About us

In 1993, a small team in Greenwich had an idea: that leisure centres could be run for the people who use them, not just for profit. That idea grew into GLL, a charitable social enterprise.

GLL now run almost 400 leisure centres, libraries and cultural venues up and down the country. Chances are, there's one near you. As we're a charitable social enterprise, every penny we make gets reinvested straight back into the facilities and services you use. No shareholders, just better facilities and services for everyone.

Our staff have a stake in Better as part of our co-operative structure. It means the people looking after your local centre have a voice in the organisation and a shared commitment to your community.

• Facilities you're proud to have nearby. We run leisure centres and libraries we want to be the best in the country, not just good enough.
• Support that fits you. From swimming lessons to health referral schemes, we're here to help you move more and feel better, whatever that means for you.
• People who are genuinely invested. We're a staff-owned co-op, so the people working in our centres have a voice in the business and are committed to your wellbeing.
• Every penny reinvested in you. No shareholders, no profit-taking - just better facilities and services, funded by what we make.
• Doing our bit for the planet too. From cutting waste to reducing our reliance on fossil fuels, we're working on it.

We're cutting our environmental impact, less reliance on fossil fuels, less waste, so there's a healthier planet for the communities we serve.

Good service is a given. What sets us apart is how far we'll go for you and the community around you.

We're a business for good. We want to be a force for positive change in the lives and opportunities of the people we work with.

Everyone deserves the chance to be active and healthy, including people facing economic, health or social disadvantage. That's central to what we do.

We listen, and we act on what you tell us. Your feedback shapes how our centres and libraries run.

We want to be the best staff-owned organisation in the UK, because when our people feel valued, you feel it every time you visit.

sport, leisure and cultural services accessible, high-quality and affordable for everyone. Every penny we make goes straight back into these services, and into your community's wellbeing. 

Across the UK, we partner with local authorities, health services, charities and social businesses to support healthier, stronger communities. Through the Healthwise programme and a range of additional community services, our dedicated teams are here to help people stay healthy, well and connected. 

Every penny we make goes straight back into these services, and into your community's wellbeing. 

That's also why we set up the GLL Sport Foundation and GLL Literary Foundation, giving people the opportunities, resources and support they need to develop their talents and reach their potential. 

The UK's largest independent athlete support programme, helping talented athletes overcome barriers and achieve sporting success. 

We work alongside partners including SportsAid, SportsAid Wales, the Mary Peters Trust and National Governing Bodies of Sport to support athletes on their journey. 

Through funding and access to essential services, we help athletes develop their potential and perform at their best - supporting over 3,100 athletes across the UK every year. 

A national programme championing the power of reading, working with libraries, authors and communities across the country. 

We support emerging children's authors with mentoring and development opportunities, helping bring new voices and stories to life. Working with The Reading Agency, we help inspire young readers with stories that reflect a wide range of experiences - keeping libraries thriving as places of creativity, learning and connection.