Plus One Membership Guidelines

Purpose and Scope 

To enable carers, families and support workers to provide one-to-one assistance for individuals, or groups with additional needs to participate in a variety of activities across Tees Active’s leisure venues.

To provide front of house, operational and management teams with clarity and guidance to deliver the scheme.

To formalise a recognised scheme operating within Tees Active venues, which supports everyone to be more physically active.

Definition

A ‘Carer’ is anyone (paid or unpaid) who looks after a family member, partner, friend or someone who needs additional support to take part in an activity due to illness, disability or health conditions. 

‘Customer’ – a person that requires constant care or supervision while taking part in an activity.

‘Plus One’ – a carer (paid or unpaid), friend or family member who is a responsible adult that provides constant care or supervision of the ‘Customer’ and as a result does not take part independently in the chosen activity. A ‘Plus One’ must be over 16 years of age and capable of assisting/supporting the ‘Customer’. The ‘Plus One’ would be expected to understand the ‘Customers’ condition and be able to support them for the duration of their visit. If more than one ‘Plus One’ is required, a letter from a GP, consultant or place of work is needed stating the number of ‘Plus Ones’ required.

Reference Information

This includes access to activities providing that the ‘Plus One’ attend and remains with an intended beneficiary at all times.

The ‘Plus One’ must remain with the ‘Customer’ and provide care or assistance at all times. Anyone found to be abusing the policy may be charged for their visit or asked to leave the venue.

Reference Documents

  • Tees Active Guidelines & Policies
  • Tees Active Activity Card Information
  • gov.uk website

Plus One Membership

The membership allows ‘Customers’ that require care and assistance to bring a ‘Plus One’ who will be able to access but not participate (on an individual basis) in the activities listed free of charge and applies to individuals who live in and outside of the Borough of Stockton-on-Tees. The ‘Plus One’ can be a different person each visit, providing they are attending with the registered customer and not taking part in the activity themselves.

Member & Carer Access to Facilities

Eligibility and Registration

The ‘Customer’ will need to be registered by providing proof that they qualify for a ‘Plus One’ membership. Proof will need to be in the form of one of the following:

  • Personal Independence Payment – daily living component
    • 16 years +
    • Personal Independence Payment (PIP) can help with extra living costs if the individual has both:
  •  Disability Living Allowance
    • Is being replaced by PIP.
    • Anyone currently receiving this benefit will continue to do so as long as they are eligible.
  • Attendance Allowance
    • Attendance Allowance helps with extra costs if you have a disability severe enough that the individual needs someone to help look after them.
    • Registered Physically or mentally disabled.
    • State pension age or older.
  • Constant Attendance Allowance with an Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit
  • Constant Attendance Allowance with a War Disablement Pension
  • Armed Forces Independence Payment
    • Armed Forces Independence Payment (AFIP) is an additional allowance which provides financial support for service personnel and veterans who have an Armed Forces Compensation Scheme.
  • Child Disability Payment – the middle or highest care rate
    • Child Disability Payment provides support for the extra costs that a disabled child might have.
  • Care rate
    • Middle
      • The individual needs frequent attention from someone during the day, or prolonged or repeated attention at night, in connection with their bodily functions due to a physical or mental disability.
    • Highest
      • The individual needs frequent attention from someone during the day, and prolonged or repeated attention at night, in connection with their bodily functions due to a physical or mental disability.
  • Adult Disability Payment – daily living component
    • Adult Disability Payment to help you if you have a disability or long-term health condition that affects your everyday life.

Upon receiving proof of eligibility, ‘Plus One’ membership will be valid for either 12 months or the date stated on the official documentation.

 Access to Facilities

 This membership applies to all ‘Plus One’ visitors whether they are members or non-members, free access to the following activities when accompanying a ‘Customer’:

  • Activ8 Health & Fitness – Gym
  • Activ8 Health & Fitness – Classes
  • Ice Skating – casual
  • Swimming – casual
  • Indoor Bowls
  • Air Trail
  • Go Climb

The ‘Customer’ must produce their membership card on each occasion and either register their attendance or pay for the activity they are taking part in at reception. The ‘Plus One’ accompanying the ‘Customer’ should also identify themselves as the ‘Customers’ ‘Plus One’  to record their attendance.

Activ8 Health & Fitness – Gym
Following registration, the ‘Plus One’ should identify themselves to a member of the gym team.

Ice Skating & Swimming
Due to the nature of the activity, the ‘Plus One’ will be required to enter the activity area (pool or rink) to provide assistance, support and supervision at all times. Following registration, the ‘Plus One’ should identify themselves to a member of the ice/swim team.

Activ8 Health & Fitness – Fitness Classes
Following registration, the ‘Plus One’ guest should identify themselves to the fitness coach. The coach may suggest a designated area where support can be given more effectively.

Air Trail & GoClimb
Due to the nature of the activity, the ‘Plus One’ will be required to enter the activity area to ensure that constant support and supervision is effective.

After registering the ‘Customer’ and the ‘Plus Ones’ attendance, reception should inform the ‘Plus One’ that they are required to notify the Air Trail/GoClimb Assistant that they are there to support the ‘Customer’.

