Veterans from across Oldham will be provided with special discounted memberships to use the borough's gyms and leisure facilities.

The memberships will give Oldham's veterans access to a wide range of facilities across Oldham Active's five wellbeing centres in Oldham, Failsworth, Chadderton, Saddleworth and Royton.

This includes access to more than 150 group exercise glasses, state-of-the-art gyms, racket sports courts, and swimming and sauna facilities. 

While Oldham Active has always offered discounted membership to local veterans, additional support from Oldham Council will now enable the charitable trust to offer even greater discounts - and two months completely free.

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Gareth Bryer, who served in the Royal Engineers, said: "I really enjoyed being in the Army, and the buzz of being deployed around the world.

"However, after eight years service, it was important for me to spend more time with my family.

"It can be tricky to transition back to civilian life, as when you are in the Army discipline is obviously key, and this includes physical activity and training every day.

"When you leave, that is suddenly taken away from you."

The 42-year-old continued: "I really value coming to Saddleworth Pool and Leisure Centre and train here most days, using the gym, pool, sauna and group exercise classes, including HIIT (high intensity interval training) and core.

"It has helped to ease me back to ‘normal’ life.

"After I retired from the Army, I retrained to work in health and safety and often work from home, which can be quite isolating.

"Coming to the gym gives me that opportunity for social interaction and routine.

"It is really sociable here. I have good chat with the regulars and have met other veterans here too. 

"Being active not only helps me to keep fit, but also helps with my overall emotional wellbeing.

"I would recommend the discounted membership to other veterans in the area.

"If I can do it, so can they."

Councillor Ken Rustige, who represents Failsworth East ward and is the council's Armed Forced Champion after serving in the army reserve for more than 40 years before retiring as a major, said: "Let’s make it easier for our veterans to keep physically active.

"As an army reservist, I know the commitment made by regular and reserve forces to the defence of our country.

"This change will be one way of helping those men and women who have served to benefit their health and wellbeing.”

The extra boost for the borough's veterans comes as Oldham Active decided to axe a young elite swimmers training club last month.

The club described the decision as a "big blow to sport in Oldham" which left its youngsters "distraught".

Stuart Lockwood, Chief Executive of Oldham Active, added: "We believe every veteran in the Oldham area deserves the opportunity to enhance their health and wellbeing.

"We have around 6,000 regular or reserve armed forces veterans living in Oldham and are honoured to contribute to their support.

"Our veterans have given so much in service to our country, and we are committed to giving back to them.

"We understand that physical activity can be a powerful tool for improving both emotional and physical health, and we are dedicated to helping them on that journey.

"As a charitable trust, we are passionate about offering health and wellbeing opportunities to everyone in our community.

"In addition to supporting our veterans, we proudly provide a variety of discounted memberships and pay and play opportunities for carers, care leavers, young people, students, people living with disabilities, people on benefits, those over the age of 65 and elite athletes, ensuring that all members of our community can benefit.”

Oldham Council Leader, Arooj Shah, said: "Oldham Council is working hard to improve the level of physical activity across the borough.

"Our health and wellbeing board has worked with partners to produce the get Oldham ‘Moving More’ strategy, as the positive benefits of physical activity for our physical health and mental wellbeing are well known. 

"This new discount is one extra way of helping our veterans that Oldham Council is proud to introduce.”

Got a story? Email me Olivia.bridge@newsquest.co.uk