Inclusive Fitness: Alan's Journey with Dolphin Leisure Centre

Through over 80 Places Leisure centres, we continue our commitment to engage with and meet the needs of our Communities. We aim to motivate people to become fitter, healthier, and more active members of society. Creating a place where the whole Community can come together to exercise and socialise is important to us, so we are proud to be working with British Blind Sport to explore ways in which we can increase access to those hard-to-reach Communities – one of which is those living with sight loss. 

We recently caught up with Alan Tibble, a familiar face around The Dolphin Leisure Centre. Alan's journey to fitness wasn't without its challenges. Having relocated from Lincoln to Sussex, he faced the daunting task of finding a gym that could cater to his unique needs. As a visually impaired Customer who relies on a guide dog for mobility, Alan had grown accustomed to the one-to-one support he received in navigating gym equipment.

“I thought it would be difficult or even impossible to find a gym that could offer me the sort of help I had been used to. The Dolphin in Haywards Heath has been really great in accommodating me with two, one-to-one sessions a week. 

“My trainers, Ben and Pat are very understanding of my needs and have treated me with the utmost respect. They are both highly trained and experienced and know the level of exercise to encourage me towards. I would highly recommend this gym to anyone who needs extra help with trying to increase their fitness.” 

In speaking with Ben Holden, Fitness Manager and Pat Swift, Fitness Instructor, from Places Leisure, it's clear that Alan's journey has been a source of inspiration for them as well. “Alan has been working with myself and Pat since January. He's always putting the work in and willing to challenge himself whilst not letting his disability hold him back.”

Pat shared: "Working with Alan has been extremely rewarding and something we look forward to each week, he always turns up with such a positive attitude, work ethic and an extremely loveable guide dog named Jackson. It’s amazing to see Alan try and succeed in so many new exercises such as the weight sled, boxing, resistance training and rope pulls which are all part of our new refurbishment at The Dolphin. We can't wait to see where Alan's fitness goals take him and we are proud to be part of that journey."

Alan's experience at The Dolphin Leisure Centre is more than just a success story, it's a testament to the transformative power of inclusivity. By providing tailored support and fostering an environment of understanding and respect, we're not just breaking down barriers; we're opening doors to a more inclusive and accessible fitness experience for all in our Communities.

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