Leisure centres in Ashby and Coalville are set to offer free membership to children in care - and care-experienced young people - from this month.

Selected centres run by operator Everyone Active are taking part in the new initiative to reduce the barriers between children and young people participating in sport and physical activity.

The North West Leicestershire centres are: Whitwick & Coalville Leisure Centre and Ashby Leisure Centre and Lido – both run in partnership with North West Leicestershire District 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.

Photo: Everyone Active

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.

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."

Councillor Andrew Woodman, Portfolio Holder for Community Services at North West Leicestershire District Council, said: "We want everyone to have the opportunity to get active and healthy in our leisure centres, so we welcome Everyone Active's free membership for children who are in care or have been in care, who face barriers that others don't when it comes to fitness and activity.

"This is a great opportunity to increase physical activity in our communities."

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