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ANNUAL REPORT 2014/15

/yourLiveWire

@yourLiveWire

WARRINGTONBorough Council

yourLiveWire livewirewarrington.co.uk

/yourLiveWire

@yourLiveWire

WARRINGTONBorough Council

yourLiveWire livewirewarrington.co.uk

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In our third year LiveWire has continued to develop opportunities for neighbourhoods across Warrington. Financially 2014-15 was a challenging year for LiveWire. However we continued to grow income streams by 3% and were able to make an increased performance related payment to Warrington Borough Council of £310,000.

Our vision is to support Warrington residents to lead healthy, active and happy lives and this is reflected in our key achievements which include:• The successful transfer of the Active Warrington

Team from Warrington Borough Council into LiveWire, which has increased our ability to engage with our communities through sport and physical activity

• Securing the Inclusive Fitness Initiative (IFI) Accreditation, which has created more opportunities for disabled people to use our services, making our offer more inclusive

• Implementing an integrated staffing structure, so that LiveWire Advisors have the skill set to provide a direct point of contact for any leisure, library or lifestyle query

Our established Neighbourhood Hubs continue to thrive. Plans for the new Great Sankey Neighbourhood Hub are at the implementation stage with a number of key partners working with us to develop the integrated facility. The build will incorporate a dementia friendly design, our first facility of this kind, which will allow us to support the needs of residents in West Warrington and expand our offer to support mental wellbeing across the town.

Once again we have received nominations and awards that recognise the outstanding work across all of our services, including:• Won Partner of the Year award from Create Development in recognition of the work

we do to improve the quality of PE and school sport in Primary Schools• Orford Jubilee Park awarded Green Flag award• Mohamed Mahyoub, a library user, awarded the Young Adult Learner of the Year

at the national Adult Learners Week Awards• My Garden winning a Silver medal at the Royal Horticultural Society Tatton

Flower Show

The year has also been challenging for our staff. We have completed a major restructure and implemented changes to the terms and conditions of employment. However the teams have remained motivated and continued to provide an excellent service, resulting in good participation figures which show a valued and dedicated workforce.

STATEMENT FROM THE CHAIR OFLIVEWIRE’S BOARD, ALAN YATESCONTENTS

03 STATEMENT FROM THE CHAIR OF LIVEWIRE’S BOARD

05 STATEMENT FROM THE MANAGING DIRECTOR

06 WHAT WE DO

07 LIVEWIRE IN NUMBERS

10 HIGHLIGHTS

13 GREAT SANKEY NEIGHBOURHOOD HUB

14 KEY ACHIEVEMENTS

16 LIVEWIRE IN THE NEWS

17 KEY PARTNERS

18 WHAT LIVEWIRE CUSTOMERS SAY

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LiveWire (Warrington) CIC is a limited company registered in England and Wales.

Registered number 07972958. VAT registered number 134 9170 16.

Registered office Orford Jubilee Neighbourhood Hub, Jubilee Way, Warrington, WA2 8HE.

LiveWire (Warrington) CIC trades under the name LiveWire®.

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Our entire organisation is populated by individuals who are passionate about improving the wellbeing of people in the town, led by a strong management team who are committed to ensuring that Warrington becomes the most active, healthy and happy borough in the North West. The Board of Directors also provide excellent strategic support to ensure that year-on-year we continue to deliver on our mission and vision. I’d like to take this opportunity to thank all my colleagues, directors and staff for their dedicated support which has enabled us to deliver beyond expectations. I would also like to thank LiveWire members for their continued support.

Here’s to another successful year.

Alan Yates

The last year has enabled us to establish ourselves as a truly innovative company committed to improving the wellbeing of the residents of Warrington by doing things differently.

We have broadened our offer so that we can ensure as much as possible that whatever their situation and circumstance our customers get the help they need to have a better quality of life.

