Remembrance Sunday – 9 November 2025
Tomorrow marks Remembrance Sunday, and this year we also reflect on the 85th anniversary of the evacuation of Allied troops from Dunkirk — a moment of immense courage and sacrifice.
At thrive, we will observe a two-minute silence at 11:00 …am tomorrow (and on Tuesday 11th) across our centres to honour all those who served and gave so much.
We invite members, visitors, and staff to join us in taking a moment to pause, reflect, and remember.
We’ll be hosting Walking Cricket taster sessions here at Freeman’s Quay Leisure Centre every Monday this month, open to men and women of all ages and abilities. It’s a relaxed, social and fun way to stay active and meet new people.
📍 Freeman’s Quay Leisure Centre, Durham
…🗓 3rd, 10th, 17th & 24th November
⏰ 4.00 – 5.00pm
📝 Register your interest: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/SLW33N7
Read more about it here: https://rebrand.ly/0z4nuor
⭐ Healthy Habits – Moving with Asthma ⭐
Asthma is a long-term inflammatory disease of the airways of the lungs, with over 5 million people in the UK living with the condition.
Although there is no cure, medical and lifestyle management of the condition can greatly improve …symptoms.
Brought to you by an actual asthmatic, here are some suggestions on how you can safely move with asthma.
✔️ Talk to your doctor – if you're at all unsure about your asthma symptoms and movement, medical advice is always the first step.
✔️ Start slow – if you are currently inactive, introducing small amounts of exercise can really add up. Try a ten minute walk every day until you feel comfortable, then add in another ten minutes and repeat.
✔️ Conscious breathing – consider an activity that encourages focus on the breath, including swimming and yoga. Again, remember to start small and talk to your instructor before you go into a class.
✔️ Carry your reliever – if you have a reliever inhaler (the blue one), make sure you carry it with you when you're exercising for peace of mind.
✔️ Believe in yourself – moving with asthma can feel like an uphill battle. Keep taking small steps, and you will start to notice changes.
For more information on living with asthma, visit the NHS website.
Find out about asthma, a common condition that affects breathing, including the symptoms, treatment and how it affects your life.
www.nhs.uk
🌸HerSpace – Women’s Wellbeing & Peer Support Group – Now on Wednesdays! 🌸
We’re excited to share that our women’s group has a new day and venue!
📅 Starting Wednesday 12th November 2025
🕕 6:00pm – 8:00pm
📍 Auckland Communal Room, Auckland, Waldridge,… DH2 2UA
This friendly, welcoming group is open to all women aged 18+ who’d like to meet new people, connect with others, and enjoy some time for themselves in a supportive space. 💬💖
Together, we create a safe place where women can feel heard, understood, and valued. Activities are chosen by those who attend and may include:
✨ Walking & gentle exercise
🎨 Crafts & creative sessions
💆 Pampering & complimentary therapies
🌿 Fun social activities – and much more as the group continues to grow!
Please note: this is not a crisis or counselling service, but we can offer signposting and referral support if needed.
💌 Spread the word! Please share this post with any women who might like to come along – everyone is welcome.
If you have any questions, feel free to message us. We’d love to see you there! 💕
Relax… it's stress awareness day. 🧘
Stress is a significant factor when it comes to our overall health and wellbeing, and managing your stress is equally important as taking care of your physical health.
Here's our quick tips on managing stress in your daily …life.
✅ Talk to someone – if you feel like stress is starting to take over, reach out – help is available.
✅ Move your body – physical activity can help your body manage stress by preparing it to handle stress hormones.
✅ Break it down – divide large tasks into smaller, more manageable steps to make them feel less overwhelming.
✅ Remember to breathe – when you're in a hot moment, try some controlled breathing. Inhale for 4 seconds, hold for 7, and exhale for 8, repeating the cycle to calm your nervous system.
✅ Take the time to write down your thoughts before bed. This can help to get things off your mind for the moment, preventing rumination interrupting sleep.
For professional support, visit the Durham County Council community mental health support website.
👉 https://www.durham.gov.uk/article/32514/Community-mental-health-support
Remember, stress won't disappear overnight – small changes every day will add up to a big difference overall.
#thriveDurham #DurhamLeisure #Fitness #Leisure #Gym #Swim #Swimming #Workout #StressAwarenessDay #StressManagement
We're heading into fireworks season, so we'd like to start this month by taking a moment for all your furry friends. 🐶
Fireworks can be scary for pets, so it's important to make sure they are made to feel safe and comforted by their humans. ❤️
Here's our… top tips on helping your pet stay calm and well during fireworks season.
🐾 Talk to your vet – they may be able to offer solutions such as herbal remedies and training suggestions to help your pet relax
🐾 Keep them indoors at peak times – take your dogs for a walk early, and bring your cats in before it gets dark
🐾 Stay with your pet – keep them company, offer lots of cuddles and remember to give them space if they need it
🐾 Minimise noise – close windows and curtains, and keep your pets away from windows if possible
🐾 Play calming sound – classical music or nature sounds work well as calming sounds for animals (check out Classic FM's Pet Classics programme on the 4th and 5th of November)
If you've got any top tips for helping to take care of animals during fireworks, pop them in the comments below.
#thriveDurham #DurhamLeisure #Fitness #Leisure #Gym #Swim #Swimming #Workout #2025 #November #BonfireNight #Fireworks #PetSafety
💙 he thrives 💙
We are proud to announce the launch of he thrives a campaign celebrating men in County Durham who take part in physical activity. The initiative recognises their achievements, highlights the wide range of opportunities available to support men’s health and wellbeing …and encourages others to get involved.
Running throughout November, and in recognition of Movember and International Men’s Day, he thrives will celebrate men who thrive through physical activity and community involvement. From volunteers and grassroots coaches to gym members and elite athletes, the campaign shines a light on men making a positive impact in their communities.
Alongside regular activities, the campaign will offer a host of additional opportunities for men across County Durham to get active, try new things, and connect with friends, colleagues and local support networks.
https://thriveleisure.co.uk/index.php/activities/he-thrives/
Something sinister lurks at Freemans Quay Leisure Centre this Halloween…
Our special guest Chucky stopped by, and let’s just say — chaos followed! 😈
Watch the video and see what kind of havoc he’s been up to… 👀 #HalloweenAtFreemansQuay
🎃💚 Happy Halloween from thrive! 💚🎃
Half term might be coming to an end, but the fun definitely isn’t! Keep the energy high this Halloween weekend with our thrilling activities across County Durham 👻
💥 TAG Active and Climb at The Louisa Centre – take on the …ultimate challenge and test your skills.
💥 Abbey Adventure at Abbey Leisure Centre – bounce, slide and tag your way through spooky fun!
💥 Bowling at Peterlee – strike up some family competition and laughter. 🎳
Perfect for ghosts, ghouls, and giggles — there’s something for everyone at thrive this weekend. 🕸️
📲 Book your Halloween weekend adventures now:
👉 thriveleisure.co.uk
#thriveleisure #HalfTermFun #HappyHalloween #SpookyWeekend #FamilyActivities #TAGActive #Climb #AbbeyAdventure #Bowling