Free swimming and lessons launched through £5 million We Are Wychavon Support Fund
Free swimming is on offer to Wychavon residents under 16 and over 60 as the first scheme launches under the £5 million We Are Wychavon Support Fund.
The scheme starts on Saturday, 1 August and gives eligible residents free access to general public swimming sessions at Evesham and Pershore Leisure Centres. Droitwich Spa Leisure Centre will be included once the building fully reopens on 1 September following a multi-million-pound upgrade, but residents can register in advance.
Free swimming lessons are also being funded through the scheme for adult beginners, SEN, non-swimmers aged eight and over, Grade I and young children aged from four months to four years.
To register for free swimming or swimming lessons, residents need to provide proof of age and a Wychavon address for themselves or their children at their chosen leisure centre. Once registered, they will be able to access all general public swimming sessions free of charge. Splash Hour and Droitwich Spa Lido are not included.
As well as reducing the cost of keeping active, the scheme will improve access to safe, supervised swimming pools and give residents of all ages the opportunity to learn a vital life skill.
The We Are Wychavon Support Fund will benefit residents, families, businesses and community groups across the district through investment in four key areas of wellbeing, business, families and young people, and sustainable communities.
Other schemes launching over the coming months include a discounted parking offer, reduced fares for the Worcestershire On Demand bus, support to tackle youth unemployment, investment in apprenticeships and help for community groups through councillor grants. These schemes are still being finalised and will be announced through Wychavon’s e-newsletter, social media channels, website and local media.
Cllr Richard Morris, Leader of Wychavon, said: “Swimming is one of the few activities that can benefit people throughout every stage of life. It helps children develop confidence and a vital life skill, supports adults to stay active and improves physical and mental wellbeing, while helping older people stay fit and independent.
“That’s why we’re proud to make this the first scheme to launch through the We Are Wychavon Support Fund. The fund is only possible because of Wychavon’s careful financial management of taxpayers’ money over the years, allowing us to invest in schemes directly benefitting our residents. That’s an approach we’ll continue to take into the new South Worcestershire Council.”
Nigel Grundy, Managing Director of Wychavon Leisure, said: “We’re delighted to be working with Wychavon District Council to make swimming more accessible for local residents. Whether it’s helping a child gain confidence in the water, supporting an adult to learn to swim for the first time, or encouraging people to stay active later in life, this scheme removes cost as a barrier and opens up opportunities for everyone. We look forward to welcoming more families and residents through our doors and helping them enjoy the many physical, mental and social benefits that swimming can bring.”
Visit www.wychavon.gov.uk/support-fund to find out more.
Residents urged to have their say on future recycling services
Residents are being asked for their views on new ways of collecting textiles, batteries and small electrical items for recycling to help tackle the growing problem of household items being put in the wrong bins.
Options being considered include community recycling points for batteries and small electrical items, a dedicated battery bag for households to safely store and present used batteries for collection, and a kerbside clothing and textile recycling service.
Wychavon already collects batteries, some small electrical items and some textiles through its enhanced recycling service. Instead of putting them in the recycling bin, residents are asked to leave these items on top of their black bin on collection day. However, few residents use the service and all three items regularly end up in recycling bins instead.
Clothing and textiles are among the items most commonly put in recycling bins by mistake. Severn Waste Services, which sorts recycling collected across Worcestershire and Herefordshire, removes more than 200 items of clothing every week from the recycling stream. As well as causing problems with the sorting process, the clothing cannot be recycled and is instead sent to the Energy from Waste plant.
Recent fires in bin lorries have also highlighted the dangers of batteries and electrical items being thrown away incorrectly.
The changes being considered are aimed at making it easier for people to recycle these items, either by encouraging more residents to use the existing service or by introducing new collection options that could expand the range of items that can be recycled.
Cllr Emma Stokes, Wychavon’s Executive Board Member for Resources, Investment and Innovation, said: “We know many residents want to do the right thing and recycle as much as they can, but it’s not always clear how to dispose of some everyday items safely and correctly.
“Whether it’s making it easier to recycle batteries and small electrical items in the community, providing a battery bag for safe storage and collection, or exploring a kerbside clothing and textile recycling service, residents’ feedback will help us shape practical options for the future.
“Every response will help us understand what people need and how we can continue improving recycling across Wychavon.”
Residents can take part by completing the survey at wychavon.gov.uk/waste-and-recycling before Sunday 31 August 2025.
Residents can currently recycle batteries and small electrical items by placing them on top of their black bin on collection day or by taking them to participating shops, supermarkets and Household Recycling Centres. Clothing and textiles can be donated to charity shops if they are in good condition or taken to textile banks at Household Recycling Centres. More information is available on the recycling pages of Wychavon’s website.
Reusable nappy discount scheme launched
A new £50 voucher scheme has been launched to help Wychavon families switch to reusable nappies, cut household waste and save money.
Qualifying residents will be able to claim £50 towards the cost of reusable nappies through The Nappy Lady, the UK’s largest online reusable nappy retailer. Parents and carers will also be able to access expert advice to help them choose the products that best suit their family’s needs.
The average baby gets through about 3,796 disposable nappies before they are potty trained. While reusable nappies cost more to buy initially, families can save up to £1,000 over the time their child is in nappies, even after taking washing costs into account.
Families also don’t have to make the switch completely. Using just one reusable nappy a day alongside disposable nappies can keep around 900 nappies out of black bins over a child’s nappy-wearing years.
To qualify for the scheme, applicants must live in Wychavon and have a child under the age of two. Proof of address and the child’s age will be required as part of the application.
Wychavon also hopes to work with local groups to help promote the scheme and encourage more families to give reusable nappies a try.
Cllr Rick Deller, who co-founded Wychbold Baby Bank, is a supporter of reusable nappies.
“We use reusable nappies with our twins and found they don’t have to be an all-or-nothing choice. We use reusable nappies when we’re at home but on days out we switch to disposable nappies for the convenience. This means we still save money and reduce our waste. It’s great to see Wychavon offer this grant and I encourage more parents and carers to give reusable nappies a try.”
Cllr Emma Stokes, Wychavon’s Executive Board Member for Resources, Investment and Innovation, said: “We’re delighted to be working with The Nappy Lady to offer this voucher scheme which will cut the upfront cost of reusable nappies, to allow more people to make the switch and start saving in the long run as well as supporting our environment.”
Visit www.wychavon.gov.uk/nappies for full details, including the scheme’s terms and conditions and how to apply.