The Louisa Centre

18/06/2026

🎯 Looking for a fun way to stay active, meet new people and try something different?

The Move County Durham team are running their FREE Move, Mingle & Sports sessions here at our centre every Wednesday at 2:15pm.

Activities vary from week to week and can include:
🏓 Table Tennis
🎾 Pickleball
🏹 Archery
🎯 New Age Kurling

There's something for everyone, with activities suitable for a range of abilities, followed by a cuppa and a chat afterwards ☕😊

Here's what one participant had to say:

⭐ "It was a most enjoyable experience which accommodated a range of abilities of the people that attended."

⭐ "I would recommend it to anybody that enjoys good company, fun and a bit of exercise."

No need to book – just come along and get involved!

For more information, please contact the Move County Durham team:
📧 [email protected]
☎️ 03000 262539

18/06/2026

📞 DAY 6 – KNOW WHAT TO DO IN AN EMERGENCY 📞

Today's Drowning Prevention Week tip is all about being prepared.

As part of our swimming lessons, we teach children how to call the emergency services and what information they may need to give in an emergency. You might be surprised to learn how many children don't know the correct emergency number for the UK, with many confidently telling us it's "911" instead!

While 911 may be used in films, TV programmes and online content, the emergency number in the UK is:

📞 999

Make sure children know:

✅ How and when to call 999
✅ Their home address
✅ How to ask clearly for help and explain what's happened

Many children spend time outdoors playing with friends, cycling, visiting parks, or exploring their local area. If something goes wrong near water, knowing how to contact the emergency services quickly could make a huge difference.

🛟 These simple skills could save a life.

💙 Why not practise together tonight? Ask your child what number they would call in an emergency and see if they know their home address too.

💙 Help us spread this potentially life-saving advice. Please like, comment, share, and save this post so you can easily find it again if you ever need it. The more people who see these water safety tips, the more people we can help keep safe around water.

18/06/2026

🏆 We have been nominated for 3 x Centre of the Year 2026! 🏆

We are delighted to share that three of our thrive centres have been nominated for the prestigious Ukactive Centre of the Year award, and you can help your centre to win!

The centres nominated for the award are:
⭐ Teesdale Leisure Centre
⭐ Consett Leisure Centre
⭐ Spennymoor Leisure Centre

Vote for your Centre of the Year by following the link below. Voting ends 2nd July.

Thank you for your support and for helping our centres to thrive! 💙

🔗 https://thriveleisure.co.uk/index.php/thrive_news_item/we-have-been-nominated-for-3-x-centres-of-the-year-2026/

17/06/2026

🧗‍♂️ Ready to reach new heights? 🧗‍♀️

Challenge yourself on our exciting climbing wall experience! Perfect for adventurous children looking to build confidence, have fun, and test their skills! 🌟

Not just children, adults can climb too!

💥 NOW ONLY £5.50 per person! 💥

📅 Opening Times:
⏰ Thursday - Friday: 16:30 - 20:30
⏰ Saturday - Sunday: 09:30 - 16:30

✅ Age 4+
✅ Minimum weight: 20kg
✅ Maximum weight: 100kg

Book your climb and see how high you can go! 🧗

*T&Cs apply.

17/06/2026

🛟 DAY 5 – LEARN TO FLOAT 🛟

Today's Drowning Prevention Week tip focuses on a simple skill that could save your life: learning to float.

If you become tired, unexpectedly enter deep water, or find yourself struggling to swim, floating can help you stay calm, conserve energy, and give you valuable time to recover and call for help.

Remember:

✅ Lie back
✅ Stay calm
✅ Spread your arms and legs
✅ Focus on your breathing

Floating isn't just for strong swimmers – it's a vital water safety skill for everyone. The more relaxed you are, the easier it is to stay afloat.

💙 Floating can help save energy until help arrives, or until you're able to safely make your way to the side.

💙 Help us spread this potentially life-saving advice. Please like, comment, share, and save this post so you can easily find it again if you ever need it. The more people who see these water safety tips, the more people we can help keep safe around water.

17/06/2026

⚽🏆 Today’s the Day! 🏆⚽

After four years of waiting, the moment has finally arrived.

