Access To Leisure And Learning
Online Services
Download an access to leisure and learning application form.
About the scheme
Access to Leisure and Learning is the discount scheme offered by us. It offers opportunities to people who are on a low income, disabled, or in full-time education to take part in leisure and sporting activities at a reduced rate.
Who can join
If you live in the BH postcode and receive one of the following benefits:
- Tax credits (WTC and CTC, CTC only or WTC and disability element) also household gross annual income for 2008/09 must be £16,330 or less*
- Housing or Council Tax Benefit*
- Income Support or Guarantee Pension Credit*
- Job Seekers Allowance (income based)*
- Job Seekers Allowance (contribution based)
- NHS HC2 Certificate
- Attendance Allowance
- Disability Living Allowance
- Incapacity Benefit - Higher or Long Term Rate
- Industrial Injuries Benefit
- Carer's Allowance
- Severe Disablement Allowance
- War Disablement Pension
- Social Services Cardholders
- Full-time student in further or higher education - aged 18 or over
- Modern Apprenticeship
*starred benefits mean that dependants living with the benefit claimant can also join.
How much does it cost
Membership is subject to an annual fee depending on your circumstances;
- Over 16 years - £2.50
- Under 16's - £2.00
- Family Membership - £4.00
- Under 3's - free
Please note: the family membership is available only when family members apply at the same time.
You can use the card to receive discounts at:
- Ashdown Leisure Centre
- Broadstone Leisure Centre
- Dolphin Swimming Pool
- East Dorset Lawn Tennis & Croquet Club
- Hamworthy Outdoor Education Centre
- Lighthouse – Poole’s Centre for the Arts
- Poole Adult Learning
- Poole Park tennis, putting green and crazy golf
- Rossmore Leisure Centre
- 'What's on Wednesdays' at the Study Gallery
- also on Beach Hut hire (April and September) and playing bowls at 4 locations
- Rockley watersports at Poole Park Lake
- on the rental of allotments.
How to become a member/renew a card
If you are eligible for Access to Leisure and Learning membership you will need to provide for all applicants above 3 years of age the following:
- one recent passport sized (2.5 cm x 3.5 cm) photograph
- the correct proof of eligibility for each applicant
- the annual membership fee in cash or cheque
Please note: Children under 3 will not be issued with their own Access to Leisure and Learning card but their names and dates of birth should be included on the application form.
- If you are renewing your membership please also bring your old card
- Every applicant will need to sign and collect their card personally
- To obtain family memberships the named benefit claimant must be present
Where to enrol
Where to enrol
You can enrol for your Access to Leisure and Learning card at any of the following venues:
| Venue | Address | Opening times |
|---|---|---|
| Financial Services | Civic Centre, Poole | Mon - Thurs 9.00am - 5.00pm, Fri 9.00am - 4.00pm |
| The Lighthouse | Kingland Road, Poole | Mon, Tues, Thurs & Fri 12 noon to 6.00pm Weds & Sat 4.00pm - 6.00pm |
| Ashdown Leisure Centre | Adastral Road, Canford Heath | Mon - Fri 10.00am - 4.00pm |
| Rossmore Leisure Centre | Herbert Avenue, Parkstone | Mon - Fri 10.00am - 4.00pm |
| Dolphin Swimming Pool | Kingland Road, Poole | Mon - Fri 10.00am - 4.00pm |
| Poole Adult Learning Centre | Wimborne Road, Oakdale | Mon - Fri 9.00am - 4.30pm |
Your card/s will normally be issued while you wait. At busy times we may ask you to collect your card/s the following day.
Group Memberships
ATL&L group memberships are available to residential homes, day centres and special schools, whose service users are eligible to join the scheme, i.e. they –
- live within the ‘BH’ post code district
- are in receipt of one of the benefits as listed in the ATL&L leaflet
but need some support to take part in activities.
Group membership enables up to 20 people (including the appropriate staff ratio) to visit, for example, the Dolphin Swimming Pool, Ashdown and Rossmore Leisure Centres and receive up to 75% off the standard charge per person. Please note that groups attending Lighthouse, Poole’s Centre for the Arts are limited to 10 including helpers and if wheelchair spaces are required, availability should be discussed with the Box Office.
The annual fee for a group card is £13.25 (including VAT).
If you require further information, or would like to apply for a group membership card, please contact Lynda Adby by email: l.adby@poole.gov.uk or telephone: 01202 261318.
Terms and Conditions
Terms and conditions for using this scheme are published on the application form.
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