Nottingham City Council has announced a new free-swimming programme for under-16s, providing 22,000 free swimming spaces during school holidays from July 2026 to February 2027. Backed by £197,000 of investment, the programme will help more children and young people across the city to access swimming.
The scheme will run across 49 school holiday days, offering free, structured public swimming sessions at all six Active Nottingham Leisure Centres (part of Nottingham City Council): Clifton, Djanogly, Harvey Hadden Sports Village, Ken Martin, Southglade and Victoria Leisure Centre.
Swimming is an important life skill and a great way to support children’s health, wellbeing and confidence. The Council recognises that cost can be a barrier for some families, and the programme aims to help reduce inequalities in access to physical activity.
Sessions will take place on weekdays during school holiday periods (excluding bank holidays). Support will also be available to help children who are non-swimmers or who lack confidence in the water.
The scheme is open to Nottingham City resident school-age children under the age of 16. In line with the Pool Admission Policy, children under eight years old must be accompanied by a responsible adult or person aged 16 or over, who will be able to attend at no cost.
The programme forms part of Nottingham City Council’s wider work to support children and young people to be active, healthy and safe, whilst reducing inequalities across communities.
Cllr Corall Jenkins (pictured below), Executive Member for Communities, Waste and Equalities, said: “Swimming is a vital life skill and a great way for children to stay active and healthy. This programme is about removing financial barriers and making sure more children across Nottingham can access swimming during the school holiday.
“By offering free, structured sessions at leisure centres across the city, we can help improve confidence in the water, support wellbeing and ensure more families can take advantage of the benefits swimming brings.”
Pictured: Cllr Corall Jenkins
Further information, including session days, times and how to access and book the free swims, will be published on Active Nottingham’s website once operational planning is complete.
ENDS
Notes to editors
- Active Nottingham: Leisure service delivered by Nottingham City Council and operates the Council’s leisure centres across the city of Nottingham.
- What’s being announced: A free school-holiday swimming programme for Nottingham City resident school-age children under 16, offering 22,000 free swimming spaces.
- When: School holidays from July 2026 to February 2027, across 49 school holiday days (weekdays only, excluding bank holidays).
- Where: All six Active Nottingham leisure centres: Clifton, Djanogly, Harvey Hadden Sports Village, Ken Martin, Southglade and Victoria Leisure Centre.
- Investment: The programme is backed by £197,000.
- Supervision/admissions: In line with the Pool Admission Policy, children under eight must be accompanied by a responsible adult or person aged 16+ (who may attend at no cost).
- Next steps: Approval was granted at Executive Board on 21 April. Further information, including session timetables and how to access the free swims, will be published once operational planning is complete.