Thanks to a new partnership with the Andrew Simpson Foundation, children from serving Naval families across the city are invited to take part in the Swim Free programme.
The initiative provides funded swimming lessons at the Mountbatten Leisure Centre to encourage participants to develop a skill for life, and strengthen their connection to the Royal Navy community.
BH Live, a registered charity and social enterprise, operates many of the city’s sports and leisure facilities in partnership with Portsmouth City Council. Its Swimming Academy is one of the biggest swimming lesson providers in Portsmouth, providing lessons for all ages and abilities at Mountbatten Leisure Centre and Charter Community Sports Centre.
The charity has been selected by the Andrew Simpson Foundation to deliver swimming lessons to children and young people from serving Royal Navy, Royal Marines, and Royal Fleet Auxiliary families across the city.
Swim Free is funded by Greenwich Hospital, who support serving and veteran Royal Navy, Royal Marines and Royal Fleet Auxiliary personnel and their families, and has been for over 325 years. They aim to make a real and lasting difference to the lives of those who serve our Nation.
So far, 30 children in the city have benefitted from the lessons and more are expected to enrol later this year. Each young person has received funding for 12 swimming lessons.
As well as being a skill for life, regular swimming also supports mental and physical health, growing confidence, and increasing resilience and willingness to try new things. Children from the armed forces often miss out on enrolling in long-term courses such as swimming lessons due to frequent relocation.
As well as delivering an opportunity to learn this life-saving skill, the Swim Free programme enables participants to meet other young people with a serving parent, helping to foster friendships and build a sense of belonging in the RN community.
More information about Swim Free, including eligibility and how to apply for the programme, can be found at swim-free.org.uk
BH Live is currently helping more than 2,250 people across the city learn to swim through its Swimming Academy programme. Furthermore, pupils from across 20 local primary schools are learning to swim as part of the National Curriculum.
Delivered at Mountbatten Leisure Centre and Charter Community Sports Centre, all BH Live’s Swimming Academy lessons are taught by qualified swimming teachers in line with Swim England’s National Plan to develop participants’ confidence, techniques, and general skills in the water.
All ages and abilities are welcome, with Adult & Baby classes taking place for tots aged 3 months and upwards; Junior classes on offer for children 4-13 years; and Adult classes available for beginners, improvers, and experienced swimmers aged 14+.
In addition to its swimming lesson programme, the centre also offers a weekly timetable of public swim sessions and aqua classes available to both BH Live Active members and pay-as-you-go visitors. The centre regularly hosts national and regional swimming galas and is home to AquaDash!, an inflatable pool-based obstacle course, which opened in 2023.
On behalf of BH Live, Rob Cunningham, Director of Leisure and Business Development shared;
“We are delighted to have partnered with the Andrew Simpson Foundation to deliver these funded swimming lessons to help children build a supportive and friendly environment. As well delivering a life-saving skill, it’s a fantastic opportunity to create an immediate and long-lasting impact on Portsmouth’s younger communities.”
On behalf of Andrew Simpson Foundation, Sam Weeks, Outreach and Communications Manager, shared;
“We are pleased to bring the Swim Free programme to young people from serving Naval families in Portsmouth. By providing funded swimming lessons, we aim to equip children with a life-saving skill while fostering connections within their communities. The support of Greenwich Hospital and our partnership with BH Live ensures that these young swimmers not only gain confidence in the water but also strengthen their sense of belonging in the Royal Navy community.”
Cllr Lee Hunt, Cabinet Member for Community Safety, Leisure & Sport said:
“Swimming is an important life skill to have, especially for people living in Portsmouth as we are surrounded by the sea, and being a naval city it’s fantastic to be able to offer this opportunity to children from serving families.
“Encouraging healthy lifestyles in our communities, and promoting positive physical health is important to us. I have visited both the Andrew Simpson Centre and BH Live’s facilities in Portsmouth, so I’m delighted to see this partnership working in this way to benefit children and families in the city.”
For more information about the Mountbatten Leisure Centre, visit bhliveactive.org.uk/mountbatten.
-ENDS-
Notes to Editors:
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, X – @BHLIVE_UK | 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 the Andrew Simpson Foundation
The Andrew Simpson Foundation (ASF) was inspired by Olympic Gold and Silver medallist Andrew ‘Bart’ Simpson MBE. Our mission is to transform lives through sailing.
Absolutely everything we do is driven by our belief that all young people can excel and succeed in life and work. We believe that the challenges of sailing and watersports do this by promoting health and wellbeing whilst building essential life skills.
Together we Transform Lives through Sailing.
Across the UK we run:
4 x not-for-profit watersports centres
1 Performance Academy
1 Yachting Centre
At each venue we run Charitable Activities which enable young people from all walks of life to experience sailing and watersports, gain accredited qualifications and develop life skills. Our Charitable Activity is funded through our commercial activity, fundraising activity, and individual donations.
To support our work, scan the QR code or head to our website: https://andrewsimpsoncentres.org/foundation/
- £10 would help us purchase a pair of sailing gloves
- £35 would fund one young person on a charitable activity session
- £100 would fund 2 x wetsuits
- £500 would fund 15 life jackets
- £1,260 would fund 6 young people on a 6-week charitable programme
Thank you for your support. Together we transform lives through sailing.
