Local implementation of national policy: a case-study critique of the Free Swimming Initiative for the 60 plus population

Abstract

There is a well-established link between ageing and declining health, and this is exacerbated in areas of socio-economic deprivation. Being physically active can alleviate many of the major health problems for older people, yet participation in this demographic category remains low. This study is part of a larger programme of research concerned with a major national public health intervention, the Free Swimming Initiative. Semi-structured interviews were conducted to address local implementation of the national policy imperative in Wales and explored the views of non-users (n = 20) and community leisure providers (n = 7). The research was based in Abertillery – a traditional mining town in the South Wales Valleys with higher than average levels of social deprivation. Findings revealed a series of weaknesses in the delivery of this public policy intervention. They are (i) a lack of partnership infrastructure, (ii) insufficient participant involvement, (iii) an evidence gap and (iv) disjointed multiple aims.

Keywords:

• ageing
• policy
• Free Swimming Initiative
• social deprivation

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

This paper draws on research commissioned by the Welsh Government. We are grateful to Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council for supporting this study and in particular to all the interviewees. Our thanks are also extended to Sport Wales who chaired the research steering group and colleagues, Steve Martin, Bev Smith and Chris Jennings who supported the evaluation research. We are grateful also to the anonymous reviewers.

Notes

1. The Welsh Government had been known as the Welsh Assembly Government prior to May 2011.

2. Sport Wales had been known as the Sports Council for Wales prior to April 2010.