A brand new initiative at Sport Sheffield has been announced, which allows customers to enjoy their swimming pool, sauna, steam room, and tea and coffee on a Wednesday for just £1.
Wellness Wednesday will take place next week, and will resume every week in January.
It is open to all members of the community, not just students or staff at the University of Sheffield.
Andrew Cox, director of sport and physical activity at Sport Sheffield, said the idea started from conversations around the cost-of-living crisis and wanted to give people the opportunity to use their facilities to get warm.
“Everyone is feeling the pinch at the moment,” he said.
The UK is currently facing a cold-snap, with temperatures in South Yorkshire today feeling as low as -3 degrees.
The programme will run until the end of January but Mr Cox said the discounted Wednesday sessions could run until Easter if they prove to be successful.
The sports centre has also committed to helping refugees through work with Sheffield-based charity, ASSIST, which offers sanctuary to those who have been unsuccessful in their asylum applications.
Access to Sport Sheffield services have been offered at reduced rates.
He said: “It’s just a nice thing to do and feel like you’re contributing back in to the city and to the people of Sheffield.”
Wednesdays are active days at Sport Sheffield, which gives Wellness Wednesday attendees the chance to interact with other members and watch sports fixtures.
Mr Cox said turnout at Sport Sheffield has not decreased despite the financial pressures, which he said may be down to people wanting to get active to beat the winter blues.
“There’s definitely a strong link between being physically active and mental health, without a doubt,” he said.
Mr Cox expects the initiative to do well in the New Year, acting as a stress-buster for students during the exam period.
“We’re not chasing numbers, we’re just giving it back, and we’ll see how it goes,” he said.
The next Wellness Wednesday session takes place on 14 December at Sport Sheffield Goodwin Sports Centre, Northumberland Road.
