Amber Valley Borough Council is the first local authority in Derbyshire to introduce a new initiative that offers foster carers, the children and young people they look after and their immediate families free admission to all the Borough’s leisure facilities.
The scheme, called ‘Looked After Children’, is being operated in partnership with Derbyshire County Council.
Councillor John Nelson, Cabinet Member for Leisure Development at Amber Valley Borough Council, said: “We’re delighted to offer children and young people in the care of Derbyshire County Council free access to all the Borough’s leisure facilities. Helping members of the local community lead healthier lifestyles is one of the Council’s top priorities, and we hope this initiative will encourage even more families within the Borough to take part in the wide range of sport and recreational activities on offer at our leisure centres.”
Under the scheme, swimming, fitness classes and all court bookings are available free of charge at the Borough’s four leisure centres at Alfreton, Belper, Heanor and Ripley.
It is anticipated that ‘Looked After Children’ will help many youngsters in care who often tend to have a disproportionate rate of obesity and lower participation levels in sporting and recreational activities than their peer group. In addition, it’s hoped that free leisure centre access will also help promote the recruitment and retention of foster carers and will encourage them to use leisure and recreational facilities alongside the children they are placed with.
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For more information contact Lisa Garnham, PR and Communications Manager at Amber Valley Borough Council, on 01773 841655 or lisa.garnham@ambervalley.gov.uk
