GLL, operating under the brand Better, is a social enterprise organisation which runs sport and leisure facilities, on behalf of local authorities across the UK.
With a focus on leisure facilities in Belfast, we are running a series of features looking at stories of members and how they got involved in their local leisure centre.
Grace Watkins, a lifeguard at Olympia Leisure Centre, is originally from Brighton in England, and has worked at GLL for three years.
"I have been a lifeguard since I was 16-years-old, she said. "I saw a post on social media from GLL looking for a lifeguard and I have been working for three years now.
"As well as a lifeguard I am also a swimming coach up in Andersonstown Leisure Centre.
"My day starts early. I would come into work for around 5.30am and do the daily checks.
"Being a lifeguard is so important. I take my job very seriously and I am always doing training courses to keep my skills up to a high level."
Grace recalled two incidents she was involved in as she came to the aid of two leisure centre users.
"I have been involved in two major incidents at Olympia. The first was a cardiac arrest suffered by a gentleman who would be a regular. Thankfully, we were able to successfully re-start his heart using a defibrilator.
"Around this time last year, I was on the pool side by myself and a young fella took a epileptic seizure in the pool. I was able to stabilise him until emergency services arrived.
"You have to pay attention at all times. Seconds matter when there is a major incident and it is all about springing into action as quick as possible.
"When you look back it sounds a bit frightening but in the moment the training kicks in.
"I think having a lifeguard provides reassurance for anyone. We welcome everyone into the centre and having a lifeguard there provides that peace of mind to all our users and we will always be there to help out."
Olympia Leisure Centre on Windsor Way in South Belfast offers a great space to exercise right next to Windsor Park, minutes from Adelaide railway station.
The gym has cardio machines, free weights and a functional training zone to cover every workout style, while the 25-metre pool and teaching pool handle lane swimming, aqua aerobics and lessons.
Users can unwind afterwards in the spa with sauna, steam room and cold plunge. Classes include group cycle, Pilates, yoga, boxfit, HIIT and dance fitness, with strength and conditioning sessions and women-only classes also available.
The sports hall hosts badminton, basketball, football and pickleball, and there's space for gymnastics too. Junior fitness classes are also available, over-50s sessions and they host birthday parties for kids.
Find out more at www.better.org.uk/olympia-leisure-centre.
