COUNCILLORS have toured the Forest of Dean’s four leisure centres to see the facilities and programmes available to communities across the district.

Forest of Dean District Council cabinet members visited centres in Cinderford, Lydney, Newent and Sedbury, which are operated by not-for-profit leisure trust Freedom Leisure.

During the visits, councillors met staff, toured the centres and heard about activities aimed at helping residents of different ages remain active and improve their wellbeing.

Facilities and services across the four sites include swimming, gyms, fitness classes, sporting activities and health and wellbeing programmes.

Councillors were also shown recent improvements at several of the centres and heard about work being carried out to improve the experience for customers.

The district council works in partnership with Freedom Leisure to provide leisure services across the Forest of Dean, with the centres also intended to provide places for residents to meet and take part in community activities.

Cllr Jackie Dale, cabinet member for thriving communities, said the visits had demonstrated the range of services being provided.

She said: “Our leisure centres play an important role in supporting healthier lifestyles, bringing communities together and providing opportunities for people of all ages to stay active.

“We are committed to working with Freedom Leisure to ensure residents continue to benefit from quality leisure facilities.”

Iona Keyse, area manager at Freedom Leisure, said staff had been pleased to welcome councillors and show them the work taking place across the four centres.

She said teams worked to create welcoming environments where residents could improve their health and wellbeing, develop new skills and meet other people.

Ms Keyse added that the centres offered options for people looking to use a gym, go swimming, attend fitness classes or simply become more physically active.

Further details about facilities, memberships and activities are available from individual leisure centres or through Freedom Leisure.