NORTHAMPTON East Local Area Partnership has partnered with Trilogy Active at Lings Forum Leisure Centre to offer free junior memberships to children in the area who might not otherwise have access to them.
The programme delivered by West Northamptonshire Council and Trilogy Active will start just before the summer holidays, providing 75 six-month junior memberships.
Three primary schools in close proximity to Lings Forum Leisure Centre are participating in the programme including Thorplands Primary, Standens Barn and Lumbertubs, with each school allocating 25 memberships to selected students.
Students will be selected based on means testing for those on free school meals, with the schools selecting the students they feel would benefit most from the programme.
Compared to West Northamptonshire and the national average, East Northampton faces higher levels of total crime and anti-social behaviour, unemployment and unemployment benefit claimants. This programme aims to eliminate the financial barriers to physical activity for local young people, in turn promoting healthier communities.
The impact of the pilot will be monitored and evaluated to understand whether the removal of financial barriers increases physical activity, improves mental health and the wider determinants of health.
The junior active memberships will provide access to either a weekly lesson or club, including swimming, gymnastics or football. The membership will also give the students access to after school buzz clubzz, holiday activities, kids’ screenings at the Forum Cinema, swimming, term time Berzerk active play entry for under 10s, gym use for 11+, off peak racket sports and roller skating.