Young people across Wirral will be able to enjoy free swimming throughout August as part of a new council initiative.
The scheme has been introduced to help families manage cost-of-living pressures while giving children an affordable way to stay active during the school holidays.
Free swimming will be available during timetabled public and family swim sessions held from Monday to Friday between 10am and 4pm.
Leader of Wirral Council, Cllr Paula Basnett, said:
“We know that many families are continuing to feel the pressure of the rising cost of living, so it was important to me that we look for practical ways to provide support and help keep young people active over the summer.
“This initiative gives children and young people the chance to enjoy free swimming sessions, discover our excellent leisure facilities and take part in positive, healthy activities throughout the school holidays.
“As well as helping families save money and keeping boredom at bay during the long summer break, we hope it encourages more young people to make the most of the wide range of opportunities available at our leisure centres and develop healthy habits that continue long after the holidays have ended.”
Cllr Jenny Johnson, chair of Wirral Council’s Tourism, Communities, Culture & Leisure Committee, said:
“Our leisure centres play a vital role in supporting the health and wellbeing of local communities and this initiative is a fantastic way of helping more young people access those facilities during the summer holidays.
“Swimming is a fun, inclusive activity that offers both physical and mental health benefits. By removing the cost barrier, we hope many more children and families will be encouraged to take advantage of the excellent facilities we have across Wirral and help families enjoy an active and enjoyable school break. We are grateful for Public Health Funding to support this initiative.”
Chair of the council’s Children, Young People and Education Committee, Cllr Stephen Bennett, said:
“The summer holidays should be a time when children and young people can stay active, socialise with friends and enjoy positive experiences, regardless of their family’s financial circumstances.
“We want every child in Wirral to have access to enriching opportunities over the summer, and this initiative complements the wider range of support and activities available for children and families during the holiday period.”
The offer will be available at:
- Europa Pools Leisure Centre
- Leasowe Leisure Centre
- West Kirby Concourse
- Oval Leisure Centre
- Guinea Gap Leisure Centre, once its pools reopen following maintenance
The council said the initiative would help remove some of the financial barriers that can prevent children and young people from taking part in sport and leisure activities.
Sessions will be subject to availability, pool programming, staffing levels, maximum capacity, health and safety requirements, supervision policies and booking arrangements.
Specialist swimming sessions and other programmed activities are not included in the offer.
Children aged under eight must be accompanied and supervised by a responsible adult. Adults accompanying children aged eight and over do not have to enter the pool, in line with the council’s existing junior swimming policies.
Individual leisure centres may introduce a booking system where necessary to manage demand and ensure sessions can operate safely.
More information on admissions policies can be found here and details of the Holiday pool programme are available here.
READ MORE: Flight Club opens Social Darts to families during summer holidays
