Free swimming continues in Birmingham (Birmingham Liberal Democrats)

Birmingham Liberal Democrats <info@birminghamlibdems.org.uk>

Free swimming continues in Birmingham

June 30, 2010 10:31 PM

"Thanks to the Be Active scheme, our residents can still enjoy a range of free leisure services," said Councillor Martin Mullaney.

The national free swimming initiative for under-16s and over-60s may have been scrapped but Birmingham residents of all ages can still continue to swim for free. The Be Active scheme, a partnership between Birmingham City Council and the NHS, offers all Birmingham residents free swimming, group exercise classes and gym sessions until 31 March 2011.

Councillor Martin Mullaney, Birmingham's Cabinet Member for Leisure, Sport and Culture, has urged residents to make the most of the free provision for the remaining nine months of the scheme:

"Thanks to the Be Active scheme, our residents can still enjoy a range of free leisure services. The Be Active scheme has proved to be a huge success in Birmingham and I want to encourage more people to make the most of this provision between now and next April."

"Together with the three Birmingham NHS primary care trusts, I want to encourage people to be active for about half an hour at least five times a week."

"Whether you're walking, cycling or going to the local leisure centre to swim or use the gym - it all counts when it comes to protecting your heart, your joints and keeping your weight down."

Be active is sponsored by the Birmingham Health and Wellbeing Partnership, made up of Birmingham City Council and the three Birmingham NHS primary care trusts - Heart of Birmingham teaching Primary Care Trust, NHS South Birmingham and NHS Birmingham East and North. It also supports the national 'Change 4 Life' programme. One in ten people across Birmingham are now enjoying free use of their council-run leisure centre thanks to the scheme, which will run until March 31 2011.

The scheme is available to all Birmingham residents who pay their council tax to Birmingham City Council. Be active participants can take part in free swimming, exercise classes or the gym at any Council-run leisure centre Monday to Friday before 5pm and weekends after 1pm. Please see www.birmingham.gov.uk/beactive for more information.