New areas have included the very successful Fit to Tackle programmes which have resulted in a great improvement for our customers who historically have not always found it easy to lose weight and improve their lifestyle. The work that has gone into the Great Sankey and Bewsey & Dallam developments in line with our commitment to have outstanding neighbourhood facilities has progressed at a pace working closely with our communities and partners together with our libraries being the first to access the governments free Wi-Fi installation schemes . We still have the challenge of physically improving all of our sites and we were pleased this year to be able to invest £25k in Broomfields and £3k in Woolston to improve facilities for customers, with a commitment of more to come.

We have welcomed new teams to LiveWire. The Active Warrington Team and The Macmillan Information service; together with our Dementia Friends initiatives and expanding LiveWire offer we have seen participation and membership figures continuing to increase and are encouraged that residents who have not previously participated are taking up memberships.

Our integrated wellbeing offer and staff training programme continues to be rolled out with the support and ideas from our wonderful staff, who have supported the board and the management team putting the customer first. When facing financial challenges as a result of reduced external funding the negotiated agreement with our staff and trade unions on terms and conditions enabled us to continue to develop during difficult times.

The positive results LiveWire has achieved in relation to wellbeing and participation have been recognised in 2014/15 by health, central government and national organisation’s for sport. The commitment, ideas and skills of our teams continue to make all the difference with 2016 looking promising in terms of our Company’s commercial and social contribution to our town.

STATEMENT FROM LIVEWIRE’S MANAGING DIRECTOR, JAN SOUNESS

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LiveWire is a Community Interest Company (CIC) that has managed leisure, library and lifestyle services in Warrington since May 2012. We are now the largest provider of leisure and library facilities in the town, operating two neighbourhood hubs, four leisure facilities, and 11 libraries which have attracted more than three million visitors over the last year.

LiveWire strives to promote a healthy lifestyle, increased participation in activities whilst encouraging reading and learning through the use of free access to books, IT suites and the internet. We provide value for money leisure memberships and are committed to ensuring facilities and activities are accessible for all members of the community.

As a CIC, we invest any profit back into the business and the local community to improve services and facilities for Warrington’s neighbourhoods.

Mission

To be the number one provider of affordable, inclusive Lifestyles, Libraries and Leisure opportunities in Warrington.

Vision

To be a thriving strong company with fantastic facilities in every neighbourhood area of Warrington, inspiring and supporting residents to be the healthiest, most active and happiest in the North West.

WHAT WE DO LIVEWIRE IN NUMBERS

3,657,779 NUMBER OF CUSTOMERS WHO CHOSE LIVEWIRE IN THE LAST 12 MONTHS

21,376NUMBER OF LEISURE MEMBERS TO DATE

2,376 TWITTER FOLLOWERS

1,362 FACEBOOK FRIENDS

434NUMBER OF STAFF EMPLOYED BY LIVEWIRE

NUMBER OF APPRENTICESHIPS OFFERED BY LIVEWIRE

74,358 NUMBER OF VOLUNTEERING HOURS. THAT’S ALMOST HALF A YEAR! (181.5 DAYS)

