Making friends, improving your health and becoming part of the community.

When I entered Dragonfly Leisure in Midsomer Norton for the first time, I was immediately struck by something I had not expected. Instead of being confronted by rows of exercise machines or people rushing about in sportswear, I found myself in a welcoming social space with several tables occupied by people sitting together, chatting and enjoying themselves. There was an atmosphere of easy familiarity, the sort of place where people clearly felt comfortable spending time, even when they were not taking part in any particular activity.

At the coffee bar, a lady was serving refreshments while simultaneously talking to someone and offering advice. I watched her for a moment and realised that she was doing considerably more than dispensing cups of coffee. She appeared to know what was going on, understood the needs of visitors and was quite naturally acting as a source of information and reassurance. I had the distinct impression that she was one of those invaluable people who hold a community together, often without receiving much recognition for doing so.

Every successful community organisation needs people like this. They are the human face of the establishment, the ones who make strangers feel that they belong. You can have the finest facilities in the world, but unless someone makes you feel welcome, you may never return. To my mind, this lady was not simply running a coffee bar; she was a pillar of the Dragonfly community.

Indeed, I would suggest that anyone thinking of visiting Dragonfly for the first time, particularly someone who feels a little nervous or uncertain, might begin by approaching the coffee bar. Have a cup of coffee, explain that you are new and ask what goes on. You may well discover that the first step towards joining an activity or making a new friend begins with a simple conversation.

One of the difficulties of moving into a new area is finding somewhere to go where you can meet people without feeling that you are intruding. Even those who have lived in a town for many years can find themselves increasingly isolated through retirement, bereavement or changes in personal circumstances. We all need somewhere to go, something to do and, perhaps most importantly, people to talk to.

With this in mind, I had arranged to discover what Dragonfly could offer someone who had never been there before. I was warmly received by Callum, who kindly gave me a conducted tour and patiently explained the various facilities and how they could be used. I was particularly interested in whether the centre was suitable for people who were not necessarily fitness enthusiasts but simply wanted to become more active and meet others.

I soon discovered that Dragonfly is much more than a conventional gym or swimming pool. It is a busy community facility offering an impressive range of activities for people of different ages, interests and physical abilities. You do not have to be young, athletic or particularly energetic to find something suitable. Indeed, one of its strengths is the variety of ways in which people can participate.

Swimming for Everyone

The swimming pool is 25 metres long and offers sessions for casual swimming, lane swimming, children and families, together with swimming lessons for babies, toddlers, children and adults. There are also parent-and-baby sessions, providing an opportunity for young families to enjoy the water together.

Swimming is one of those activities that can appeal to almost every generation. Some people enjoy swimming lengths to maintain their fitness, while others prefer a more leisurely approach. For parents with young children, swimming lessons can also become a regular social occasion, bringing together families who might otherwise never meet.

The centre also has a steam room, offering an opportunity to relax after exercise.

The Gym – Something for Beginners and Experts

The gym itself is extensive, with equipment for developing strength, improving cardiovascular fitness and maintaining flexibility. Callum showed me the different areas, including the modern Elevate gym, which I found particularly interesting.

This uses sophisticated computer-controlled exercise machines that can be adjusted to suit each individual. After an initial assessment, the equipment remembers your settings and records your progress digitally. Callum demonstrated how a personal wristband activates the machines, which then adjust themselves to the user’s measurements and requirements.

There is something reassuring about machinery that adapts itself to the person rather than expecting the person to adapt to the machinery!

The system can carry out strength and flexibility assessments, and the results can be recorded through an accompanying app. It is a clever way of monitoring progress and helping people maintain a suitable exercise programme. Callum explained that the machines also provide instructions, guiding users through the correct movements.

The Elevate area is intended for members rather than casual day visitors, but ordinary gym day passes are available elsewhere in the centre.

Exercise Classes and Activities

For those who prefer exercising in company, Dragonfly offers a considerable programme of classes. These include yoga, Zumba, circuit training and other activities designed to improve strength, flexibility and general fitness. There are also specialist sessions, including pre- and postnatal exercise classes.

Some classes are energetic, others are more gentle, and staff can help newcomers identify something appropriate to their needs and abilities.

I particularly like the idea of group exercise because it combines two benefits. You are doing something positive for your physical health while at the same time becoming familiar with other people. After attending a class for several weeks, you begin to recognise faces, exchange greetings and perhaps discover shared interests.

For someone who finds it difficult to make new friends, this is a much more natural approach than simply turning up at a social gathering where everyone else already seems to know one another.

There is no need to arrive with a grand plan to transform yourself overnight. A modest beginning, maintained regularly, can be much more valuable.

Accessibility and Inclusion

I was pleased to discover that attention has been given to accessibility. Callum showed me the accessible changing facilities, showers and toilets, together with lift access to different levels. Equipment is also available to assist people with mobility difficulties.

