Press release

Greenwich Leisure Ltd wins Prime Minister’s Big Society Award

Greenwich Leisure Limited is the latest winner of the Prime Minister's Big Society Award.

This was published under the 2010 to 2015 Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government

Greenwich Leisure Limited - a social enterprise that manages over 70 public leisure centres in partnership with 20 councils across the South East - is the latest winner of the Prime Minister’s Big Society Award.

The Prime Minister said:

Congratulations to Greenwich Leisure Limited on becoming the latest Big Society Award winner.

With its passion for providing affordable leisure and fitness facilities and dedication to encouraging a wide range of people to get involved in physical fitness, GLL has shown a real commitment to improving the lives of the communities it serves.

Mark Sesnan, GLL Managing Director said:

We are really delighted to receive the Prime Minister’s Big Society Award - it is a fantastic endorsement of our charitable, social, sport, health, business and environmental goals.

Founded in Greenwich in 1993, GLL is one of the very first ‘spin out’ mutuals and we are now working in partnership with 20 councils across the South East. This year our turnover hit £80m and is set to break the £100m mark in 2011, demonstrating that community focus can also reap business benefits.

More on Greenwich Leisure

Greenwich Leisure Limited is a social enterprise that manages over 70 public leisure centres in partnership with 20 councils across the South East. They are committed to the provision of leisure and fitness facilities at affordable prices.

GLL is a mentor in the Government’s Pathfinder Mutuals ‘spin out’ programme and actively partners with a number of other social enterprises.

Find out more on the GLL website

More on the Big Society Awards

The Prime Minister recently launched a new weekly award that recognises the best examples of the Big Society in action taking place all around the country.

As well as celebrating the fantastic work already being carried out across the country, the Prime Minister hopes that the Big Society Awards will inspire many more people to get involved in their community.

On launching the awards in November, the Prime Minister said:

There are some amazing projects and remarkable voluntary work going on in towns and cities up and down the country, by all kinds of organisations from large enterprises to tiny grassroots schemes and inspirational individuals.

These awards are a chance to pay tribute to those making a valuable contribution to their community, the real champions of the Big Society, but perhaps more importantly, I hope they will motivate many others to take action, get involved and drive change in their area.

Individuals, businesses, charities, community groups and other organisations are all eligible if they illustrate the Big Society in action.

These might be:

  • People or groups who are bringing their community together and helping to give people more power to take decisions and shape their area
  • People who are transforming our public services, staff setting up their own cooperatives, or new providers or frontline staff finding innovative ways to deliver better services to the public
  • Or people who are giving their time and money to help others, the unsung heroes changing lives in every neighbourhood of the country.

People can submit nominations via the website form. Nominees will then go through a selection process which will eventually involve a panel of previous winners and individuals from civil society organisations, Government and the private sector.

Award winners will receive a certificate from the Prime Minister and will be invited to a regular Big Society Award Winners Reception at Downing Street.

Read more: Nominate a Big Society Award winner

Published 14 December 2010