Free swimming for over 60s and children aged 16 and under will continue at Sandwell leisure centres.

As part of the #MoveMoreSandwell programme, which aims to help people live more active lives, Sandwell Council has confirmed it is extending the funding of the free sessions –  for children 16 and under during school holidays and for people over 60 during public swimming sessions – and that some sessions have now resumed.

Sandwell Leisure Trust is providing bookable sessions for over 60s and competent young swimmers over the age of eight at Haden Hill and Wednesbury Leisure Centres.  Further sessions at other centres will be announced in the coming weeks.

Details of the changes will be sent to anyone signed up for the free swimming scheme, which has been funded by Sandwell Council since 2013.

Since the scheme was last extended in 2015, young people have enjoyed more than 198,000 free swimming sessions, and over 60s have enjoyed more than 306,000. Deputy Leader of Sandwell Council Councillor Maria Crompton said:

“We’re working with our leisure centre operators to continue our free swimming offer for young people and the over 60s.

“We know it’s very popular with children and the over 60s alike.

“Leisure centres have only just started reopening, so they have needed some time to put in place the necessary safety measures and booking systems to offer the free swimming sessions. But it’s good news we have now confirmed the funding for this to happen.”

Sandwell Council’s cabinet member for healthy lives Councillor Farut Shaeen added: “Our #MoveMoreSandwell partnership is about local organisations working together to help people live a more active life.

“These free swimming sessions not only help people’s physical health, they’re also important for mental wellbeing.

“I’m really pleased that we are able to continue to offer these important sessions and to extend the offer as soon as our leisure centres are able to.”

For more information on free swimming, visit sandwell.gov.uk/freeswimming.