Freedom Leisure now supports the West Sussex County Council's (WSCC) Children's Fund "Activities Access" Voucher Scheme.

The funded project is specifically designed to help improve the lives of vulnerable children aged between 5-16 years old in West Sussex.

Freedom Leisure West Sussex sites including K2 Crawley, Burgess Hill, Haywards Heath, East Grinstead and Hassocks Sports Centre will be able to offer children on the scheme a variety of fun activities including swimming, trampolining, holiday clubs, day camps and children's fitness classes.

The scheme was established in 2004, to provide vulnerable children with vouchers to access out-of-school and holiday activities as it is believed they benefit from long-term involvement in community and out-of-school activities.

Children chosen to participate in the scheme receive £50 worth of vouchers each school term and £75 during the summer term which can be redeemed for free or reduced price access to a range of activities across the county. Children need to be identified by schools and other relevant professionals. To be eligible for the scheme children will need to satisfy certain criteria.

Currently there are 108 primary, secondary and special schools in West Sussex nominating children to receive vouchers as well as a number of professionals.

Freedom Leisure is part of more than 300 registered organisations who accept vouchers including The Scouts and The Guides, play schemes, school based clubs, arts, dance and drama, sports coaching and West Sussex Libraries and Schools Music Service with new services continually being added. In addition, other groups can nominate independently to the voucher scheme including Schools Nurses, Young Carers and the MEND programme.

Simon Adby, programming and development manager for Freedom Leisure, said: "We're really pleased to be part of the Access Activities Voucher Scheme. We're always keen to help children become more active and this is a great way to involve those that may otherwise not have regular access to leisure facilities."

Clare Deacon, Activities Access Officer, West Sussex County Council, added: "The Voucher Scheme is a fantastic initiative which is enabling children and young people across West Sussex, who would not normally get involved, to access a wide range of out of school activities. With the support of activity providers like Freedom Leisure we hope that the Voucher Scheme will be able to secure funding in the future and ensure its continued success."