Working in an industry dedicated to health, wellbeing and fitness, we understand the passion, commitment and determination it takes to perform at the highest level. There is no greater stage than the World Cup, and no greater challenge than competing against the very best in the world.

Today, we’ll be joining millions of fans in cheering on the lads as they battle it out on the world stage for their place in the hall of fame. For in the words of Andrea Bocelli , “this is more than just a game.”

From all of us here, we wish the lads the very best of luck. We’ll be watching, supporting and cheering every step of the way.

🦁🦁🦁 Come on England! 🦁🦁🦁

16/06/2026

🛟 Thinking about becoming a lifeguard?

Our upcoming RLSS UK National Pool Lifeguard Qualification (NPLQ) course still has spaces available, but with the course fast approaching, now is the perfect time to get booked on.

Gain a nationally recognised qualification, learn valuable lifesaving skills, and open the door to lifeguarding opportunities in the leisure industry.

📅 Course Dates: 28th, 29th & 30th June and 1st, 2nd & 3rd July 2026
📍 The Louisa Centre, Stanley
💷 £245

A swim test must be completed before booking, so don't leave it until the last minute!

To arrange your swim test or find out more:
📞 0300 262 444
📧 [email protected]

Could this summer be the start of your lifeguarding career? 🏊‍♂️🚨

We're now taking bookings for our upcoming RLSS UK National Pool Lifeguard Qualification (NPLQ) course at The Louisa Centre.

Becoming a lifeguard is more than just sitting poolside – you'll learn vital lifesaving skills, develop confidence, work as part of a team, and gain a qualification recognised throughout the leisure industry.

📅 28th, 29th, 30th June & 1st, 2nd, 3rd July 2026
⏰ 08:30 – 17:30
📍 The Louisa Centre, Stanley
💷 £245.00

✔ Nationally recognised qualification
✔ UCAS tariff points available
✔ Great stepping stone into employment
✔ Full attendance required

⚠️ A pre-course swim test must be successfully completed before payment can be accepted and your place confirmed on the course.

To book your swim test or find out more, contact reception on 03000 262 444 or email [email protected].

Spaces are limited, so don't leave it too late to secure your place.

16/06/2026

🛟 DAY 4 – HELP, DON'T JUMP IN 🛟

Today's Drowning Prevention Week tip focuses on something that surprises many people: if someone is struggling in the water, jumping in to rescue them is often not the safest option.

When a person is in difficulty, they may panic and instinctively grab onto anything they can reach to keep themselves afloat. Unfortunately, that can put would-be rescuers at risk too, potentially turning one casualty into two.

You also may not know what caused the emergency in the first place. Cold water shock, strong currents, underwater hazards, deep water, exhaustion, or medical emergencies could all be factors.

If someone is in trouble in the water:

📞 Call 999
🗣️ Shout for help
🛟 Throw something that floats
🤝 Reach with a stick, pole, rope, or towel if it is safe to do so

The safest rescue is often one where you stay on land and help from a place of safety.

💙 Never put yourself in danger.

Teaching children how to help safely is just as important as teaching them how to swim. Knowing what to do in an emergency could one day save a life.

💙 Help us spread this potentially life-saving advice. Please like, comment, share, and save this post so you can easily find it again if you ever need it. The more people who see these water safety tips, the more people we can help keep safe around water.

15/06/2026

🎉 Looking for the perfect place for the kids to burn off some energy? 🎉

Come and enjoy our fantastic multi-level soft play area featuring 🛝 slides, 🚶 ramps, and exciting 🎯 TAG technology!

💷 Prices:
👶 Under 1s - £1.50
🧒 Over 1s - £5.50
🎯 TAG Band - £1.00

🕒 Opening Hours:
📅 Mon - Fri: 09:00 - 19:00
📅 Sat - Sun: 09:00 - 16:00

Fun, adventure, and active play all under one roof! 🌟

15/06/2026

🌊 Good news! 🌊
Our Small Pool is officially back open and ready for you! 🏊‍♂️

We can’t wait to welcome everyone back for swimming sessions, lessons, and family fun. See you poolside! 💙