Children attending Sandwell’s free swimming sessions are being offered fruit to help them achieve their five a day targets and promote healthier snack options.

The ‘Free Swimming in Sandwell’ initiative allows children and young people, under the age of 16 who live in the borough to swim without charge at leisure facilities throughout the school holidays. 

The scheme, which has been running since 2013, has proven to be incredibly popular with Sandwell’s children and young people with over 80,000 taking part since it started.

Now in a new move to boost the health of youngsters free fruit, some provided by the supermarket Tesco, will be available for a trial period in a bid to promote healthier snack choices by young people.

The Free Swimming Initiative in Sandwell is helping improve the sport and active leisure offer in the borough by providing wider access to sport and physical activity opportunities, which will directly support the Council’s Vision 2030 ambition for Sandwell’s communities to live healthy lives. Councillor Elaine Costigan, cabinet member for Public Health and Protection, said:

“It’s great that so many of our local children and their families take part in the free swimming initiative. However the choice of snacks in the vending machines is limited and doesn’t provide a healthier snack option. 

“Offering fruit is a good opportunity to encourage healthier eating habits. This is a great example of how the council, local businesses and leisure services can work closely to promote access to healthy nutrition to all our residents.”