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.