Young people in Sevenoaks can swim for just one pound this summer thanks to a new initiative designed to help the under-16s get fit in a fun and exciting way.
The scheme, which operates at the town’s leisure centre throughout August, has been funded by the West Kent Primary Care Trust and is being delivered in a partnership with Sevenoaks District Council and Sencio Community Leisure. One of the key aims of the scheme is to foster the habit of regular exercise among young people – an age group in which obesity levels in the UK have doubled over the past decade. And a recent survey by the Health and Social Care Information Centre showed that one in four children in England can now be classed as obese.
Adam Perry, community development director, Sencio Community Leisure,
says: “This scheme is an excellent example of the type of initiatives
that need to be considered if we are to address what has the potential
to become a health issue with far-reaching social and economic
implications. We are grateful to the West Kent Primary Care Trust and
Sevenoaks District Council for working with us to implement this
scheme.”
Councillor Elaine Bracken, Sevenoaks District Council’s Cabinet member
with responsibility for healthy living, adds: “We hope this will
provide an added incentive for local youngsters to take to the pool,
both for fun but also in the hope that they will discover the
far-reaching benefits of what is widely regarded as the best all-round
exercise.
The swim for one pound initiative at Sevenoaks Leisure Centre is
available to under-16s on weekdays between 8.00 am and 1.00 pm
throughout August.
Sevenoaks Leisure Centre can be contacted by phone on 01732 470700.
