Funding grants totaling £200,000 secured by leading leisure operator Sheffield International Venues (SIV) are helping to improve the health and wellbeing of communities across the city.

In the last 12 months, SIV has brought in funding for a range of local activities, projects and groups to improve access to physical activity and sport, particularly for deprived areas, people suffering from health issues due to lack of fitness and those with disabilities.

SIV operates one of the largest concentrations of diverse elite and community sports and entertainment venues in Europe including the Fitness Industry Association's (FIA) Centre of the Year, FIA Club of the Year the English Institute of Sport - Sheffield (EISS) and Ponds Forge International Sports Centre.

The most recent funding grant of £10,000 was awarded by Sheffield City Council's Integrated Youth Services for Summer Camps at Concord Sports Centre, EISS, Don Valley Stadium and iceSheffield.

City of Sheffield Gymnastics Club received just under £10,000 via Sport England's Small Grants scheme for gymnastics equipment and coaching course costs at Don Valley Stadium.

The same total was secured through Sheffield City Trust and the Big Lottery (Awards for All) for one year of Teen Fitness activity at the EISS. The sessions are aimed at getting young people into regular physical activity.

Ella Macierewicz, aged 15, from King Edwards School, Sheffield, said: "The sessions are really great and professional. It is so kind of the venue to let us do this and it has encouraged me to start jogging and keep fit."

SIV helped Steel City Judo Club to secure just under £9,000 for judo mats at Concord through the Sport England Small Grants scheme.

Almost £9,000 was used by City of Sheffield Swimming Club to equip a new squad at Concord with diving boards, swim equipment and storage whilst providing them with coaching courses and costs.

SIV received £2,000 worth of Targeted Youth Support Funding to deliver holiday camps in the February Half Term at Concord to 100 young people aged 8-13.

The company was also successful in acquiring funding for two six-month positions at Ponds Forge and Hillsborough Leisure Centre for people who had been out of work for at least six months through the Future Jobs Fund in partnership with the National Skills Academy.

Rob Womack, SIV funding and grants manager, said: "In the past year, SIV has brought in £200,000 in grants helping the community get active and provide sport, physical activity and employment  opportunities to people from deprived areas and those suffering from health issues.

"We take great pride in our community role, providing excellent facilities and service alongside supportive schemes and activities for all ages and abilities. We are committed to increasing participation and improving the health and wellbeing of people across Sheffield and our grants and funding scheme is just one of many ways in which we are achieving this."

For more information visit www.sivltd.com.