Will Gardner, Assistant Regional Director, Alliance Leisure
Across the UK, local authorities are under increasing pressure to improve population health outcomes, address inequalities and maximise the value of public assets. Co-location – bringing health, leisure and community services together within a single, integrated facility – offers a practical and forward-thinking response to these challenges.
Rather than viewing leisure centres, health services and community provision as separate functions, co-located developments support a more holistic approach to wellbeing. They create accessible, welcoming spaces where residents can be physically active, connect socially and access support services as part of everyday life. In doing so, they help shift the focus from treatment to prevention.
The Case for Integration
‘Health and Wellbeing Hubs’ are increasingly being adopted as a model for future service delivery. These hubs can bring together GP surgeries, physiotherapy services, libraries, fitness facilities, cafés, community meeting spaces and children’s provision, all within a single location. For residents, this creates a convenient ‘one-stop shop’ for a wide range of services.
The benefits of this integrated approach are clear:
- Improved health outcomes: Making physical activity visible and accessible supports healthier lifestyles and helps reduce the incidence of preventable conditions.
- Stronger communities: Shared spaces encourage social interaction, tackling loneliness and supporting mental wellbeing.
- Better value for money: Co-locating services allows councils and partners to share capital investment, operational costs and assets, delivering greater return on public investment.
Importantly, effective co-location is about more than simply sharing a building. The greatest impact is achieved when design, programming and partnerships work together. For example, transparent design can help normalise physical activity, while close working between health professionals and leisure teams supports effective social prescribing and referral pathways.
The financial case is also compelling. Sport England evidence shows that every £1 invested in community sport and physical activity generates nearly £4 in social value, through improved health, reduced pressure on the NHS and stronger community cohesion.
Design That Supports Wellbeing
Alliance Leisure has worked with local authorities for over 25 years to develop and transform leisure facilities. Increasingly, this work is delivered in partnership with health bodies, supporting the integration of clinical and community services.
From our experience, successful co-located developments are underpinned by three key design principles:
- Accessibility and visibility: Locating leisure and wellbeing facilities alongside health services helps remove perceived barriers and encourages wider participation.
- Flexible, shared spaces: Multi-use studios can support a range of activity, from group exercise to specialist health programmes such as falls prevention or cardiac rehabilitation.
- A welcoming, non-clinical environment: Consistent branding and thoughtful design ensure the whole building feels inclusive, reducing the divide between clinical and non-clinical spaces.
Co-location in Practice
Clay Cross Active, a £26m community hub delivered for North East Derbyshire District Council, demonstrates the potential of this approach. The facility combines traditional leisure provision with NHS-linked and community services, including maternity clinics, consultation rooms and Citizen’s Advice services, all within a single, accessible setting.
Similarly, our long-standing partnership with Abbeycroft Leisure has seen leisure facilities adapted to support community-based health interventions delivered in collaboration with NHS partners.
For local authorities seeking sustainable ways to improve health outcomes, reduce inequalities and maximise the use of public assets, co-location offers a proven and practical solution. By bringing services together in well-designed, community-focused spaces, councils can support preventative health, strengthen communities and deliver long-term social and financial value. As pressures on public services continue to grow, integrated wellbeing hubs represent not just an opportunity, but a strategic necessity.
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