. We needed to challenge ourselves, in our sector we’re all comfortable in the environment, we needed to step away from our comfort zone & try to put ourselves into the shoes of 9-15 year old girls, who may be in period poverty, tackling puberty, have low self-confidence and not even thought of interacting with their local leisure centre.

Ensuring that the girls feel heard is really important, the programme was and is still shaped by the girls, for the girls. The girls within the programme have given us continuous feedback and still shape class delivery content today.

We, as Places for People and Places Leisure feel part of something special and important with our teams involved in the programme so far being proud to be delivering such a game changing programme.  

Never forget the power of community engagement – taking the project out to schools, clubs and community settings, dispelling myths, talking openly about puberty & periods was a challenge as it can be seen a bit of taboo subject, Big Sister gives us the opportunity to talk openly and engage on a large scale.

We must do the groundwork and set the foundations, we can’t just open the doors and expect girls to show up. By offering free membership & activities, girls can come along with friends and siblings, in a safe and supportive environment, meaning they don’t take that first step on their own.

I am hugely proud of everyone who has played a part in the development and delivery of the Big Sister programme to date, our national rollout plan will ensure that we engage with more girls within the communities we serve and ongoing work to shape differing delivery models to suit community-based settings will only help to keep extending the reach of this fantastic programme.

I hope you enjoy being part of the Big Sister movement – we really are changing girls lives for the better!”

Exciting times are ahead! Girls aged 9-15 simply need to come to their chosen centre with a parent/guardian to sign up.

Find a centre

*Membership is free for girls whose parent/carer/guardian can provide proof of eligibility: date of birth, student ID, corporate ID, Housing Benefit, income support, Job Seekers Allowance, Working Family Tax Credit, Disability Allowance, Carers Allowance, or Universal Credit. 50% discount from our Junior membership is offered to girls who can’t provide this proof. Proof of eligibility must be presented at centre within 14 days of joining.

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