Building on a successful pilot that delivered over 12,000 lessons in its first year, this 3-year grant will enable the ASF to deliver 72,000 swimming lessons to children aged 8-17, and train 75 new swim teachers nationwide.

The Swim Free programme will continue to ensure that children from serving Royal Navy, Royal Marines and Royal Fleet Auxiliary families gain vital swimming and water safety skills, while also providing opportunities for older siblings and partners of serving personnel to become qualified swimming teachers.

Learning to swim is an essential life skill for young people, as it supports and helps maintain positive mental health, develop confidence, resilience and willingness to try new things – all while staying active.

Over the next three years, Swim Free will reach more families from the Royal Navy community across the UK, providing more swimming opportunities, including family swim days, tailored sessions for young people with special educational needs and disabilities, and community events to bring Royal Navy families together through swimming.

Deirdre Mills, Director of Greenwich Hospital, said: “Working with the Andrew Simpson Foundation to expand the Swim Free programme ensures that more children from Royal Navy families will gain vital swimming and water safety skills, alongside new friendships and the confidence to tackle life’s challenges. It also creates valuable opportunities for family members to gain qualifications and new mobile career pathways.

“This funding reflects our commitment to strengthening Royal Navy communities, encouraging retention and improving the wellbeing of those who serve and their families.”

Richard Percy, Chief Executive Officer at the Andrew Simpson Foundation, said:

“This new funding marks a significant milestone in the journey of Swim Free. By combining free access to high-quality lessons with training and career opportunities for families, we are not just teaching swimming; we are building confidence, resilience, and brighter futures for Naval communities across the UK.

We are grateful to Greenwich Hospital for their continued partnership in making this possible.”

The next wave of swimming lessons, set to take place in Helston and Plymouth, will be available to book from Friday 29th August.

Families can find out more and book lessons at swim-free.org.uk.