A social enterprise that operates leisure and sports facilities across Greenwich is helping to drive the uptake of the Covid vaccine among young people.

Better, the charitable social enterprise that operates municipal leisure and sports facilities across Greenwich on behalf of the Royal Borough of Greenwich has been invited to join the Department of Health and Social Care’s drive to boost the uptake of the Covid vaccination amongst young people.

It is offering anyone between 16 and 30 years old a £10 voucher to be used against any membership at a Better-operated leisure facility and a three-day free pass to any of its leisure centres or gyms.

Participating leisure centres across the borough include:

Charlton Lido & Lifestyle Club

Coldharbour Leisure Centre

The Eltham Centre

The Greenwich Centre

The Plumstead Centre

Thamesmere Leisure Centre

Waterfront Leisure Centre

To take up the offer, local residents should complete the form on the Better website.

Customers will need to present their vaccination card or alternative proof on their first viist to their local Better leisure centre or gym.

Mark Sesnan, Managing Director at Better said: “As soon as we heard about the campaign to incentivise young people to get vaccinated, we wanted to get involved. As the UK’s largest operator of municipal leisure facilities, we know the value of regular exercise on our mental and physical health and this has been further highlighted during the pandemic. We also know that having all adults double vaccinated plays a crucial role in our battle against COVID-19, so we wanted to help.

“We hope that by offering free passes and discount vouchers to our 235 gyms, leisure and sports centres across the UK, we will encourage many more young people to take up their vaccine.”

Vaccines Minister Nadhim Zahawi said: “Over 70% of young people aged 18 to 29 have now had their first jab – another superb milestone in our historic vaccination programme.

"A big thank you to all the companies who are helping us to protect the country – I urge everyone to get the jab and get shopping with these excellent discounts.”

Teenagers within three months of turning 18 can now book their vaccine appointment online through the National Booking Service or by calling 119. Vaccination sites across the country are working hard to complete the rollout with more than 300 sites already offering the jab to 16 and 17 year olds, including GP teams who began vaccinating eligible teens last week.

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