Free sport for more mature Liverpool citizens! (Garston and Halewood Liberal Democrats)

Garston and Halewood Liberal Democrats <info@garstonld.org.uk>

Free sport for more mature Liverpool citizens!

October 13, 2008 12:00 AM

EVERY Liverpool resident over 60 is being offered free swimming, gym membership, badminton, squash and tennis.

It is part of an ambitious drive to improve the health and fitness of the city's 70,000 senior citizens.

The city council and Liverpool Primary Care Trust (PCT) wants every adult to take part in 30 minutes of physical activity five times a week and reduce the growing problem of obesity and help people stay healthy.

The Senior Lifestyles Card comes in on December 1st offering free use of all 13 city council Lifestyles Centres including swimming pools, gyms and squash, badminton and tennis courts.

Lib Dem City council leader Warren Bradley said: "This is a fantastic offer which will be of real and lasting benefit to thousands of senior citizens in the city. We are committed to doing everything we can to get everyone as fit and healthy as possible and helping reduce heart disease and obesity - the biggest killers among older people.

"This will be worth every penny and will not only help improve the quality of life for thousands, but in the longer term save the council and the NHS a small fortune by reducing care costs and medical bills.

"I am encouraging every one of Liverpool's seniors to take up this great offer. Once you take the plunge, improving fitness can be fun as well as rewarding. Join up with your friends and neighbours. Our centres have trained experts who will help you every step on the way to a new, healthier you."

The city council already offers free leisure facilities to 60,000 under 17s in Liverpool. Since it was launched in 2006, the "Lifestyle Futures" programme increased the number of young people using leisure centres by a massive 60 percent. It is hoped the senior citizens' scheme will attract a similar increase.

The free Senior Lifestyle Card will cost £200k per year to run, and is jointly funded by Liverpool City Council and Liverpool PCT and a full review will be carried out after four months to evaluate the scheme and decide on the long term free use of leisure facilities.

"Undertaking healthy lifestyle changes, such as becoming more active, can help to lengthen your life so this initiative will make a positive difference to the health of our older residents in the city.

"This initiative will also compliment Liverpool's Challenge, a year long campaign which is asking the city to join together to collectively pledge to lose a million pounds of weight and adopt healthier lifestyles."

The Senior Lifestyles Card will only be available to residents aged 60 years or over who reside within the boundaries of Liverpool City Council.

Application forms for the new Senior Lifestyles Card will be available from November 1st at all Lifestyles centres, or can downloaded from the city council's website at www.liverpool.gov.uk. Proof of age and residency in the city will need to be provided.

The new scheme does not include golf or any coached activity or team sport. Free access to the city's Lifestyle Centres is from the time of opening to 4pm each weekday and from 12 noon at weekends. It will be subject to the opening hours of each centre and availability outside organised group activities.