Liverpool City Council is launching a new free leisure membership for children and young people, helping more families access opportunities to stay active, healthy, and connected to their local community.
From Monday 6 July 2026, eligible young people aged 8-17 who live in Liverpool will be able to sign up for the new Kids Go Free membership as part of the council’s Active Lifestyles Youth Offer.
The new membership provides free access to gym and swimming sessions at participating Lifestyles centres across the city and is designed to encourage healthier lifestyles, improve wellbeing, and provide access to safe, inclusive leisure facilities for local young people.
The initiative supports Liverpool City Council’s commitment to reducing barriers to physical activity and ensuring that every child can enjoy the benefits of regular exercise.
Children and young people can register online or at any participating Lifestyles centre and will receive a new membership card free of charge.
The Kids Go Free membership includes free gym access at participating Lifestyles centres, free swimming during public swim sessions, and access during both term time and school holidays.
Children who currently hold an Activ8 junior membership and only use the gym and swimming facilities can choose to move onto the new free membership.
Gym Induction Requirements And Designated Public Swim Hours
To ensure safe use of the facilities, anyone wishing to use the gym must complete an induction before getting started.
Young people who have completed an induction through their Activ8 membership within the last 12 months may be able to transfer this across.
During term time, gym access times are restricted to Monday to Friday from 3pm until 6pm, with all-day access available on weekends.
During school holidays and non-term time, these weekday hours expand from 9am until 6pm, while weekend access remains available all day.
Primary school-aged children must be accompanied by a responsible adult while in the gym, whereas secondary school-aged young people can use the gym independently during the designated access times.
Children can use swimming facilities immediately after joining during public swim sessions.
Normal supervision ratios continue to apply, meaning that children under four years old must be accompanied by an adult on a one-to-one basis.
Children aged four to seven years must be accompanied by an adult at a maximum ratio of two children to one adult, and free swimming for children aged under eight remains available.
Postcode Eligibility Criteria And Participating Lifestyles Centres
The new membership is available to Liverpool residents aged 8-17 and children and young people who pass a postcode eligibility check during registration.
Memberships will automatically lapse the day before the 18th birthday.
The offer is available at Liverpool City Council-run Lifestyles centres across the city, though the scheme explicitly does not include Walton Sports Centre and Cardinal Heenan.
From 6 July, eligible children and young people can sign up online via the Lifestyles website or in person at any participating Lifestyles centre.
For more information on the Kids Go Free membership and participating centres, families can visit the Lifestyles website or speak to staff at their local leisure centre.
Local Government Leaders Outline Long-Term Public Health Objectives
Civic leaders emphasise that removing monetary barriers directly serves long-term public health objectives within the city region.
Liverpool City Council’s Cabinet Member for Health, Wellbeing and Culture, Councillor Harry Doyle, said:
“We are delighted to introduce the Kids Go Free membership, helping more children and young people across Liverpool enjoy the physical, mental, and social benefits of being active.
“By removing financial barriers to gym and swimming access, we’re investing in healthier f”utures for our young people and supporting families across the city.
This is a fantastic scheme that we encourage all young people to get involved in. It’s a brilliant opportunity to get active, have fun, and improve your physical and mental health – all for free.”
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