MANCHESTER RESIDENTS AGED 16 AND UNDER & OVER 60 SWIM FOR FREE

Over 60s can swim for free during any 'Swim for All' session or ‘Swim for Fitness’ session, anytime at our pools across Manchester.

Manchester residents aged 16 and under can swim for free during any ‘Swim for All’ session during school holidays and at selected times at the weekends during term time:

Centre

Saturday

Sunday

Abraham Moss Library & Leisure Centre

11am - 1pm

11am - 1pm

Arcadia Library & Leisure Centre

9am – 11am

1pm – 3pm

East Manchester Leisure Centre

10am – 12pm

1pm – 3pm

Hough End Leisure Centre

3pm – 5pm

3pm – 5pm

Moss Side Leisure Centre

12pm – 2pm

12pm – 2pm

North City Family & Fitness Centre

12pm – 2pm

1pm – 3pm

Accessing free swimming for is easy! Here’s 3 easy ways for you to choose from:

1. Via our app

2. Via our website

3. In person

All that’s needed is a Junior MCRactive Pay As You Go membership or Senior MCRactive Pay As You Go membership if you are over 60. The card is free and if you havent got one already you can get one in the following ways.

Eligibility

To be eligible for these cards, individuals should live within the City of Manchester, paying council tax to Manchester City Council.

View and check your local council here

1. SIGN UP FOR FREE SWIMMING USING THE APP

App

Download the Better UK app

The app is available to download on Google Play and Apple store.

Google Play store

Apple Store

 

Once downloaded:

  • Select a home centre (The card will be valid across all Manchester centres so it does not matter which centre you choose)
  • Select Buy and Manage Membership
  • Memberships type, select 'MCRactive Discount'
  • Payment Type - select single payment
  • Choose MCRactive Junior Resident or MCRactive Discount Adult Concessionary Over 60s (Resident) membership and click 'Choose this Membership'
  • Fill in the online form and set a password for your account.

Enter your child’s details and confirm the Health Statement and select continue. This will generate an email with your child’s membership details to the email address you provided.

 

Making a booking via the App 

  1. Log into the app using the email and password used during the sign up process
  2. Select the centre you wish to swim at, you can change this under ‘your club’
  3. Select book swimming
  4. Select swim for all
  5. Choose the date and time for their swim and select book
  6. Your selection box will pop up in the window, use the plus button to add one child ticket to the basket
  7. Click book now
  8. Click checkout now and continue
  9. Agree to the booking terms and conditions
  10. Click confirm booking and a banner will appear to confirm order completed successfully

2. SIGN UP FOR FREE SWIMMING VIA OUR WEBSITE

Visit https://memberships.better.org.uk to start the registration process

  1. Enter postcode to filter to centres closest to you. 
  2. Enter postcode to filter to centres closest to you, select the centre of choice
  3. Membership type – select MCRactive Discount
  4. Payment type – select single payment
  5. Choose Choose MCRactive Junior Resident or MCRactive Discount Adult Concessionary Over 60s (Resident) membership and click 'Choose this Membership'
  6. Fill in the online form and set a password to your account

Free Swimming sessions take place at various MCRactive Leisure centres across Manchester. The links below will take you to the timetable page for the centres listed.

Making a booking via the website

  1. Head to www.better.org.uk/book-activity to find your nearest centre, 
  2. Select Swimming
  3. Select Swim for All
  4. Choose the date and time for their swim and select book
  5. Your selection box will pop up in the window, use the plus button to add your childs ticket to the basket
  6. Click Book Now
  7. Click Continue
  8. Agree to the terms and conditions
  9. Click Confirm Bbooking
Arcadia Library & Leisure Centre VIEW TIMETABLE
   
Manchester Aquatics Centre VIEW TIMETABLE
   
Moss Side Leisure Centre VIEW TIMETABLE
   
North City VIEW TIMETABLE
   
East Manchester Leisure Centre VIEW TIMETABLE
   
Hough End Leisure Centre VIEW TIMETABLE
   
Abraham Moss Library & Leisure Centre VIEW TIMETABLE

 

3. DROP INTO YOUR NEAREST CENTRE

We can't guarantee spaces will always be available, but you also have the option to simply drop in and book in person. 

You will need a free MCRactive card to access free swimming sessions but our team can show you how to quickly sign up for one in centre.