Leisure Centres Offer Free Membership To Children In Care

Harborough Leisure Centre and Lutterworth Sports Centre is offering free membership to children in care.

Operator Everyone Active says it wants to reduce the barriers between young people participating in sport and activity.

The membership, being offered to youngsters in foster care and residential care, will give them access to a range of facilities depending on their age, including gym, swim, soft play and group exercise.

According to latest figures from the Department for Education for children looked after (CLA) in England, the number of children in care is at an all-time high, at more than 80,000 children or 67 in every 10,000.

Joe Warren, Everyone Active’s contract manager, said: “We are immensely proud to launch this partnership. We understand the vital role we play in supporting all areas of the community and feel this membership will make a real difference to many young people’s lives.

“We want to provide opportunities for young people and children who have been in or currently are in care, that activity is for all, and we want to offer them a safe space to enjoy our sports and activity offering.”

Cllr Simon Whelband, Harborough District Council’s portfolio holder for Wellbeing, said: “Physical activity and exercise is important as it assists good mental health by stimulating the body’s natural feel-good hormones which can make problems seem more manageable. We welcome this proactive initiative which supports both the physical and mental wellbeing of cared for children and care experienced young people across the Harborough district.”

For further information, visit: https://www.everyoneactive.com/about-us/what-we-offer/health-and-wellbeing/