36% OF LEISURE MEMBERSHIPS ARE CONCESSIONARY

716 COMPLIMENTS RECEIVED BY LIVEWIRE

3.6% MORE PEOPLE VISITED LIVEWIRE LEISURE FACILITIES THAN IN 2013-14

532,132

THE TOTAL NUMBER OF BOOKS, TALKING BOOKS, CDS AND DVDS ISSUED IN 12 MONTHS

1,104

NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO COMPLETED THE REACH FOR HEALTH PROGRAMME

36

NUMBER OF PE AND SCHOOL SPORTS TRAINING COURSE DAYS PROVIDED

98

2,597,508 PEOPLE CHOSE TO VISIT LIVEWIRE LEISURE FACILITIES IN 2014-15

£966,371SPEND IN THELOCAL ECONOMY

30,362THE TOTAL NUMBER OF BOOKS, TALKING BOOKS & DVDS ISSUED AT THE PRISON LIBRARIES

12,731 SWIMMING LESSONS DELIVERED IN THE LAST 12 MONTHS

3,778 NUMBER OF TIMES SWIMMERS PROGRESSED TO A HIGHER STAGE OF THE ASA LEARN TO SWIM FRAMEWORK

1,328 NUMBER OF TIMES TEACHERS AND SCHOOL SUPPORT STAFF ATTENDED OR RECEIVED TRAINING

46 SCHOOLS SIGNED UP AS A LIVEWIRE PE AND SCHOOL SPORT MEMBER

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NUMBER OF LOCAL SPORTS CLUBS PROVIDED WITH DEVELOPMENT SUPPORT

197

VOLUNTEERS ENGAGED BY THE ACTIVE WARRINGTON TEAM

36,935 NUMBER OF LIBRARY MEMBERS TO DATE

698,201 NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO VISITED LIVEWIRE LIBRARIES

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STONE (285.6KG) LOST BY THE FIRST COHORT OF FIT 2 TACKLE

83% OF SMOKING REFERRALS GO ON TO QUIT

643

PEOPLE COMPLETED WEIGHT MANAGEMENT PROGRAMMES

852

NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO QUIT SMOKING WITH HELP FROM THE SMOKING CESSATION TEAM

261

NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO COMPLETED LIVEWIRE’S STAY ON YOUR FEET PROGRAMME

LIVEWIRE IN NUMBERS

PRISONERS COMPLETED THE SIX BOOK CHALLENGE AT RISLEY PRISON LIBRARY

YOUNG PEOPLE COMPLETED THE SUMMER READING CHALLENGE IN LIVEWIRE LIBRARIES

86 783

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To be the customer’s first choice for recreation, leisure, libraries, improving health and wellbeing:

• Mystery Shop process implemented across 16 LiveWire sites • Customer Care Policy reviewed and implemented• 90 staff completed Accredited Level 2 NVQ in Customer Care • Introduction of a point of sale enquiry process and implemented a member

cancellation process• Introduced a live chat link for the Lifestyles Stop Smoking team, supporting

residents online

To provide accessible, modern and well maintained facilities that cater for all customers:

• Installed WiFi within all 6 leisure facilities • Great Sankey Redevelopment project • Invested in refurbishment of Broomfields wet changing room • Installed air conditioning at Orford Park• Anti flooding tank and park gates fitted at Orford Park• Completed a Facilities Strategy for Warrington

To provide a diverse range of activities to meet the specific needs within each neighbourhood in Warrington:

• Programme of open days and seasonal festivals across sites • Introduced LiveWire’s first Spring Fayre • Successful World Book Night saw hundreds of books given away for free through

LiveWire sites • Children’s author Holly Smale visited Penketh Library • Harry Potter Events• Let’s Play programme hosted at Birchwood Leisure & Tennis Complex • 46 primary schools signed up for LiveWire PE and school sport services• 12 schools completed training in Real PE• Provided 19 pop up sports activities in neighbourhood venues across Warrington.• Delivered the first Cycle Celebration at Orford Park in September 2014, attracting

350 to the event

To address disadvantage and inequality and contribute towards a positive reduction in health inequalities:

• Agreement for LiveWire to develop and manage a neighbourhood facility in Bewsey & Dallam

• Smoking cessation brief intervention training delivered to 9 dental surgeries within Warrington targeted at those catering for patients from the 20% most deprived wards

• Launched ‘Alive’ inclusive fitness programme • Introduced Dementia Book Collections• Delivered a 6 week Rugby Reading Champions programme• Supported Women’s 10 week wellbeing / weight management programme• Worked with young volunteers to develop Library

offer and deliver reading activities• Expanded the Read to Relax offer

HIGHLIGHTS HERE ARE SOME EXAMPLES OF WHAT PROGRESS HAS BEEN MADE AGAINST OUR AIMS IN THE LAST 12 MONTHS

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LiveWire is delighted to announce the transformation of Great Sankey Leisure Centre into a neighbourhood hub, centre of excellence for health and wellbeing. The dementia friendly facility will include a fitness suite, swimming pools, sports hall, tennis courts, 3G pitch, GP surgeries, library, cafe and health and wellbeing facilities including a spa.