This matters enormously. It is easy for organisations to describe themselves as welcoming, but unless people with disabilities can actually enter and use the facilities, the welcome means very little.

People who have mobility problems or other particular requirements should contact the centre beforehand to discuss what assistance is available.

I was encouraged by the fact that accessibility was treated as a normal part of the centre’s operation rather than an afterthought.

The Most Important Facility – Other People

However, the most important discovery of my visit was not a piece of equipment or a sporting facility. It was the social atmosphere.

Callum told me that many people who have recently moved into the area find Dragonfly an excellent way of making new friends. They may initially come along simply to attend an exercise class or use the swimming pool, but gradually they begin to recognise familiar faces. A casual greeting becomes a conversation, and a conversation may develop into a friendship.

The café plays an important part in this process. People finish their activities and sit down together for coffee and a chat. Some may spend almost as much time talking as they do exercising, and I see nothing wrong with that.

After all, physical fitness is only one aspect of wellbeing. Feeling recognised, included and valued by other people is equally important.

We had a little exchange about the importance of gossip. I suggested that exchanging local news was one of the ways people discover what is happening in their community, and Callum readily agreed. There is, of course, a world of difference between malicious gossip and the perfectly natural human desire to share news, experiences and observations.

A friendly conversation over coffee can sometimes do more for a person’s spirits than half an hour on an exercise machine.

This is particularly relevant to someone who has recently retired. The workplace often provides a ready-made social structure, with colleagues to talk to and a reason to leave the house each morning. When that structure disappears, it is not always easy to replace.

Joining a regular class or developing the habit of visiting a leisure centre can provide a new rhythm to the week and opportunities for companionship.

The same applies to people who have lost a partner or whose family members have moved away. It can be difficult to make new friends simply by deciding that you need some. Friendships generally develop more naturally when people share an interest or activity.

Dragonfly provides exactly that sort of environment. You have a reason for being there, and the social contact follows without anyone having to force the issue.

What Does It Cost?

Callum explained that visitors can choose between paying for individual activities and taking out a monthly membership. This is useful because newcomers can try an activity before deciding whether to make a longer-term commitment.

During my visit, Callum mentioned a gym membership of approximately £25 per month and another membership option of around £35 per month, depending on the facilities included and eligibility for concessions.

The published membership options include:

• Fly membership: From £24.99 per month.
• Fly Premium membership: From £34.99 per month.
• Annual memberships: Available for those who prefer to pay in advance.
• Pay-as-you-go: Available for individual swimming sessions, classes and gym visits, subject to the relevant conditions.

Some specialist facilities, including the Elevate gym, are reserved for members. Callum also explained that gym day passes are available, including options covering several visits. It is worth checking current prices and concessionary arrangements with reception because the most economical choice will depend on how frequently you intend to visit and which activities interest you. For someone who attends regularly, a monthly membership could represent good value, particularly when compared with the cost of other forms of entertainment.

More importantly, it can provide a continuing opportunity for exercise, relaxation and social contact.

Taking the First Step

I would particularly encourage anyone who feels uncertain about entering such a centre for the first time to call in and have a conversation with the staff.  Perhaps you have not exercised for years, are recovering your confidence after an illness, have recently moved into the area or simply want somewhere to meet people.  You do not have to pretend to be fitter or more knowledgeable than you are.

And remember the lady at the coffee bar. She may be just the person to approach if you are wondering where to begin. A few friendly words can make all the difference between turning around and going home or discovering something that becomes a regular and enjoyable part of your life.

There is no obligation to become an enthusiastic weightlifter, competitive swimmer or expert in yoga. You might begin with one class a week, a gentle swim or an occasional visit to the gym.

The important thing is to start somewhere.

I left Dragonfly with the impression of a well-used and welcoming local facility which has an important part to play in the social life of Midsomer Norton. The range of equipment and activities is impressive, but what matters most to me is that people can arrive as strangers and, over time, become familiar faces and friends.

Our communities need places where people can meet naturally, without having to belong to a particular social circle or receive a personal invitation.

Dragonfly is one such place.

And I keep returning in my mind to that first impression of people sitting around tables, chatting comfortably, and the lady at the coffee bar who seemed to be doing several jobs at once. These are the little things that turn a building into a community.

You may go there intending to improve your fitness, but the most valuable thing you take home could be a new friendship.

Contact Details

Dragonfly Leisure – Midsomer Norton

Gullock Tyning, Midsomer Norton, Radstock, BA3 2SY

Telephone: 01761 252631

Website: www.dragonflyleisure.co.uk

Opening hours: Monday–Friday 5.45am–10pm; Saturday 6.30am–6pm; Sunday 7.45am–6pm. Bank holiday hours may differ.

Membership: From approximately £25 per month, with premium, concessionary and pay-as-you-go options available