Local leisure centre offers free swimming classes for the over 50s (From The Northern Echo)

Local leisure centre offers free swimming classes for the over 50s

2:31pm Wednesday 30th December 2009 in NHS Darlington and County Durham

Peterlee Leisure Centre is helping local residents to become more healthy in the new year by offering free swimming classes for the over 50s starting from January 2010.

The classes are being supported by the NHS County Durham and Darlington Community Health Services ‘It’s never too late to feel great’ project who are asking local residents to contact them to choose a day of their choice when the swimming sessions should take place.

The scheme is being funded by the Amateur Swimming Association through NHS County Durham and Darlington Community Health Services, and is designed to teach people to swim and/or increase their pool confidence. Sessions will take place at 11am on the preferred day and will run for six weeks. Each of the sessions will last approximately one hour and transport will be provided from a central pick up point from the surrounding local villages.

Gillian Moore, health improvement practitioner, project office for County Durham and Darlington Community Health Services, said: “January is that time of year when people start thinking about turning over a new leaf, and want to start adopting achievable lifestyle changes, whether they want to lose a few pounds or just aim for a healthier physical lifestyle.

“The promise of super-fast results, such as diets may be tempting, but don’t work in the longer term and aren’t good for your health. The best approach to achieve a healthy weight and to adapt your lifestyle gradually is through a well balanced diet and physical exercise.

“Lots of us have very good intentions at the start of the year and slog it out in the gym for the first two weeks of January, only to spend the rest of the year on the sofa. So, it's better to gradually become more active in ways you find enjoyable and going for a swim is a good way to get active.

Anyone interested in taking part in the free swimming sessions should contact Gillian Moore in the project office on 0191 5692803.

ENDS