If you’re looking to get fit this summer, but are worried about the cost of sports activities and exercise classes, then we may be able to help.
Brighton & Hove City Council’s Leisure card, for residents on a lower income such as jobseekers allowance and pension credit , offers a 40% discount on membership and ‘pay as you go’ activities. It includes swimming, badminton, squash, table tennis, using the gym and attending exercise classes.
The card is valid at all seven city leisure centres operated by Freedom Leisure - Withdean Sports Complex, King Alfred Leisure Centre, Prince Regent Swimming Complex, Portslade Sports Centre, Moulsecoomb Community Leisure Centre, Stanley Deason Leisure Centre and St Lukes Swimming Pool.
The card was launched in April 2013 as a way to encourage people on lower income to take more exercise, Since then, hundreds of people in Brighton & Hove have signed up for the scheme making more than 120,000 visits to local leisure centres, with swimming and gym use the most popular activities.
Freedom Leisure prides itself on being more than just a leisure centre operator, reaching out to local communities and underrepresented groups who are known to be less active.
Chris Lovelock, Freedom Leisure Area Manager, said: “We are delighted to be working in partnership with Brighton & Hove City Council to be able to offer this inclusive Leisure Card which is designed to enable residents on lower incomes to be as active as others in the same area.
“Applying for a card is really simple - just complete a short form available on our leisure card webpage and take it to your local leisure centre along with supporting documents of eligibility.
“So as summer gets underway, we invite all residents to come along to our centres for fitness activities along with fun leisure activities too.”
Councillor Alan Robins, lead member for culture and leisure, said: “This is a great initiative which seeks to include residents who would not otherwise be able to use our leisure centres. The leisure card opens up opportunities to take part in a range of affordable activities and we hope as many eligible residents as possible take up the Leisure Card offer.
“Not only could it improve the health of the city’s poorest residents, it could also save the city money in the longer term by reducing the cost of healthcare.”
Full details of the scheme are available on our leisure card webpage.