Construction on the first stage of the development will start later in 2015 with phase 1 of the project set to open late 2016. The £16 million project will revamp the existing centre to provide residents with a one-stop-shop for all their leisure, health and wellbeing and cultural needs. Services will be delivered by LiveWire, Warrington Borough Council, Culture Warrington, the NHS, Warrington Clinical Commissioning Group and Health Plus.

BEWSEY & DALLAM ACTIVE ZONE AND COMMUNITY FACILITY

During 2014/ 2015 LiveWire secured funding from Sport England which led to investment of £93,000 in developing the Active Zone project in Bewsey & Dallam which included 1,324 local people participating in the opportunities provided, over 14,278 visits throughout the year. This includes a free swim and transport initiative for the central neighbourhood area. This work will be supported by the agreement for LiveWire to run a neighbourhood facility in Bewsey & Dallam.

GREAT SANKEY NEIGHBOURHOOD HUBCENTRE OF EXCELLENCE FOR WELLBEING

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To increase participation in leisure, learning and health activities:

• Successful Fit to Tackle programme launched in February 2015• Launch of Bewsey & Dallam Active Zone • Launch of the Sports Mobile• Delivered the first Cycle Celebration at Orford Park in September 2014, attracting 350

to the event• Revised fitness programme, introducing quarterly fitness timetable • Undertook a review of swim programmes across sites• Reviewed opening and closing times of LiveWire sites• 44,189 visits across Active Warrington activities during 2014/2015

To achieve and maintain financial viability and deliver long term growth for LiveWire:

• Introduced Exchequer software and E-procurement function resulting in an enhanced audit trail

• Undertook a supplier price review • Increased customer retention to 9 months• Attracted £.75m in external funding • LiveWire traded with Warrington based suppliers to the value

of £230k in 2014-2015

To position LiveWire as the employer of choice:

• Restructured the company on an integrated neighbourhood basis • Introduced a revised set of terms and conditions of employment• Created a Peoples Solutions team• Implemented a process for Human Resources casework management • Programme of training and development created to meet business needs including:

• Dementia Friends training delivered to 250 employees• 90 staff completed We’re positive Cancer Rehabilitation Training

• Introduced Employee Benefits offer e.g. incentivised staff memberships• Launched LiveWire intranet, accessible from any location • Successfully delivered LiveWire Employee Awards

To develop the LiveWire Brand:

• Introduced digital marketing strategies including Search engine optimisation, pay per click campaigns and Google Adwords

• Introduced an Annual marketing activity planner linked to events throughout the organisation

• Creation of Great Sankey Neighbourhood Hub websites • LiveWire’s first digital membership sales campaign

9. Health & Safety dashboard has been implemented across all sites

10. Creation and launch of Great Sankey Neighbourhood Hub website

11. Successful transfer of Active Warrington team from Warrington Borough Council to LiveWire

12. Young volunteer, Jade Schofield addressed the Association of Senior Children’s and Education Librarians (ASCEL) national conference after winning Reading Activist of the year

13. The successful introduction of a PE and school sport membership scheme, saw 46 primary schools have signed up to receive high quality teaching and learning support

14. LiveWire is proud to hold the chairmanship of the strong and dynamic Warrington Dementia Action Alliance. The Alliance is made up of 30 organisation’s across Warrington, working together with the aim to radically improve the lives of people living with dementia and their carers. It is a privilege to be a part of such a movement

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KEY ACHIEVEMENTS

1. ‘My Garden’ won a Silver medal at the Royal Horticultural Society Tatton Flower Show

2. Orford Jubilee Park awarded Green Flag award

3. Employed 6 apprentices with Warrington Collegiate

4. Leisure, Library & Lifestyles services supported a range of National Campaigns: Stoptober, Sports Relief, World Book Night, Reading Challenge, Stop Smoking Day, Children in Need, Swimathon, National Libraries Day

5. Great Sankey swimmer Kathleen Dawson became the youngest member of the Scottish Aquatics Squad and finished 5th in 50m backstroke at the Commonwealth Games

