We understand why the project is often viewed solely from the perspective of recreating the lido. However, our core drivers are much broader and include:

• Bringing the site back into community use

• Promoting and improving health and wellbeing

• Connecting people and places

• Boosting prosperity

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To aid the formulation of our vision, mission and values we analysed the contextual factors – both in respect of the location and also those relevant to health, wellbeing and prosperity.

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The World Health Organization has made loneliness and social connection a “global public health priority” noting:

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“High-quality social connections are essential to our mental and physical health and our well-being. Social isolation and loneliness are important, yet neglected, social determinants for people of all ages – including older people.

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Social isolation and loneliness are widespread, with an estimated 1 in 4 older people experiencing social isolation and between 5 and 15 per cent of adolescents experiencing loneliness. A large body of research shows that social isolation and loneliness have a serious impact on physical and mental health, quality of life, and longevity. The effect of social isolation and loneliness on mortality is comparable to that of other well-established risk factors such as smoking, obesity, and physical inactivity.”

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There are well known health and wellbeing benefits to individuals from physical activity. Additionally, a more active nation also brings social and economic value – as evidenced by research commissioned by Sport England in 2024.

 

We recognise many people improve their health and wellbeing through undertaking activities in Otley Riverside – and utilising the existing resources – either on their own or in small groups. We refer to these as ‘informal’ because they would be independent of the venue; utilise external resources; and, in many cases, are informal in nature. Examples include relaxing, socialising, strolling, families in the playground, tennis, skateboarding and scooting, customers of the boats, birdwatchers, bowlers, etc.

 

To enable these activities, riverside users have told us they want the riverside visitor experience enhancing (e.g. a welcoming venue with a food and drink offering differentiated from other providers) and want barriers to visiting the riverside removed (e.g. poor provision of WCs).

 

Affordability is also a key issue. As a social enterprise it is in our ethos to inspire and support people to undertake their own ‘informal’ activities – and utilise the free existing resources – alongside offering new affordable ‘formal’ activities. By doing so, we can expand the benefits to a wider range and greater number of people.

 

Therefore, our vision and mission focus on contributing to Otley Riverside through leveraging a year-round, community, health and wellness hub to:

• Inspire and enable active lives – utilising the existing resources in the riverside alongside delivering new opportunities – thereby amplifying the riverside’s vibrancy

• Transform the derelict baths into a centrepiece attraction which connects and complements the existing resources

• Enhance the riverside experience through creating synergies to enable users to start, or continue, to  undertake their own activities

• Connect people and provide opportunities for social interaction via an informal community hub in addition to formal activities, classes and events

• Boost health, wellbeing and prosperity

• Act as a catalyst for, and complementary to, wider regeneration and initiatives

 

Our vision, mission and values statements are regularly reviewed, guide our organisation, and are the foundation for our strategic plan. They translate the core drivers into our overarching aspirations (vision), how we shall achieve these (mission), and what we believe in and how we behave (values).

 

Our values are grouped into: ‘Why?’, ‘(For) Who?’ and ‘How’. They include our commitment to community agency, custodianship of the site and inclusivity. We are committed to ensuring everyone feels welcome and the users are reflective of the large catchment area served by both the venue and the riverside.

 

Indeed, lidos are inclusive places by nature of their heritage. Many were built during The Great Depression by job creation schemes, emerged at the same time as mixed bathing, have a history of being classless and catering for all, and became a family favourite. This heritage and ethos remains equally prevalent within the lido community today (Future Lidos, 2025).

 

Transforming our vision and mission into reality requires investment. It would be a sound investment given community sport and physical activity delivers an excellent Social Return on Investment of £3.91 for every £1 invested in England (Sport England, 2020).​​