Everyone Active centres offer free swimming for youngsters to support Drowning Prevention Week

The Stratford, Southam, Studley and Shipston leisure centres, operated by Everyone Active in partnership with Stratford-on-Avon District Council, are offering free swimming for youngsters from Monday 20^th to Friday 24^th June, in support of Drowning Prevention Week.

Youngsters who are currently having swimming lessons with their school at an Everyone Active centre are taught water safety, to ensure that they not only enjoy the water but respect the dangers that can occur when around it. One person drowns every 20 hours in the UK and hundreds more suffer life changing injuries through near drowning. By spreading water safety advice, the Royal Life Save Society Drowning Prevention Week aims to teach people how to stay safe near water.

“We are delighted to be supporting Drowning Prevention Week, and offering the children who are currently being taught in our Everyone Active school swimming lessons free swimming during our Swim for Everyone sessions," says Everyone Active Contract Manager Toni Gaskins. “Swimming is a vital skill and this is a fantastic opportunity for youngsters to build their confidence in the water, and practise their skills with family and friends."

Children will also receive a School Swimming Passport which they can have stamped each time they swim outside of their lesson at any Everyone Active centre. When completed, youngsters can hand their passport into the centre to be entered into a prize draw to win a group swimming lesson for their school class, taught by Olympian Rebecca Adlington.

Cllr Mike Brain, Community and Technical Services Portfolio, added: “Swimming is such an important life skill and is the only sport that can save lives. Drowning Prevention Week is an ideal opportunity to reinforce those messages on how to stay safe around water and I would encourage all those that have swimming lessons at our centres to take advantage of these free swimming sessions."

For more information visit www.everyoneactive.com.

Everyone Active is the trading name for Sports Leisure Management (SLM), which operates leisure centres in partnership with local councils across England.  SLM Ltd. was formed in 1987, managing just one leisure centre in the Midlands. Today, Everyone Active manages 140 leisure facilities and cultural services in partnership with 40 different local authorities nationwide. These stretch from the north in Sunderland to Mid Suffolk in the east, Fareham in the south and Plymouth in the south west. Its growth is due to the ability to deliver well managed leisure facilities and an activity offering which is great value for money. Its aim is to increase the participation of local people in leisure activities and advocates a minimum of 30 minutes exercise five times per week. www.everyoneactive.com.