Getting the vaccine just got Better

Better, the charitable social enterprise that operates leisure and sports facilities across Belfast in partnership with Belfast City Council will join the drive to boost the uptake of the Covid vaccination amongst young people.

Better is the only leisure operator in the UK to be involved in the initiative and joins a number of leading businesses across different sectors such as Asda and Uber, to have pledged their support for the vaccination programme by offering incentives to vaccinated customers.

Better is offering anyone between the age of 16 and 30 years 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.

Data from the Department of Health in Northern Ireland shows that as of 18 August, 26.9% of the 16-17 age group in Northern Ireland have been fully vaccinated against Covid-19. The Covid-19 vaccination is available for 16 and 17 year olds from seven mass vaccination centres as well as several localised walk-in clinics. Additionally, anyone over the age of 18 can avail of the Moderna vaccine from 48 community pharmacies.

Participating leisure centres will include:

• Better Gym Belfast
• Shankill Leisure Centre
• Indoor Tennis Centre and Ozone Complex
• Falls Leisure Centre
• Girdwood Community Hub
• Better Gym Connswater
• Olympia Leisure Centre and Spa
• Grove Wellbeing Centre
• Whiterock Leisure Centre
• Lisnasharragh Leisure Centre
• Ballysillan Leisure Centre
• Andersonstown Leisure Centre
• Belvoir Leisure Centre
• Brook Leisure Centre

In order to take up the offer, participants will need to complete the form available on the Better website https://www.better.org.uk/healthy-communities and follow the simple instructions. Customers will need to present their vaccination card or alternative proof on their first visit to the centre.

Gareth Kirk, Regional Director at GLL 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 14 gyms, leisure and sports centres across Northern Ireland, we will encourage many more young people to take up their vaccine.”