This report investigates the impact of an intervention project named re:fresh, which works in providing universal free access to leisure facilities alongside outreach and marketing activities in a deprived local authority area in the northwest of England. The project was introduced in Blackburn with Darwen, a deprived LA in the northwest of England in 2008, that provided free access to activities in leisure centres (swimming pools and gyms) at most times of the day along with community outreach activities.
The study found that the intervention was successful in increasing attendances at swimming and gym session by 64%. Additionally they found that the effect of participation in physical activity was significantly greater for the more disadvantaged socioeconomic group. The study suggests that removing user charges from leisure facilities in combination with outreach and marketing activities can increase overall population levels of physical activity while reducing inequalities.