Starting next month, Mountbatten Leisure Centre is launching fun and energetic after-school multi-sport sessions for children aged 5–13 — the perfect way to stay active, make new friends, and burn off some after-school energy!
Organised by local charity and social enterprise BH Live, these sessions are designed to give kids more chances to enjoy sports and fitness outside of school in a supportive, social environment.
Led by friendly BH Live Active instructors, each session will offer a mix of exciting games and sports — think badminton, table tennis, football, basketball, soft archery, dodgeball, tag, and loads more. Every week brings something new to keep things fresh and fun.
These sessions are also a great way to help children stay healthy. A recent Sport England survey (2024) showed that only 57.1% of children aged 5–16 are active for more than 30 minutes a day outside of school, even though the NHS recommends at least 60 minutes of activity daily.
These sessions are a simple, fun way to bridge that gap. Here’s what you need to know:
- Dates: From Monday 2 June to Friday 18 July 2025 (pilot programme)
- When: Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays | 4pm – 5:45pm
- Flexible pick-up and drop-off times – drop off as early as 3:45pm and pick up as late as 6pm
- Where: Mountbatten Leisure Centre, Northsea
- Cost: £6.50 per session, (£4.50 for BH Live Active junior members)
- Spaces: Up to 20 children per session
- How to book: Sessions can be booked up to two weeks in advance on a pay-as-you-go basis. Book via the BH Live Active app or online at bhliveactive.org.uk.
The Mountbatten Leisure Centre is owned by Portsmouth City Council and operated in partnership with BH Live.
On behalf of BH Live, Portsmouth Cluster Manager, Matt Low, said:
“We’re really excited to be launching these after-school sessions. They’re a great way for kids to stay active, build confidence, and have fun after school. Our BH Live Active instructors are ready to make every session enjoyable and welcoming!”
Cllr Lee Hunt, Cabinet Member for Community Safety, Leisure & Sport at Portsmouth City Council added:
“Encouraging young people in the city to get active is one of our main priorities, so it’s fantastic to see that BH Live are running these after school sessions. It’s a great opportunity to try a range of sports and activities in a supportive environment, along with the chance to make new friends. I’m hoping this will be a big success!”
If the pilot goes well, there are plans to bring the sessions back again in September.
Got questions? Drop the centre an email at mountbatten@bhlive.org.uk.
To find out more about the Mountbatten Leisure Centre, visit bhliveactive.org.uk/Mountbatten
-ENDS-
Notes to Editors:
*Physical activity guidelines for children and young people – NHS, accessed Friday 9 May 2025, page last reviewed 23 October 2024.
For more information about BH Live please contact:
Daisy Saunders, PR & Communications Executive
E: press.office@bhlive.org.uk
About BH Live
Champions of community engagement, health and wellness across Dorset, Hampshire, and London
BH Live, a registered charity and social enterprise, is a leading operator of sports and leisure centres, theatres, and event venues. Our vision is to create sustainable and inspiring opportunities, deliver great experiences for our communities, and improve health and well-being.
With a strong commitment to accessibility and community engagement, BH Live continues to enhance the quality of people’s lives, health and wellbeing in the communities it serves.
BH Live was established in 2010. Local authority partners include BCP Council, Portsmouth City Council and Croydon Council.
We are at the heart of the UK’s growing social economy. Together with our partners we are helping to change lives and make a positive impact in the community.
For more visit bhlive.org.uk.
Get social with us:
LinkedIn – BH Live
Facebook – @SocialEnterpriseBHLive
Instagram @bhliveuk
BH Live is a leisure and cultural trust, established in 2010 as a ‘non profit distributing organisation’ (NPDO) for public benefit to promote participation in leisure and cultural events. BH Live is a Company Limited by Guarantee and Registered Charity. Charity No: 1138311. Company No: 07092112. VAT Reg No: 108 2248 37. BH Live (Enterprises) Ltd, is a Private Company Limited by Shares and a wholly owned subsidiary of BH Live. Company No: 07175626. VAT Reg No: 108 2248 37. Registered Office: Bournemouth International Centre, Exeter Road, Bournemouth, BH2 5BH. Registered in England and Wales.
About Mountbatten Leisure Centre
Owned by Portsmouth City Council and operated in partnership with registered charity and social enterprise BH Live, Mountbatten is the city’s flagship leisure and event venue.
Located in the heart of Hilsea, Mountbatten is located just a short distance from Portsmouth’s city centre. Its large, well-equipped gym (accessible by lift) has multiple zones with something to suit every activity preference and level of fitness. Dedicated training areas have lots of cardio kit to choose from, free weights, functional fitness spaces and more.
With health and wellbeing professionals on hand, there is also an exercise referral team to offer guidance and support for individuals recovering from an illness, injury or long-term health condition. Group exercise classes run seven days a week and include Les Mills™ BodyPump, BodyCombat, Sprint, Grit, Group Cycle, Bootcamp, Shapes, yoga, Pilates, aqua, group cycle, circuits, and more.
There is a 50-metre swimming pool (divided into two) with regular public swimming sessions, lane swimming, pool-based classes and lessons. There is also a smaller teaching pool for little ones and lessons. Mountbatten is home to AquaDash – a large pool inflatable course – great fun for young people, team building away days, and parties. Spa facilities include a sauna, spa bath and steam room.
Mountbatten offers a broad health and wellbeing programme which focuses on helping people with long-term conditions to stay active and build their confidence in one one-on-one or group settings
Mountbatten is also home to a Clip ‘N Climb leisure attraction and an eight-court sports hall where multi-sport activities and events are held throughout the year in partnership with local clubs and schools. An outdoor velodrome and athletics track hosts regular training, events and competitions throughout the year.
Open to members and non-members, a Terrace Café has free customer WiFi and a children’s soft play facility. Here you can buy all sorts of snacks, meals and drinks.
From August 2024, ANPR will be in operation. There is free customer parking for up to four hours seven days a week with accessible spaces for Blue Badge holders. Charges apply for longer stays – see car park signage for details.
Find out more at bhliveactive.org.uk/mountbatten
Get social with us:
Facebook – @mountbattenlc
Instagram – @bhliveactive