08/03/2026
Happy International Women’s Day! ♀️
To celebrate International Women’s Day, Parkwood Leisure has officially become a signatory of the International Working Group (IWG) on Women & Sport’s Brighton Plus Helsinki Declaration.
By signing the Declaration, the family-owned leisure operator – which recently celebrated its 30th anniversary – joins a global network of over 600 organisations committed to gender equity and the empowerment of women and girls in physical activity.
For Parkwood Leisure, this commitment is deeply rooted in its core mission: improving the health and happiness of the local communities it serves. The organisation recognises that, to truly impact community wellbeing, it must proactively address health inequalities where they are most pronounced.
Far more than a corporate policy, Parkwood’s focus on Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (ED&I) is a vital tool for community outreach. By adopting the principles of the Brighton Plus Helsinki Declaration, Parkwood aims to further break down barriers that prevent women and girls from getting active, ensuring that its facilities remain inclusive spaces that foster both physical health and mental happiness.
Hannah Gilday, Head of Healthy Communities & Partnerships at Parkwood Leisure, said: "We are committed to gender equity and equality in sport and physical activity through our policies and programmes, and we believe our strategic goals align with the values of the Declaration.
“Becoming a signatory reflects our unwavering commitment to advancing equity for women and girls. It matters to us because it reinforces our dedication to provide inclusive, safe, and empowering environments where every woman and girl can thrive within physical activity."
The Brighton Plus Helsinki Declaration is an international treaty that provides a roadmap for organisations to develop a culture that enables and values the full involvement of women in every aspect of sport and physical activity.
Parkwood Leisure’s inclusion as a signatory aligns them with major global entities such as the International Olympic Committee (IOC) as well as sports federations and parliamentary committees from across the world, who have also pledged to uphold these standards.
Annamarie Phelps, CBE OLY, Chair of the IWG UK Secretariat and Co-Chair of the Global Executive, added:
"We are delighted to welcome Parkwood Leisure to our global community. Their long-standing commitment to community health and their focus on tackling health inequalities make them a perfect advocate for the principles of the Declaration. International Women’s Day is the ideal moment to celebrate this partnership and the work ahead."
IWG Women & Sport
