Building on Legacy of 2012
GLL sign up to £140 million Free Swimming Government initiative for the over 60s and 16 and unders
GLL signed up to supporting the Government's 'Free Swimming programme in April 2009 with the official launch being held at the Eltham Centre in the London Borough of Greenwich. The government funded initiative is aimed at providing free public swimming sessions for Over 60s and 16 years and under.
Participating GLL partnerships include Barnet, Camden, Ealing, Greenwich, Hackney, Lambeth, Merton, Newham, Tower Hamlets, Sutton, Hammersmith and Fulham, Reading, Hillingdon and Waltham Forest.
Swimming is the country's most popular sporting activity. The Government's free swimming initiative is an important part of the plans to secure a long-term legacy from London hosting the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games and GLL are contributing in the aim to get two million people more active and more healthy. The Free Swimming Programme is in support of Change4Life -- the nationwide movement to help everyone eat well, move more and live longer. It is a partnership between the Government, local councils of all political colours, Sport England and swimming's governing body.
Increasing Participation for Over 60s and 16 and unders
Over the course of 12 months GLL have had over 265,000 Over 60's and over 236,000 16 and under swimming for free. GLL managed pools in the London Borough of Waltham Forest have had the highest number of over 60s participating in the scheme so far, with GLL managed pools in the London Borough of Greenwich having the highest number of 16 and unders participating in the scheme.
Actor and comedian David Walliams at the launch said "Just a few lengths is a really great way of getting active and staying healthy. I am right behind this initiative and I hope that millions of people will grab the opportunity and take the plunge."
Raj Patel, retired sales assistant
"I am an enthusiastic member of the Club Wellness programme for the over 55s and am really pleased GLL is supporting this initiative so that I can go swimming for Free. I have also made some great friends who share the same interests."
GLL are strong supporters
"We are strong supporters of the Government's 'Free Swimming' initiative and expect that it will increase demand for swimming facilities across the Capital. The scheme will impact everyone from non-swimmers dipping their toe into the water for the first time, to competitive club swimmers. Not only is swimming an essential life skill, but also a social and healthy recreational activity that can be enjoyed by all members of the family regardless of age or fitness level." Mark Sesnan, Managing Director of GLL.
Since January 2010 additional funding has been made available from the DCMS to run swimming lessons, aimed at giving adults who have never learned to swim, the opportunity to learn a skill which could not only save their life, but also allow them to enjoy water safely leading to a more active and healthy lifestyle. The target is to teach 100,000 pupils before March 2011.
Free swimming lessons have already taken place in GLL pools across London with many more to come. Sign up now if you would like to be involved.