Following the success of the sessions in 2024, Serco Leisure has announced the expansion of its free to attend night-time running and walking clubs, which will be offered on each of its contracts in support of This Girl Can’s ‘Let’s Lift the Curfew’ campaign.

This Girl Can (TGC) is an initiative by Sport England, funded by the National Lottery, launched in 2015 to celebrate a realistic vision of women and exercise in England and to tackle the gender activity gap. In October 2023, TGC introduced its Let’s Lift the Curfew campaign, which looks to showcase women’s stories and concerns around getting active outdoors in the darker months.

TGC research from 2024 showed that around one in four (24%) women ensure they take well-lit routes, almost a quarter (23%) avoid certain areas altogether and one in five (20%) glance behind them to ensure they’re not being followed, while exercising after dark.

Steve Nelson, Director, Leisure, said: “As part of Serco Leisure’s Active Health and Wellbeing strategy, we’re proud to continue our support of This Girl Can’s ‘Let’s Lift the Curfew’. Dark nights should not mean anyone has to miss out on the many physical and mental health benefits of staying active.”

Sarah Berne, Serco Leisure’s National Active Wellbeing Manager, added: “These sessions are designed to offer a safe, inclusive, and welcoming environment, led by trained health and fitness staff. Participants are also provided with high-visibility gear to enhance safety during the walk or run.

“Let’s Lift the Curfew is now a fixed part of our active wellbeing winter programme, which means we’ll be offering it this year, next year and every year until something like this just isn’t needed anymore – when the perceived ‘curfew’ that some women genuinely feel has finally been lifted.”

Serco Leisure manages over 50 centres in the UK, on behalf of clients such as local authorities, Sport England, and the national charity for wheelchair sport, WheelPower.