Get in the swim for free this summer

This summer, enjoy free swimming lessons and family fun swim sessions

Herefordshire Council has partnered with Halo Leisure this summer, to offer free swimming lessons for children and free, fun swimming sessions for families, at Halo pools across the county during the school holidays.

The free lessons and sessions, which encourage children and families to get active and learn a new skill while having fun, are being provided as part of the council’s Covid-19 recovery plan, which looks to support economic recovery and improve wellbeing across the county.

The free Get Active Learn to Swim lessons are for primary school aged beginner swimmers and those who need to build water confidence.  They’re a course of five 30 minute sessions, held at the same time, each day, over a week (Monday to Friday).  The lessons start on Monday 26 July and blocks will run throughout the summer holidays.  

The free Get Active Family Fun Swimming sessions are for families of any size.  There must be at least one adult, aged 16 or over, accompanying at least one child in the water, to have free access during these sessions.  These fun sessions start on Saturday 24 July and also run throughout the summer. 

The swimming lessons and family swim sessions, both need to be booked in advance to ensure availability.  You can do this via the Halo Leisure App (download free from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store) and search for your chosen Halo pool or by calling or popping into your local pool directly to book your place.  All spaces will be allocated on a first come, first served basis.

Councillor Gemma Davies, Cabinet member Commissioning, Procurement and Assets, said: “Measures taken to reduce the spread of Covid-19 have had a significant impact on the national and local economy and on people’s wellbeing, mental and physical health.

“These free swimming lessons and family fun swim sessions, increase the opportunity for local children and families to get active, and are just part of an additional £6m investment to support economic recovery and improve wellbeing in our county.

“We are focusing our recovery investment based on what our residents, communities and businesses tell us is important and our understanding of what our county needs for a successful and sustainable future.”

Alex Haines, Halo Herefordshire Partnership Manager, added: “So many children and families missed out on swimming during lockdown, when our pools were closed.  We are delighted Herefordshire Council is supporting Halo's efforts to get more young people and families more active, more often.  With pools in Hereford, Ledbury, Leominster and Ross-on-Wye, you won't have to dash very far to enjoy a splash."

To find out more, visit the Halo website.