Tailored Leisure Company (TLC) are a client led Social Enterprise who are making a stand for access in the North East. The award-winning formula for accessible fitness sessions, has proven to be just the right match for a host of partners including the Foundation of Light, Sunderland City Council and Headway Wearside.
Based in South Tyneside, TLC was launched by Director, Tara Johnson due to her own experiences of living with cerebral palsy, as well as her professional experience in the health and social care sector. A winner at the recent Sunderland Echo Portfolio Business Awards 2021 for Corporate Social Responsibility, sponsored by Bradley Hall and a recent PNE Social Impact Award winner, TLC have been a key driving force in developing accessible projects since its inception.
Tara Johnson, Founder and Director said: “Partnership has been a key element of our growth over the last year, 2021 was just the tip of the iceberg for the company. We have so many exciting projects and developments in the pipeline, we really can’t wait to see the social impact created.”
The team are committed to developing accessible opportunities to get fit, have fun and relax with as little stress as possible and are passionate about overcoming the barriers and social exclusion faced by disabled people. Led by regional research they attracted the attention of numerous national funders over the year to run a host of accessible fitness projects. The community and virtual fitness programmes run alongside a continued funding drive to raise £1.5 million for the development of an innovative, one-of-a-kind accessible short break holiday and leisure complex, the ‘Butterfly of the North’, which also saw the inspirational founder (Tara Johnson) stand for the first time in over 20 years to raise vital funds towards the endeavour.
Tara added: “The last year at Tailored Leisure Company has been one of phenomenal growth and we are delighted to be working across the North East region thanks to vital funding from key partners. As we move on an upward trajectory, we’d be delighted to speak with local businesses who can support us on our journey and with the aim of developing the vital Butterfly of the North complex. Businesses can back the campaign and take advantage of our corporate sponsorship packages to help the complex take flight. The new complex will support so many and unlock barriers to short breaks and leisure services that families across the North East face on a daily basis, and which is needed even more than ever post Covid-19.”