145 Ukrainian refugees are making good use of free health memberships offered at leisure centres in Bath and North East Somerset, operator Better has revealed.
Anastasiia Bielkovska and her brother Artem at Bath Sports & Leisure Centre | Photo courtesy of Better
The charitable social enterprise recently announced an extension of its free gym and leisure centre membership scheme for refugees, from three to six months.
Anastasiia Bielkovska, her mother and her brother, have been in England since the beginning of May, after leaving Ukraine when the war started.
They stayed in Poland for a couple of weeks, then France, before finding a safe place here in the UK. The family now lives in Twerton in Bath.
Born in Mariupol, Anastasiia and her family lived in Odessa before the war. The 18 year-old has been a member at Bath Sports and Leisure Centre since August, where she and brother, Artem, enjoy going to the gym several times a week.
Anastasiia has also found work at a restaurant in Bath.
Commenting on her free membership, Anastasiia said: “I’m really enjoying being a member and try to go as often as I can.
“I can see and feel the results of taking part in my gym sessions and I’m happy that I’ve been able to keep up my fitness. Everyone has been really friendly.”
Speaking about the initiative, Mark Harrison, Community Sports Manager for Better, currently seconded to Bath and North East Somerset Council as its Project Officer for Leisure, said: “We’re delighted to continue supporting Ukrainian refugees in our area.
“The initiative has been such a success, with 145 people taking up Better Health UK Funded Refugee Memberships with 112 of those enjoying the facilities at Bath Sports and Leisure Centre.
“Access to the facilities means that we can support their mental and physical health, both of which benefit from taking part in exercise.
“It’s also great that people like Anastasiia and her family can find company and a sense of community here, which is important to everyone.”
Anyone wishing to apply for the free refugee membership scheme should complete an online form.
