Horizon’s Children’s Activities Manager: Driving Change at Horizon Leisure

Michael Whitelock has grabbed the coveted Driving Change Award at Horizon Leisure’s inaugural staff awards.

Michael, who joined Horizon Leisure just 14 months ago as Children’s Activities Manager, has been responsible for transforming Horizon’s wellbeing offer for children and young people in the area.

Michael says: “I’m so proud to have won this award! I’ve always worked in the health and leisure sector, working both as Duty Manager for leisure centres and in education providing training for schools to deliver inspiring PE lessons.  I’m passionate about the positive impact sport can have for young people, so joining Horizon Leisure and having the opportunity to develop their programme was the perfect fit.”

In just over a year, Michael has completely transformed Horizon Leisure’s gymnastics and trampolining programme. He explains: “When I joined Horizon Leisure there were gaps in the gymnastics and trampolining offerings. Classes weren’t full and operations were inconsistent. In my first four weeks I relaunched the programme and I’m thrilled to say we now offer 18 sessions per week at 90% capacity. We even have a waiting list of 200 families!

“I’ve achieved this by engaging with parents and creating a clear pathway for young athletes. I’m proud that we now offer advanced classes and are recognised locally as the go-to place for gymnastics and trampolining.”

Michael has also launched the Active Play membership for vulnerable families in the Hampshire area, giving them 12 months free access to a range of leisure facilities. The scheme has seen 60 families benefit from Horizon Leisure’s Adventure Play and Oceans of Play (soft play), plus pre-school bounce classes, pre-school gymnastics, public family swimming and even swimming lessons.  

Michael has also been supporting local home-educated families by increasing the number of daytime sessions for homeschooled children and their carers from one to eight sessions a week, offering a variety of gymnastics, trampolining and swimming lessons, at both Waterlooville and Havant Leisure Centre. In just nine months, the classes are already at 76% capacity and growing consistently.

Michael says: “We increased sessions by engaging with the local homeschooling community, understanding their needs and adapting our schedule to suit them. With homeschooling on the rise and families struggling to meet PE requirements, Horizon Leisure stepped in to bridge this gap with structured, curriculum-aligned activities. 

“By building trust and offering small, age-appropriate groups with staff trained in SEN awareness, we’ve created inclusive sessions that are now in high demand. Thanks to positive feedback and word of mouth our programme has grown, and we’re planning to expand our offerings to support even more homeschooling families.”

Mike Lyons, CEO, Horizon Leisure says: “I was delighted to present Michael with the Driving Change Award. In just 14 months, Michael has made an incredible impact on our children’s activities programme, showing exceptional leadership and vision. His dedication to enhancing opportunities for young people has been outstanding. We are lucky to have someone so passionate and driven, and this recognition is truly well-deserved. Congratulations Michael!”