About
BAWA LEISURE is an unincorporated members' association that has been growing and developing since 1942.
We are a ‘not-for-profit’ organisation offering healthcare and leisure services and facilities with the aim of promoting good health and wellbeing for our many thousands of members.
Rolls-Royce Plc, Airbus UK, BAE Systems, MBDA and GKN Aerospace employees make up the traditional core of our membership however more and more local employers have realised the benefits of offering BAWA membership to their staff and the list is growing considerably. We now include the likes of South Gloucestershire Council, North Bristol NHS Trust and John Lewis Partnership employees amongst our members, to name but a few. This growth in the constituent company base is beneficial as it allows further enhancement to the services we offer all of our members.
OUR HISTORY
The Bristol Aeroplane Company Welfare Association was founded by Sir G Stanley White in 1942 to provide a centralised service for sickness pay and sports and social activities for employees of the Bristol Aeroplane Company. The “Welfare” soon became a very integral part of life at the “BAC”.
In 1959 Bristol Aeroplane Company split to become the British Aircraft Corporation and Bristol Siddeley Engines. During the following years various divisions and takeovers occurred, with the Welfare Association remaining central throughout.
In 1973 the Bristol Aeroplane Company Welfare Association underwent a subtle name change to become the Bristol Aerospace Welfare Association and the acronym BAWA was born.
In 1992 the Bristol Aerospace Welfare Association had a further name change and became BAWA Healthcare and Leisure, and in 2022 a further small change to BAWA Leisure to reflect the growing emphasis on conferencing and events, this was accompanied with a rebrand of the logo and changes to membership categories.
Today, the major companies which evolved from the former Bristol Aeroplane Company are Rolls-Royce plc, BAE Systems plc and Airbus UK. These companies are at the heart of BAWA Leisure’s membership and additionally we have members employed by our newer constituent companies.
The conference and leisure facilities generate enough income to enable BAWA to continually enhance its services, hence the recent major refurbishments of the Ballroom, Concorde Room and Reception area. In 2022 the Gym was refurbished with new equipment and during 2023 BAWA will be refurbishing the Pavilion Lounge and adding an outside patio area to the sports lounge.
A policy is in place to ensure ongoing maintenance and development of the services and facilities at BAWA Leisure. This means that members will continue to receive the best value and the highest possible quality.
BAWA is exceptionally keen to support the local community. Every year many generous donations are made to a variety of local charities.
