The funding for a popular scheme offering free swimming to both
veterans and serving members of the Armed Forces is being
increased by the Welsh Government.
The Armed Forces Free Swimming Scheme (AFFS), which launched in
2016, will see its funding almost double to reflect successive
years of increased take up amongst the Armed Forces Community in
Wales.
Whilst funded by Welsh Government, the scheme is managed by the
Welsh Local Government Association (WLGA) and delivered by local
authorities in Wales. The increased funding will allow local
authorities to match the demand for the scheme, which recorded
8,500 swims between April and September last year.
In announcing the decision to increase the budget from £45k to
£80k in 2024-25, the Minister for Culture, Skills and Social
Partnership, said:
“The Armed Forces Free Swimming Scheme represents the Welsh
Government's continued commitment to providing our Armed Forces
community with access to services which meet their specific needs
whilst also recognising the service they have given to their
country.
“Sport and exercise can improve people's lives in so many ways,
and it's important we continue to work together with delivery
partners to provide welcoming and inclusive places and conditions
for everyone to enjoy the physical and mental wellbeing benefits
of sport and exercise.
“I am grateful to the WLGA and our local authority partners for
their role in delivering scheme across Wales and am pleased Sport
Wales has also pledged its support for the Armed Forces community
by recently signing the Armed Forces Covenant.”
Notes to editors
- The AFFS represents the Welsh Government's continued
commitment to provide the Armed Forces Community with access to
services which meet their specific needs and recognise the
service they have given to their country. The scheme was
introduced in 2016, as an extension of the Package of Support for
the Armed Forces and Veterans and complements other practical
measures local authorities have in place to support the Armed
Forces community.
- AFFS is offered to all 22 local authorities and is open to
service people and veterans. The scheme is demand-driven and is
managed on the Welsh Government's behalf by the Welsh Local
Government Association (WLGA).
- The first two quarters of this financial year saw over 8,500
swims recorded, representing a 150% increase on the 3,457 swims
recorded in the same period in the financial year before the
pandemic.
