Leisure centres in Middlesbrough and Redcar and Cleveland are set to offer free membership to children in care and care experienced young people from this month.
Middlesbrough Sports Village, Neptune Leisure Centre and Rainbow Leisure Centre, run by award-winning operator Everyone Active in partnership with Middlesbrough Council, are taking part in the new initiative to reduce the barriers between children and young people participating in sport and physical activity.
Also included are Redcar and Cleveland Leisure and Community Heart, Saltburn Leisure Centre, Eston Leisure Centre, Loftus Leisure Centre and Guisborough Swim and Fitness Centre, run by Everyone Active in partnership with Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council.
The free membership 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.
This year, Everyone Active launched its national Community Health and Wellbeing Strategy, with the aim to meet the needs of individual communities through programmes that support people to be physically active, and to feel happy and healthy.
As part of the strategy, this membership will support children in care or care experienced young children with free access to leisure facilities that can help improve their physical health and mental wellbeing.
The complimentary membership for cared for children and care experienced young people can be accessed and set up through a referral system from local council family support teams.
Paul Ayre, 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.”
Councillor Mieka Smiles, Middlesbrough Deputy Mayor and Executive member for Children’s Services, said: “Regular, good-quality exercise is a vital part of growing up and it’s something to which every child has an absolute right.
“We’re totally committed to giving the children in our care the best possible start in life and free access to our first-class sports and leisure facilities is a key part of that.
“I’m delighted to support this initiative by Everyone Active and look forward to meeting the young people whose lives will undoubtedly be the richer for it.”
· For further information, visit: https://www.everyoneactive.com/about-us/what-we-offer/health-and-wellbeing/
PRESS RELEASE
Middlesbrough Sports Village, Neptune Leisure Centre and Rainbow Leisure Centre, run by award-winning operator Everyone Active in partnership with Middlesbrough Council, are taking part in the new initiative to reduce the barriers between children and young people participating in sport and physical activity.
Also included are Redcar and Cleveland Leisure and Community Heart, Saltburn Leisure Centre, Eston Leisure Centre, Loftus Leisure Centre and Guisborough Swim and Fitness Centre, run by Everyone Active in partnership with Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council.
The free membership 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.
This year, Everyone Active launched its national Community Health and Wellbeing Strategy, with the aim to meet the needs of individual communities through programmes that support people to be physically active, and to feel happy and healthy.
As part of the strategy, this membership will support children in care or care experienced young children with free access to leisure facilities that can help improve their physical health and mental wellbeing.
The complimentary membership for cared for children and care experienced young people can be accessed and set up through a referral system from local council family support teams.
Paul Ayre, 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.”
Councillor Mieka Smiles, Middlesbrough Deputy Mayor and Executive member for Children’s Services, said: “Regular, good-quality exercise is a vital part of growing up and it’s something to which every child has an absolute right.
“We’re totally committed to giving the children in our care the best possible start in life and free access to our first-class sports and leisure facilities is a key part of that.
“I’m delighted to support this initiative by Everyone Active and look forward to meeting the young people whose lives will undoubtedly be the richer for it.”
· For further information, visit: https://www.everyoneactive.com/about-us/what-we-offer/health-and-wellbeing/
PRESS RELEASE