Young people in Wolverhampton, West Midlands, can continue to access free swimming sessions in February 2026 to help them stay active and save families money. The programme at the Wolverhampton Swimming and Fitness Centre (Bentley Bridge) is available to Wolverhampton residents aged up to 18 — and up to 25 for care leavers or young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) — who register for a WV Active account and a Yo! Active subscription.
The initiative is part of the Yo! Active project, a long-term partnership between the City of Wolverhampton Council and the Wolves Foundation (the official charity of Wolverhampton Wanderers FC). By removing the cost of entry, local leaders hope to encourage more children to learn vital water-safety skills and improve physical health.
The centre at Bentley Bridge is built and operated by Places for People Leisure Ltd (trading as Places Leisure) and is particularly popular because it features a leisure pool with a flume, rapids and slides. To access the free sessions, young people must register for a WV Active account, take out a Yo! Active subscription and activate their account in person by providing proof of eligibility — for example a Wolverhampton postcode or other evidence requested at registration (the council site lists eligibility requirements in full).
Staff at the centre are preparing for a busy period during the February half-term (16–20 February 2026). The facility has warned families that demand rises substantially over the break and recommends booking at least 48 hours in advance to secure places; council and programme briefings have also cited a significant surge in attendance around half-term.
Wolverhampton remains one of the few local authorities in the country to offer year‑round free swimming for young people. The programme is funded through a multi‑million‑pound public‑health grant and social value contributions embedded in the leisure-management arrangements, and aims to make sure every child in the community is confident in the water before they reach secondary school.
For full details on eligibility, how to register and how to book, check the City of Wolverhampton Council Yo! Active pages, WV Active information and the Wolves Foundation Yo! Active guidance.
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