As part of its one-year anniversary, Be Well, Tower Hamlets leisure and wellbeing service, has marked a first year of delivery with a community giveaway, strong resident engagement and further commitment to investment in local facilities.
Launched in May 2024 following the conclusion of the council’s contract with GLL (Better), Be Well was created to provide inclusive, community-led leisure services focused on holistic health, participation in physical activity and barrier-free access – especially for women and girls, older adults, and residents with or at risk of long-term health conditions.
To celebrate the anniversary and thank residents for their support, Be Well ran a borough-wide giveaway linked to a community survey, receiving 2,842 responses.
Key findings from the survey found that 84% of respondents rated the Be Well brand (name, logo, look and feel) as good or excellent.
72% reported being satisfied or very satisfied with the facilities at their local Be Well centre, including gyms, pools, and changing rooms.
The giveaway winner, Shazmin Begum, received the first-ever Be Well membership card, granting one year of free membership and five day passes to Be Well The Spa.
In its first year, Be Well recorded a total of 37,277 members across leisure centres, with a shift in gender inclusion – 82% of members are now women, up from just over 40% before the service was brought in-house.
In addition, 19,150 free swim memberships have been taken up by women and girls aged 16 and over and men aged 55, removing barriers to accessing physical activity.
Continued investment for 2025-26
Looking ahead, Be Well is continuing to invest in the borough’s leisure infrastructure, and continue to listen to direct feedback from residents. Planned improvements include:
- Mile End Outdoor Pitches – Full upgrades with new 3G rubber crumb surfaces, fencing, floodlights, and goals. Work began in June 2025, with reopening expected in August 2025.
- Women-only gyms – Reconfigured and enhanced at Poplar Baths and York Hall.
- Health suite upgrades – Ongoing improvements at Whitechapel and Mile End Leisure Centres.
- Changing village improvements – Major updates at Mile End Leisure Centre.
- New water inflatables – to be available across centres with swimming pools.
Cllr Mohammed Kamrul Hussain, Cabinet Member for Culture and Recreation said:
“Be Well is a powerful example of what’s possible when leisure is brought back into local hands.
In just one year, the service has delivered a remarkable increase in participation, especially among women and older adults, while maintaining a focus on inclusion, quality, and community connection.
We’re proud of the impact Be Well is already having and we look forward to deepening that work in year two and beyond.”
Be Well will continue to evolve its offer in 2025 and beyond, listening to residents and ensuring services remain welcoming, affordable, and community-led.
Posted on Thursday 21st August 2025