Examples on how the guidance will apply

Activ8 Health & Fitness – Gym
  • Can the ‘Plus One’ use the gym equipment alongside/independently when assisting/supporting a customer in the gym?
    • No, the Plus One is there to provide additional support to the customer who is taking part in the activity. The safety of the customer and other members takes priority.
    • However, this depends on the level of support required by the customer. If the customer does not need significant assistance, then this is possible If the ‘Plus One’ pays to use the gym and they have had a full induction.
  • Can Activ8 provide a ‘Plus One’ if a customer who needs support wishes to attend, but cannot source someone?
    • Unfortunately, we are unable to provide such assistance. Where a ‘Customer’ requires actual support for their activity, it is their responsibility to provide such support conducive to the activity they intend to participate in.
Activ8 Health & Fitness – Fitness Classes
  • Can the ‘Plus One’ participate alongside/independently when assisting/supporting a customer in an exercise class?
    • No, the ‘Plus One’ is there to provide additional support to the customer who is taking part in the activity. The safety of the customer and other members takes priority.
    • However, this depends on the level of support required by the customer. If the customer does not need significant assistance, then this is possible If the ‘Plus One’ has paid to attend the class in line with Tees Active policies.
  • Can Activ8 provide a ‘Plus One ’if a ‘Customer’ who needs support wishes to attend, but cannot source someone?
    • Unfortunately, we are unable to provide such assistance. Where a ‘Customer’ requires actual support for their activity, it is their responsibility to provide such support conducive to the activity they intend to participate in.
Ice Skating – Casual
  • Can the ‘Plus One’ skate independently when assisting/supporting a customer in the Ice Arena?
    • No, the ‘Plus One’ must remain in close proximity of the customer at all times when in the Ice Arena. They must skate with/alongside the customer to enable them to maintain adequate support if required. However, if the customer only requires assistance putting skates on/off or getting on/off the ice, the ‘Plus One’ is required to remain in the Ice Arena/visible to the customer at all times – they are not allowed to leave the Ice Arena.
  • Can the ‘Plus One’ attend all skating sessions free of charge with the customer?
    • No, this policy applies to all Simply Skate Sessions. Figure Skating/Private Lessons sessions (must be able to skate at Skate UK/TAL Awards Level 5 or above to attend these sessions). This policy does not extend to Pulse or Special Event sessions.
  • Where a customer does not require the ‘Plus One’ support on the ice rink, can the ‘Plus One’ leave the Ice Arena?
    • No, the ‘Plus One’ must remain with the customer at all times for the duration of the visit. Depending on the level of support the ‘Plus One’ is required to provide to the customer, the ‘Plus One’ will either remain on the ice rink or in the Ice Arena itself.
  • Where a ‘Plus One’ is unable to skate, can the centre provide a member of staff to assist the customer whilst they skate?
    • Unfortunately, we are unable to provide such assistance. Where a customer requires actual support for their activity, it is their responsibility to provide such support conducive to the activity they intend to participate in.
Swimming
  • Can the ‘Plus One’ swim independently when assisting/supporting a customer in the swimming pool.
    • No, the ‘Plus One’ must remain in close proximity of the customer at all times when in the pool. They must swim with/alongside the customer to enable them to assist/maintain adequate support.
    • However, If the customer does not need significant assistance, then this is possible If the ‘Plus One’ has paid for the swim session in line with TAL policies.
Air Trail
  • Does the ‘Plus One’ need to participate in the activity?
    • Depending on the needs of the individual, the ‘Plus One’ might have to fully participate in the activity to provide support throughout the experience. However, if it is appropriate for the individual, the ‘Plus One’ can provide support from the ground.
GoClimb
  • Does the ‘Plus One’ have to climb the walls with the customer?
    • No, due to the nature of the climbing walls, only one person is allowed to climb each module at any one time. However, the ‘Plus One’ can accompany the customer throughout their visit in the climbing zone, if they wear the high visibility waistcoats provided during the Induction Process and stand at the approved position per wall/as outlined in the Induction Process.
    • If the customer does not require the ‘Plus One’ near them in the Climbing Zones, then the ‘Plus One’ is to remain in the seating area of GoClimb for the duration of the visit. Please note that if the ‘Plus One’ wishes to climb the walls, they must pay for the experience and complete the Induction Process beforehand each session.
Indoor Bowls
  • Can the ‘Plus One’ take part in a Bowls Session alongside/independently when assisting/supporting a customer in the Bowls?
    • No, the ‘Plus One’ is there to provide assistance and additional support to the customer who is taking part in the activity. The safety of the customer & other members comes first.
    • However, this depends on the level of support required by the customer. If the customer does not need significant assistance, then this is possible. IF the ‘Plus One’ has paid for a Bowls Session in line with TAL policies.
  • Can the Bowls club provide a ‘Plus One’ if a customer who needs support wishes to attend, but cannot source someone?
    • Unfortunately, we are unable to provide such assistance. Where a customer requires actual support for their activity, it is their responsibility to provide such support conducive to the activity they intend to participate in.
  • Where a customer does not require the ‘Plus One’ support on the Bowls green, can the ‘Plus One’ leave the venue until the end of the session?
    • No, the ‘Plus One’ must remain with the customer at all times for the duration of the visit. Depending on the level of support the ‘Plus One’ is required to provide to the customer, the ‘Plus One’ will remain in the Bowls Hall at all times.
  • Can the ‘Customer’ make use of any of the equipment available within the Bowls Hall for example the Wheelchair/ Bowling Aid/ Bowls?
    • Yes, but they will need to inform the receptionist on arrival who will ask a member of staff to show you the location of the equipment.

Access for All

Find out more about accessibility across Tees Active venues as well as our range of accessible sessions.

FIND OUT MORE

Join Our Newsletters




Click to select your chosen newsletters

Proud to work in partnership

Find out more about how Tees Active are working with partners to drive positive change in the community.

Find Out More

BOOKING FAQS