Free Swimming Initiative

The Free-Swimming Initiative aims to get more young people (aged 16 and under) and over 60’s learning to swim and swimming more regularly. It is a Welsh Government funded programme is managed by Sport Wales and delivered by the 22 Local Authorities.

Free Swimming Sessions for 60+ and under 16

Available at Carmarthen Leisure Centre; Llanelli Leisure Centre; Amman Valley Leisure Centre and Llandovery Leisure Centre as follows:

Carmarthen Leisure Centre

60+ sessions

Monday: 9:00pm - 10:00pm

Tuesday: 8:15am - 9:15am

Thursday: 2:45pm - 3:45pm

Friday: 8:15am - 9:15am

16 and under sessions

Saturday: 4.00pm - 5.00pm, with the exception of the following dates, which will run between 8.00am - 9.00am

11th November, 18th November, 9th December, 16th December

Llanelli Leisure Centre

60+ sessions

Monday: 11:30am - 12:30pm

Tuesday:  2:30pm - 3:30pm

Wednesday: 2:45pm - 3:45pm

Thursday: 11:30am - 12:30pm

16 and under sessions

Sunday: 3:30pm - 4:30pm

Amman Valley Leisure Centre

60+ sessions

Tuesday:  1:00pm - 2:00pm

Wednesday: 2:30pm - 3:30pm

Thursday: 2:30pm - 3:30pm

Friday: 2:30pm - 3:30pm

16 and under sessions

Sunday:  1:00pm - 2:00pm

Llandovery Leisure Centre

60+ sessions

Tuesday: 10:30am - 11:30am

Thursday: 10:45am - 11:45am

16 and under sessions

Sunday: 11.30am - 12.30pm

Dementia Friendly Swimming

This session is a relaxed, gentle and inclusive adult only session in a safe, supportive and friendly environment.

Who is the session suitable for? Anyone living with age related memory loss, anyone looking to enjoy low impact exercise to help improve stability, balance, flexibility and mood. Carers very welcome.

What you need to know about swimming and dementia

  • Swimming can offer a sense of mental wellbeing, something which cannot be easily measured but is often anecdotally mentioned by participants.
  • It clears the mind, encourages positivity and builds a sense of self-worth.
  • Swimming can soothe agitation and reduce anxiety, relax the body, supporting the body in a relatively weightless environment.
  • Leisure Centres can also be meeting points, which can help reduce loneliness, introduce you to friends and offer opportunities to socialise.

These four tips are for any swimmer living with dementia, or for your carer.

  1. You can ask for a familiarisation visit at your local pool where you wish to swim. This will allow you, or your carer, to ask all the questions you need to.
  2. Don’t think that because of a diagnosis you have to stop doing activities you enjoy or trying new things.
  3. If you can’t be active because of joint pain, take part in swimming - it’s a low impact form of activity, so it’s easy on your joints.
  4. Do seek the advice of a medical professional if you have any concerns.

Those aged 60+ and their carers go free.

Dementia Friendly Swimming Sessions

Carmarthen Leisure Centre

Dementia Friendly Sessions

Friday: 2:45pm - 3:45pm

Llanelli Leisure Centre

Dementia Friendly Sessions

Wednesday: 2:45pm - 3:45pm

Amman Valley Leisure Centre

Dementia Friendly Sessions

Friday: 2:30pm - 3:30pm

Llandovery Leisure Centre

Dementia Friendly Sessions

Tuesday: 10:30am - 11:30am

Thursday: 10:45am - 11:45am

Join or Book

Pre-booking is essential for all sessions.

You can sign up for this membership by;

  • Click JOIN 
  • Select Site from the drop-down list (please select your preferred centre)
  • Select Start up for a Membership
  • Select Actif 60+ Membership, and select
  • Complete your details
  • Once you've completed these steps you will now receive a confirmation email from us. You will now be able to make bookings

To view all membership options click here

The easiest way to find the up-to-date swimming timetables for each of our centres is by downloading the Actif Sport & Leisure app from the App Store or Google Play. All available swimming sessions to members and customers can be found on the app as well as making a booking.