This summer, Birmingham City Council is launching a scheme to enable Birmingham children to swim free at all its pools.

Kids Swim 4 Free started on July 17 2004 with FREE passes initially being valid until 31st August 2005. In order to retain their pass after this expiry date children will need to show that they have reached a certain level of ability. The scheme aims to encourage children to develop their swimming skills as they grow older, improve fitness levels and combat the growing problems associated with obesity amongst children and young people.

To qualify, children must be aged over 4 and under 16 and live in homes where the council tax is payable to Birmingham, or attend a Birmingham LEA school. (Please note that under fours already qualify for free swimming.)

More information about the scheme and the application process is available from the Questions and Answers section, (click the link for more details)

Application forms are available at your local leisure centres and swimming pools, or you can click here to download a copy ( please note it is a .pdf document so you will need adobe acrobat to view it. Click here to download and install adobe acrobat. )

The pass is incorporated in the city council Leisure Card Scheme. A photograph of each child is necessary for office purposes, so please bring your child/children with to the leisure centre when registering. (The photograph does not appear on the card.)

Family Fun Sessions

Every Sunday morning all council run pools offer family swimming sessions. And, from July 18, the sessions will be free on the first Sunday of every school holiday for up to two adults and three children.

Strokes

Over 10,000 children across Birmingham already benefit from professional swimming tuition with the Strokes programme. For more information, click here.