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 those aged 60+ and aged 16 and Under

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

Carmarthen Leisure Centre

60+ Sessions

Monday: 9.00pm - 10.00pm

Tuesday: 8.15am - 9.15am

Thursday: 2.45pm - 3.45pm *session that is suitable for those with dementia and their carers.

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

2nd September, 30th September, 28th October, 11th November, 18th November, 9th December, 16th Dec

Llanelli Leisure Centre

60+ Sessions

Monday:  9.30am; 9.45am

Tuesday:  2.30pm; 2.45pm

Wednesday: 2.30pm; 2.45pm

Thursday:  9.30am; 9.45am

16 and Under Sessions

Sunday: 3.30pm

Amman Valley Leisure Centre

60+ Sessions

Friday:  2.15pm

Tuesday:  9.45am

Wednesday 2.15pm

Thursday:  12.45pm

Friday:  2.30pm *session that is suitable for those with dementia and their carers.

16 and Under Sessions

Sunday:  12.45pm

Llandovery Leisure Centre

60+ Sessions

Thursday: 10.00am *session that is suitable for those with dementia and their carers.

Friday:  12.00pm

16 and Under Sessions

Sunday:  11.30am

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.

Amman Valley Leisure Centre

Dementia Friendly Sessions

Friday:  2.30pm - 3.30pm

Llandovery Leisure Centre

Dementia Friendly Sessions

Thursday: 10.00am - 11.00am

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 / Restart a Membership
  • Select Actif 60+ Stage 1, and click next
  • 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