Gladstone clients make a splash for Free Swimming

On 1st April 2009, free swimming sessions were made available for those aged 60 and over and those aged 16 and under in 82% of UK local authorities. This welcome government scheme, costing £140m, is intended to get 2 million people more active by the time of the 2012 Olympics. Gladstone is playing a key role in assisting local authorities, trusts and the government to achieve this aim.

For the Free Swimming scheme to be seen as a success, the ability to track and record data will be vital. Local authorities will be required by government to report on the success of the scheme in their area, which could affect their future funding. Many of Gladstone's clients have already called upon the company's professional services consultants to help them design, implement and manage the scheme. These services include registration, controlling access and recording attendance and usage data - all whilst maintaining a free flow of other customers through their reception areas.

GLL (Greenwich Leisure Limited) are using an online registration system via their website to process applications for those aged 16 and under. After filling in the online form, the application details will be automatically added to the Gladstone Plus2 system. Once the application has been confirmed a free swim card is sent out to the applicant.

Other Gladstone clients, such as Leicester City Council, are planning to use smart keytags with contactless swipe technology for those aged 16 and under. Tracy James, Head of the Free Swim program at Leicester, explains how they are planning to manage free swimming;

"In Leicester anyone can come for a free swim in designated session times if they are 16 and under. We would prefer for them all to become members but that is something we cannot make them do! If we can persuade users to sign up they can take advantage of a free swim keytag, eliminating the need for constant age checks.This means faster entry into the leisure centre, which benefits not only those wanting a free swim but also our regular members."

Richard Grazier, Head of Sales for Gladstone Health & Leisure, commented; "The challenge of the Free Swimming scheme for local authorities and trusts is an area where Gladstone customers can benefit from our experience and solutions. Through the supply of cards or keytags we can help leisure centres to fast-track the process, controlling access to the pool and recording important usage information needed to support the scheme and receive the funding available."

Sport England has recently released information on the types of data required for the Free Swimming scheme. These include the total number of free swims for the 60 and over, and the 16 and under age group split into male and female. Along with collecting the free swimming attendance figures, paid swims throughout the period must be recorded and broken down by age group and gender. Gladstone's Plus2 has the capability to collect this data and produce a monthly report on the information required, making it simple for local authorities and trusts to pass this on to Sport England.

Gladstone can also supply many customers with self-service kiosks which can be used to fast-track those on the Free Swimming scheme into the facility. A number of Gladstone clients are also planning to use the self-service kiosks to fast-track their existing paying members so that they don't get caught in queues at reception areas.

The self-service kiosks are fully integrated with Gladstone's access control and turnstile solutions either using their card or collecting a ticket from a kiosk to gain entry whilst still recording the visit. Furthermore, Gladstone's online bookings module, Connect, is used by a number of our clients to empower customers to make their own decisions such as to when they want to book a squash court or class for example.

For more information about how Gladstone can help you with Free Swimming please contact your Account Manager or call us on +44 (0) 1491 20 10 10 or email us at sales@gladstonemrm.com

6 April 2009