In a significant move to make swimming lessons more accessible to a wider demographic, GLL, operating under the Better brand, is introducing a 20% discount on its swim school memberships for both adults and children in Cornwall. This discount is aimed at individuals and families receiving a range of benefits, including housing benefit, income support, job seeker’s allowance, working families tax credit, carers allowance, universal credit, and those eligible for the disability personal independence payment. Refugees and anyone holding a disabled ID card are also eligible for this discount.
GLL, a not-for-profit social enterprise and the UK’s largest provider of swimming lessons, manages nine leisure centres across Cornwall, including locations in Bude, Saltash, Liskeard, St Austell, Newquay, Bodmin, Truro, Helston, and St Ives. This initiative reflects GLL’s commitment to community welfare and the importance of swimming as a vital life skill, especially in a county like Cornwall, which is predominantly surrounded by sea.
James Curry, GLL’s Head of Service, emphasised the importance of swimming proficiency, stating, “Swimming is an important life skill and that’s especially true in Cornwall, where we’re largely surrounded by sea.” He also highlighted the impact of socioeconomic factors on swimming proficiency, citing Sport England’s research indicating a correlation between family affluence and a child’s ability to swim 25 meters. This statistic underscores the necessity of making swimming lessons more affordable to bridge the gap in swimming proficiency among different socioeconomic groups.
Despite rising operating costs, GLL is dedicated to its mission as a community-focused charitable enterprise, striving to ensure its facilities remain accessible to everyone. The swim school membership includes a weekly lesson and free participation in swim-for-all sessions, designed to foster swimming skills and ensure safety in the water.
Supporting this initiative, Cllr Carol Mould, Cornwall Council’s portfolio holder for Neighbourhoods, expressed her enthusiasm for making swimming more accessible, emphasising the importance of enjoying Cornwall’s renowned beaches and coastline safely. She encouraged residents to take advantage of this offer to improve their swimming skills.
For more details on this offer and eligibility, interested individuals are encouraged to contact Sarah Schofield, GLL’s Area Swim School Lead, at sarah.schofield@gll.org. This initiative marks a significant step towards ensuring that swimming, a critical skill for safety and enjoyment of Cornwall’s natural resources, is within reach for all residents, regardless of their financial situation.
Visit the Better website to find your local GGL Pool
