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.
- 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.
- Don’t think that because of a diagnosis you have to stop doing activities you enjoy or trying new things.
- 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.
- 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