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 \u00a31. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Wellness Wednesday will take place next week, and will resume every week in January.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It is open to all members of the community, not just students or staff at the University of Sheffield.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“Everyone is feeling the pinch at the moment,” he said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The UK is currently facing a cold-snap, with temperatures in South Yorkshire today feeling as low as -3 degrees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Access to Sport Sheffield services have been offered at reduced rates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Wednesdays are active days at Sport Sheffield, which gives Wellness Wednesday attendees the chance to interact with other members and watch sports fixtures. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“There’s definitely a strong link between being physically active and mental health, without a doubt,” he said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mr Cox expects the initiative to do well in the New Year, acting as a stress-buster for students during the exam period.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“We’re not chasing numbers, we’re just giving it back, and we’ll see how it goes,” he said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The next Wellness Wednesday session takes place on 14 December at Sport Sheffield Goodwin Sports Centre, Northumberland Road.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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