Brookes Sport partners with Oxford City Council to provide free summer activities for local families

Children enjoying the climbing wall

Brookes Sport welcomes YouMove families again to use our Swimming Pool and Climbing Wall facilities for free during the summer holidays.

We are really proud to once again partner with the local council to provide free activities for local families this summer. The YouMove Summer Access runs from Saturday 20 July until Saturday 31 August 2024.

YouMove is a programme for the whole of Oxfordshire, and provides free or low cost sporting activities for families across the county. We hope the free activites we are providing can positive impact the mental health and wellbeing of our local children and young people.

Process for YouMove families

  1. Every family member (aged 3 upwards) needs to be registered individually, to do this, please choose the Pay As You Go option 
    • Once the lead account holder has registered, a 7-digit Brookes Sport Member ID number will be emailed to you
    • When registering children please follow the same process but input the lead account holders email
    • Every account that has registered will receive an email with a link to create a password BUT only the lead adult will need to create a password to book sessions online
  2. Once everyone has registered, please email all family member’s name and Brookes Sport Member ID numbers to sportsmembership@brookes.ac.uk and attach a picture of each YouMove membership card.
  3. The local councils would like us to confirm who has taken up this offer - if you are happy for us to notify them please confirm this when emailing your details over.
  4. Our membership team will then add your Brookes Sport, YouMove Summer Access membership to your and your family’s accounts and link the family's account to a lead adult account. They will email once this is completed - please allow up to three days for this to happen
The lead account holder will be able to book Open Swimming sessions and Casual Climbing sessions through the Book Online portal using their own password and email address. The other family members’ will be linked and can toggle between each family member to make bookings. 

If you have any questions or issues, please contact sportsmembership@brookes.ac.uk 

Climbing Details

All sessions for Casual Climbing and Open Swim’s must be booked in advance. Ahead of every booked session, please check in at the reception. 

If you are planning to Climb, all family members must also complete the Climbing Participation Form - the lead account holder can complete this on behalf of all children (minimum age is 3 years to attend the climbing wall)
  • Please note - there is a maximum of 2 children per supervising adult, per session
  • Climbing shoes are included but we do not hire harnesses or rope

Swimming Supervision Guidelines:

0 to 5 years - must be accompanied in the water 1:1 ratio by a responsible adult
6 to 8 years - must be accompanied in the water 1:2 ratio by a responsible adult
9 to 11 years - must be accompanied in the building by a responsible adult
12 years and older can swim without a responsible adult in the building

Contact us

Brookes Sport, Headington (Climbing): Oxford Brookes University Centre for Sport, Cheney Lane, Headington, Oxford, OX3 0GB (please note there is no parking)

Brookes Sport, Harcourt Hill (Swimming): Brookes Sport, Oxford, OX2 9AT (there is parking when you check in at reception, let them know you have driven!)

Summer Space Bookings 

From 15 July to 31 August 2024, you can also enjoy discounted pitch hire on our Headington Astro. Bookings are only available on the day of the activity and are subject to availability.
  • Cost: £15 for a quarter of the Astro per hour (usually £45)
  • Availability: Call 01865 534100 in the morning to book for that day or walk-ins are also welcome (subject to availability). Bookings are available between 9.00am - 5.00pm with sessions lasting 1 hour.
  • Payment: At reception only, so if you book over the phone, you must check in at reception and make payment upon arrival. Card payments only.
  • Facility: The surface is sand-based, so no studs and ensure shoes are clean.
These pitch bookings are open to all ages. Our pitches are perfect for family fun, friendly football matches or a kickaround with friends. Please note, that those under 12 must be accompanied by a responsible person over 16. Bring your own equipment and arrive ready to play!