Free Swimming Lessons Dive In for Kids in Need
Children from less well-off families can now learn to swim for free thanks to a £45,000 council fund. The award-winning Everyone Active leisure centres are offering around 375 means-tested lessons across Alton, Whitehill & Bordon, and Petersfield.
Cllr Millard: “Swimming is a Vital Life Skill”
Council leader Richard Millard made the splashy announcement back in February as part of 12 new welfare initiatives to help local families struggling with the cost of living. He said:
“Swimming is a vital life skill. Not only is it great exercise, it is also a matter of personal safety that children are confident in the water. The number of children who can swim 25 metres unaided drops in areas of deprivation. It’s not right that a child’s safety should be a matter of money, and that’s why I pledged to offer free swimming lessons for those children who need it most. I am delighted that the uptake has been so good, we have been inundated with enquiries and I hope we will be able to help hundreds of young children learn this invaluable life skill.”
How to Book Your Free Swim Lesson
Lessons are for kids aged 4 to 11 and are hosted at three local centres. Interested parents can get in touch directly:
- Alton Sports Centre: [email protected]
- Taro Leisure Centre: [email protected]
- Whitehill & Bordon Leisure Centre: whitehill&[email protected]
Welfare Boost with £350k Budget
The free swim lessons form part of a £350,000 welfare pot budgeted this year. Cllr Millard’s wider plan includes support for coping with rising bills, bike hire in Whitehill & Bordon, speed cameras in traffic hotspots, and groups for older residents.
