Mental health fears after Gateshead leisure centre closures

Mental Health North East were in the press again  this week, contributing to this article in the Evening Chronicle about the mental health impact of the recent closures (July 2023) of Gateshead Leisure Centre and Birtley Swimming pool.

https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/gateshead-leisure-centre-mental-health-27725116

In the article we told the Chronicle that the community have described the loss of the Centre as like a bereavement and called on Gateshead Council to carry out a full assessment of what impact the closures will have on the health of Gateshead residents.

The only response from Gateshead Council officials appears to be to advise affected residents to sign up for Heritage walks and use their local parks (where available). We think this response is entirely unsatisfactory, and would like the council to take much more action to mitigate the impact of closures and sustain leisure provision, which is critical to good physical and mental health, whether through the current asset transfer being explored, or some other means.

Find out more and join the campaign to save Gateshead Leisure Centre here (Save Leisure Gateshead Facebook group): https://www.facebook.com/groups/168476268429499/

and learn more about Gateshead Active who hope to take on Gateshead Leisure Centre as a Community Asset Transfer (CAT): https://gatesheadactive.co.uk/