Armed Forces Included in Free Swimming Initiative

The London borough of Waltham Forest and GLL work together to support the health and well-being of residents. Waltham Forest Council funds the ‘free swimming’ campaign which is one of the best support schemes in the capital. 
 
We will tell you about who else can benefit from the funded swimming campaign but as we pay our respects for Remembrance Day, we will start with the Armed Forces veterans who live in Waltham Forest. These heroes can swim for free in the borough at any time and can get their membership for no cost.  To sign-up veterans will need to go to reception in any Waltham Forest pool operated by GLL and staff are able to create a free membership which always enables free swimming. Proof of eligibility is the card: https://www.gov.uk/veteran-card.  
 
This incredible scheme is linked to the The Waltham Forest Armed Forces Action plan sets out the local authorities' commitments to the Armed Forces community across eight key areas, in recognition of the disadvantages they may often encounter and was co-designed with veterans, people from the Armed Forces community and organisations that support them. 
 
In Waltham Forest, there are approximately 2,475 veterans who have served in the UK armed forces, which represents about 1% of the population aged 16 and over. 
So, who else can benefit from the ‘free swimming’ programme funded by Waltham Forest Council? 
 
You will have hopefully seen our advertising that over 60s and people with a recognised disability who have an active Pay as you Go card can swim as many times as they like for a year for no extra fees. A Pay as Go membership can be bought for under £12.30 for the year.  
 
Under 3s can always swim for free and during listed school holidays Waltham Forest’s under 18s with any valid Better membership can swim for no extra cost thanks to the support of the local authority.  
 
If you don’t have a Pay As You Go membership and want one to access this scheme, you can SIGN UP HERE