6. Cancer rehabilitation pilot has been extended for a further 12 months with LiveWire instrumental in the delivery of restorative and palliative programmes

7. Staff integration at Orford Jubilee Neighbourhood Hub has resulted in the ability to extend the opening hours within the library setting

8. LiveWire secured funding of £108,000 from Sporta’s Make Your Move Programme which has enabled 5 sites to achieve national accreditation and provide accessible physical activity

KEY PARTNERSLIVEWIRE IN THE NEWS

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• Warrington Borough Council

• NHS

• Clinical Commissioning Group

• Macmillan Cancer Support

• St Rocco’s Hospice

• Cheshire Police

• Culture Warrington

• Warrington Wolves

• Warrington Town FC

• Warrington Guardian

• Warrington Worldwide

• Warrington Collegiate

• Citizens Advice

• Golden Gates Housing Trust

• Active Cheshire

• Create Development

• Warrington School Sports Partnership

• Warrington Disability Partnership

• Third Sector Hub

• The Gateway

• Voluntary Action Warrington

• The Reading Agency

• Time to Read

• Network Warrington

• Sport England

• Liverpool County Football Association

• Lawn Tennis Association (LTA)

• And many more

Helping smokers to

become “quitters”

LiveWire and council propose £16m

neighbourhood hub for Warrington

LIVEWIRE AIMS TO HELP MORE DISABLED PEOPLE KEEP ACTIVE

Leisure trust wins £1,000 grant

Girls represent LiveWire Tennis Academy in Portugal

Orford Park among best in countryBLOOMING BRILLIANT WIN FOR LIVEWIRE

Men shed 45 stone with Fit to TackleTRIATHLON EVENTS FOR BEGINNERS LAUNCHED

LiveWire supports national Just Read campaign

BIKE HOP WORLD RECORD BROKEN IN WARRINGTON

“ “CANCER REHABILITATION PROGRAMME – MARIAN

I have enjoyed the exercise part of the cancer programme and I will be looking to continue exercising with my husband once the 6 weeks programme has finished. The atmosphere is fantastic and I thoroughly enjoy the sessions. One of the main highlights for me is being able to talk to other patients and carers about their experiences

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WHAT LIVEWIRE CUSTOMERS SAY

Whilst attending Great Sankey Leisure Centre I bought a discounted book from the foyer I ended up enjoying the book so much I visited Penketh Library for the first time to borrow the full series. I was impressed and will be returning“ “

The tennis programme at Birchwood Leisure & Tennis Complex just keeps going from strength to strength, the team really work hard on getting the little details right“ “

In the 3 months that I have not been smoking, I managed to save some money. I bought paint and decorated my bedroom, bought a new bed and bedding, with matching curtains. Treated myself to a new sewing machine, bought a couple of tops and cropped trousers. All this would have been impossible if I was still smoking. I thank the day I walked into the drop in at Fearnhead. You changed my life for the better and probably saved it too

“ “

FIT TO TACKLE PROGRAMME - MIKE, WINNER OF FIT TO TACKLE 1:

At the start of 2015 I was a couch potato who didn’t exercise. I saw the advert for Fit to Tackle and thought I would give it a go. I never liked the gym but this looked different.

The sessions were hard, but most of all enjoyable, mainly due to those who were doing the course with me. Circuit sessions offered great variety of exercises but also a chance to push yourself and the person you were training with. Touch Rugby was a chance to build the team spirit which was in my opinion the foundations of the course.

Losing 17% body fat and 22kg and getting fitter were two of the main benefits. However, the biggest benefit of all was the friendships made and the support mechanism created amongst those who went through it with you.

Since the end of the course, I’ve continued to play rugby with the other lads and complete regular 5km Park Runs. I am now physically and mentally fitter. This is due to the Fit to Tackle course

““

“ “WINNER OF ADULT LEARNER AWARD TONY:

I found a new love for reading at Orford Jubilee Neighbourhood Hub Library. I have learnt how important and how much fun sharing stories with my daughters is. This has made lots of difference in my relationship with my girls as I now make sure I spend one-on-one time sharing books each day