These leisure centres are owned by Portsmouth City Council and run by registered charity BH Live.
Mountbatten Leisure Centre – Portsmouth’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 if 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: X & Facebook @mountbattenlc | Instagram @bhliveactive
Pyramids Centre – BH Live Active, Pyramids is situated in Southsea overlooking the beach and Solent. There is something to suit every activity preference and level of fitness. The centre has state-of-the-art Technogym fitness equipment in an airy spacious gym with a wide range of functional fitness, strength and cardio activities. There is a dedicated assessment area for those who are new to exercise complete with fitness tracking technology to help set activity goals.
Pyramids has four activity studios. The Glasshouse and Solent each have stunning seaviews. There is also the region’s only dedicated HIIT studio running circuits style HIT classes and a Technogym Group cycle studio. Group exercise classes run seven days a week including Group Cycling, HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training), Yoga, Pilates and classes as part of the Les MillsTM programme including BodyPump, BodyCombat and Core.
As part of BH Live Active’s multisite membership, members can also use the gym, pools and classes at Mountbatten and Charter.
Next to Pyramids is a public car park with 154 parking spaces including six accessible spaces. Up to 90 minutes of free parking is available for customers attending the gym or a class – ask or register in centre. There is also free roadside parking along Clarance Esplanade after 6pm. This car park adjacent to Pyramids is managed by Portsmouth City Council and parking charges apply. – see website for details https://www.portsmouth.gov.uk/
Find out more at bhliveactive.org.uk/pyramids
Get social with us: X and Instagram @bhliveactive | Facebook @Pyramids.Centre
Exploria – Exploria at Pyramids in Southsea opened in 2021. It is Portsmouth’s largest indoor soft play and bounce attraction. With a range of exciting experiences, Exploria stimulates play for children aged 6 months and upwards. A tantalising sense of wonder and extreme fun across three connected worlds gives children plenty of action to amaze and delight. Everything, from floor to ceiling, evokes a sense of mystery with lots of jumps, leaps and thrills. All safely rightsized to inspire juniors, toddlers and babies alike.
The bounce zone is great for burning off tons of energy. The diving tower with air bag is perfect for the bravest of explorers. There are interactive games, themed slides. agility parkour, battle beams and foam pits too. Our play zone features ball pits, spider’s web and cargo climbing, a rope bridge skywalk, bash bags, tunnels, rollers, beams plus a dodge ball shoot out. And the baby and toddler zone has all things Exploria, but downsized for little ones of preschool age. There are quieter SEN play and bounce sessions plus a dedicated sensory room with stimulating lights, sound and touch. Four themed party rooms based on Volcanos, an underwater world, Mayan Ruins and Egyptian tomb – great for celebrating special occasions and birthdays, A dedicated Exploria café serves delicious snacks, light bites and drinks. And there’s toilets, accessible facilities, baby change, lockers, and a buggy park too. Exploria can accommodate school group bookings too – a great way to reward a class or year group.
For more and to book online visit exploria.org.uk
Get social with us on Facebook & Instagram @exploriauk
Exploria is located at Clarence Esplanade, Southsea, Portsmouth, PO5 3ST.
There is a pay and display public car park with 154 parking spaces including six accessible spaces. This car park is managed by Portsmouth City Council and parking charges apply. – see website for details https://www.portsmouth.gov.uk/
Portsmouth Gymnastics Centre – Located in Hilsea, a five-minute drive from Portsmouth city centre and next to Mountbatten, Portsmouth Gymnastics Centre is one the leading gymnastics facilities in the country.
A purpose-built gymnastics training facility provides young people and adults the opportunity to develop to a competition level with an artistic and acrobatic gymnastics club programme.
For more visit bhliveactive.org.uk/gymnastics-centre
Get social with us:
Facebook @PortsmouthGymnasticsCentre | X & Instagram @bhliveactive
Portsmouth Tennis Centre – Situated in the north of Portsmouth (Hilsea) next to Mountbatten. Portsmouth Tennis Centre consists of four indoor courts and six floodlit outdoor courts.
There is a comprehensive coaching programme caters for all ages and abilities. Sessions are available for tots, juniors, adults and also includes variations of the sport such as cardio tennis and touch tennis.
For more visit bhliveactive.org.uk/tennis-centre
Get social with us:
X @PortsTennis | Facebook @PortsmouthTC | Instagram @PortsmouthTennisCentre
Wimbledon Park Sports Centre – Located a five-minute drive from Portsmouth city centre, Wimbledon Park Sports Centre has a large sports hall with access to activities such as badminton and indoor sports.
For more visit bhliveactive.org.uk/wimbledon-park
Get social with us:
Facebook @WimbledonParkSportsCentre | X & Instagram @bhliveactive
Charter Community Sports Centre – Located in Portsmouth’s busy university district, a five-minute drive from Portsmouth city centre, Charter Community Sports Centre offers access to swimming, gym, group exercise classes and sports hall activities. There is also an outdoor multi-use games area.
For more visit bhliveactive.org.uk/charter
Get social with us: Facebook @CharterCommunitySC | X & Instagram @bhliveactive