Places Leisure
proud to be part of the Big Sister project
Free and discounted gym memberships for girls
Are you aged between 9 and 15 and looking for a way into physical activity? You're in the right place!
In 2022, we partnered up with Women in Sport to launch the Big Sister project, establishing a network of Big Sister ambassadors across our centres who empower and enable girls to enjoy sport, exercise, and physical activity during puberty.
Sign up to the Big Sister Project
Jump to:
• What is the Big Sister Project?
• How do I sign up for the Big Sister Project?
• What the girls think of the Big Sister Project
• Why we're proud of the project
• Where is my nearest leisure centre?
What is the Big Sister Project?
The programme helps girls aged 9-15 in target areas feel ‘sport ready’ by recruiting a network of ‘Big Sisters’ – peer leaders and supporters from sport, school and community organisations. Sport leaders will be trained on the emotional and physical barriers girls face.
As part of our commitment to helping girls get into activity we are offering a free membership to girls who meet the eligibility criteria*, or a 50% discounted membership for all other girls, which includes:
- Unlimited gym use during Junior Gym hours, which includes a gym induction (11-15 year olds)
- Unlimited swimming
- Age appropriate group workout classes including exclusive We Move classes
- Friendly on-site team, to support you through your activity
- Free access to Places Leisure App and Virtual Studio which includes a Big Sister channel
How do I sign up for the Big Sister Project?
We know that not everyone has the same goals and not everyone progresses at the same speed, that's why our team are on hand to provide a friendly voice to talk to, a professional opinion to achieve the best results possible and a positive outlook to maintain that encouragement all the way.
The Big Sister membership is available at all of our centres. If you are interested in finding out more or signing up, please complete the form below, selecting the 'Junior membership (Big Sister)' option for the first question.
Please be aware that your parent/guardian must attend site for your initial signing up process.
Ellie's story
Ellie is just one of the thousands of girls who has joined us on the Big Sister Project, signing up at Places Leisure Eastleigh.
Read about how the Big Sister Project has helped Ellie build confidence to exercise without her mum, something that she had struggled with prior to discovering our range of We Move classes.
Big Sister Project - Ellie's story
Ellie joined us at Places Leisure Eastleigh, and has flourished with her confidence and fitness greatly improved.
Here's what Ellie has to say about the Big Sister Project;
"I’m not a very athletic person, I don’t enjoy P.E. at school and rarely get involved but I wanted to find some enjoyment in a workout whatever shape that came in. I did used to join in with Family Circuits with my mum and brother. Then I heard about ‘We Move’ a class designed for girls my age (11-15) and for girls only. I haven’t missed one session yet!
"We go in the gym and do workouts in there, the teacher shows us how to use each piece of equipment and weights correctly whilst doing a workout. I walk out with my legs killing me but it’s a good feeling! I always planned to do gym sessions on my own eventually now I know where the things are that I want to use and how to use them without being embarrassed of getting something wrong. Sometimes we do a circuits in a classroom again as this is girls only for my age we all get along and have become friends.
"So happy now I have my own place to work out without my mum or brother tagging along, this workout is for me and I love it! Thanks Places for Leisure team!"
What Ellie's Mum had to say
"My daughter has always wanted to enjoy working out as we are an active workout type of busy family but never really found what worked for her. She’s never really engaged with school P.E. and I don’t force it as I was her age once and remember I didn’t enjoy it either. However since she has joined the ‘We Move’ classes it’s been a game changer for her, she truly enjoys each and every session there and I cant wait for me and her to do gym sessions together now she has found her confidence within a gym environment, maybe she can even show me a thing or two.
"I would personally and absolutely recommend this class to girls who want to do more activities but not got the confidence to go it alone, or maybe just starting out and not sure what is right for you: start in the We Move class and you will be so pleased you did."
What the girls say
We're proud that the girls that join us on the Big Sister Project and We Move classes have shared a huge amount of positive feedback on their experiences.
Read a selection of feedback below;
"The classes have made me feel happier and open to exercise. The free period products available have helped too"
"I stopped exercising as much when I started my periods as I found I was more tired and struggled to get motivated. The classes I find are a brilliant mix of all exercise and I find the instructor so enthusiastic that on the days I don't have much energy the music in the class and the instructor encourage me to carry on."
"I have completed two weeks of the We Move classes, and I didn't do any exercise before this. I never had the confidence to go into the gym so the we move classes seemed to be the best option for me to feel comfortable and to get active and I will defiantly be continuing with them."
"The impact of this project on young girls is huge. The change in their engagement from their first sessions is huge and their changes in confidence are noticeable. The girls offer their contributions to group discussions and feel like they can come to me about things they might be struggling with."
"I found that my confidence was low, and I was so embarrassed to exercise or scared to go into a gym, my mum told me about the Big Sister Project. Me and my friend joined up and went to the gym together. A lovely lady helped us and made us feel welcome and then we decided to try the classes she told us about. I feel so much more confident from starting to exercise now and feel silly for worrying in the first place."
Why we're proud of the project
Led by our Head of Fitness, and winner of the Active Citizenship Award at the 2024 EuropeActive Event, Sarah Roberts, the Big Sister Project has been a huge success since we launched it at Places Leisure.
Here's what Sarah has to say about Big Sister;
"Ensuring that the girls feel heard is really important, the programme was and is still shaped by the girls, for the girls.
We, as Places for People and Places Leisure feel part of something special and important with our teams involved in the programme so far being proud to be delivering such a game changing programme.
I am hugely proud of everyone who has played a part in the development and delivery of the Big Sister programme to date.
I hope you enjoy being part of the Big Sister movement – we really are changing girls lives for the better!”
Not sure where your nearest centre is?
Search below to find your local Big Sister facility
Terms and conditions
*Membership is free for girls whose parent/carer/guardian meets one or more of the following criteria:
Full-time students aged 26 or over, selected corporate groups (NHS, Emergency Services, MOD - including military veterans, RNLI and those working in education), those in receipt of one of the following; Housing Benefit, Income Support, Job Seekers Allowance, Working Family Tax Credit, Disability Allowance, Carers Allowance or Universal Credit, and current tenants of a Places for People property.
Proof of eligibility required.