Bath Sports and Leisure Centre operator Better has announced the extension of its free membership scheme for refugees, which was launched earlier this year.
The scheme has seen more than 3,000 sign-ups across the country in its first three months.
The most popular location in the local area is Bath Sports and Leisure Centre, with 81 free memberships issued as part of the refugee scheme.
The scheme initially offered new refugees who had entered the UK within the last 12 months a free three month membership at a Better-operated leisure centre. This has now been extended to six months and is open to both adults and juniors.
If recipients are still classified as refugees after this period, they will be eligible to transfer onto Better’s discounted concessionary membership scheme.
Commenting on the extension of the initiative, Barnaby Rich Better Partnership Manager for Bath and North East Somerset said: “We have been delighted by the success of Bath scheme to date.
“The war in Ukraine and the arrival of many Ukrainians in the UK highlighted the plight of refugees from all over the world and we wanted to do our bit to help.
“We all know the mental and physical health benefits of sports and exercise and we hope that by offering these free memberships we will enable refugees to more easily integrate into UK society and enjoy some positive recreational activities.
“The initiative builds on similar schemes that have been implemented by Better, in the past, for example in response to the displacement of people during the peak of the Syrian war.”
Anyone wishing to apply for the free refugee membership scheme should complete an online form here.
