GLL, the charitable social enterprise that operates seven sports and leisure facilities on behalf of Croydon Borough Council, has been recognised as one of the UK’s Top 100 social enterprises in the NatWest SE100 Index 2021.

The annual index aims to celebrate and learn from the UK’s most impressive social enterprises. GLL’s resilience during the pandemic and the efforts it made to support its customers and staff during long periods of lockdown was commended.

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With the outlook now brighter, GLL is planning for a packed summer at its ‘Better’ leisure facilities with a strong focus on activities for children and young people.  Partnering with charity Give it Your Max, Better tennis coaches will be running free weekly tennis sessions at South Norwood Primary School, coaching 120 children per day.  While at Croydon Sports Arena 25 schools sports days and multi-school athletic events will be taking place during July and August. As Covid-19 restrictions lift so community clubs are now returning, with Place for Life walking football and Downs Syndrome football back to Monks Hill Sports Centre. While New Addington Judo Club and Croydon Cougars begin training again at New Addington and Waddon Leisure Centres.

GLL’s social enterprise credentials stretch beyond its sports and leisure operation into the world of libraries - and GLL is now the UK’s largest and most innovative library operator.

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Libraries should all have a great selection of books - libraries managed by GLL have fabulous books on their shelves as well as a wide range of material online.  This is made possible through the buying power of this social enterprise and is supported by constant analysis, to make sure the selection is just what customers want.

During lockdown GLL libraries expanded their online offer dramatically and all library members can now access free magazines, newspapers, audio books and music from home. The enforced closures saw librarians become performers too, producing their own online content with rhymes and stories for children as well as quizzes, readings, poetry and even walking tours for adults.

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Because as a social enterprise any surplus generated is ploughed back into the facilities it manages, GLL has also been able to invest into state-of-the-art technology for both staff and customers. For customers, there are fixed PCs, as well as tablets for relaxed reading, and good print facilities. Some libraries have fun tech including 3D printers, VR headsets, laser cutters and robotics.

The pandemic highlighted how the digital divides works. People without digital access miss out on so much - from online shopping to zoom calls with friends and relatives.  So for anyone struggling to adapt to society’s increasing reliance on technology, GLL offers free training sessions and activities.  Currently being piloted is the ‘Borrow and Learn’ Tablet Project which offers tablets for a one-month loan period.  The tablets are borrowed, free of charge, just like library books.

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This digital innovation and customer focus led to GLL being invited to host the launch of the Department of Culture, Media and Sport’s new Media Literacy Strategy earlier this month; further national recognition of the real value the social enterprise brings to local communities every day.

www.gll.org