North Yorkshire Council has achieved Swim England’s Water Wellbeing accreditation after improvements were made to swimming provision at four of its leisure centres.
The facilities and pools at Northallerton, Bedale, Thirsk and Sowerby and Stokesley have each been made more accessible and inclusive for people with health conditions.
More than 60 members of staff undertook specialist Activity Alliance training as part of the Water Wellbeing accreditation, giving them a greater knowledge of disabilities and health conditions, teaching them how to offer better support to all pool users.
Adult swim provision at all four sites has also been enhanced to provide greater opportunities for members of their local communities to get active.
Now six months on, pool users have praised the impact that the specialist adult learn to swim programmes now on offer have had on their lives.
North Yorkshire Council’s executive member for leisure services, Cllr Simon Myers, said: “We want our leisure centres to be inclusive for everyone in North Yorkshire.
“It’s fantastic to receive positive feedback from people with a range of long-term health conditions who put their trust in us to support them.
“As a result of this accreditation, we’ve been able to dramatically develop our training programmes so that they are better focused on water-based health and the wellbeing of all who use our pools.”
Woody Whittick, 56, is among those to have recently taken on lessons in Northallerton, 25 years after suffering a serious spinal cord injury which compounded an underlying joint condition and degenerating lumbar discs.
She signed up for a course to help improve her speed, posture and breathing technique after previously struggling with nerve pain and severe cramp when swimming.
Mrs Whittick, of Kirby Wiske, said: “The classes have revolutionised my relationship with swimming. When I used to get in the pool, I found myself in pain and in constant worry of causing further damage to my spinal cord.
“That all stemmed from me having a fear since childhood of putting my face in the water, causing increased pressure on my neck and body which would cause cramp and pain, and also affect my buoyancy and swimming speed.
“But the instructors at Northallerton were amazing, they worked with me on new techniques and ultimately helped me conquer my fear of swimming underwater – which removed the pressure on my vulnerable neck and spine.
“I always used to be embarrassed that I was the slowest person in the slow lane at the pool, but thanks to their help I can swim much faster and further. I now feel confident and love going swimming with my husband.”
Elizabeth Hanson signed up for lessons at Thirsk and Sowerby back in September after arthritis in her hip prevented her from going out running.
Mrs Hanson, 46, from Northallerton, said: “I was getting aching in my hip most nights even after just walking around the block. I’ve always been a terrible swimmer, but I saw the poster in the leisure centre and decided to sign up.
“I wasn’t sure what to expect, but the teachers have been so helpful and I enjoy having a chat with the other swimmers when I need a rest between lengths.
“The discomfort in my hip has reduced significantly since starting to swim regularly. The intense exercise has also been helpful for my psychological wellbeing, concentration and productivity at home and work.
“It has increased my confidence in myself, after being able to improve my swimming skills quickly with the help of the instructors. It’s a really welcoming environment and I’m so pleased that I took the chance and joined up.”
Swim England’s health and wellbeing officer, Matthew Martin, added: “We are delighted that the changes implemented at the four centres as part of the Water Wellbeing accreditation process have been so well received by members of the community.
“Research shows that there are so many health benefits from swimming on a regular basis and the Water Wellbeing accreditation is clearly creating opportunities to enjoy water for people who may not have been able to do so before.”
More information on Water Wellbeing is available on Swim England’s Website at https://www.swimming.org/swimengland/health-and-wellbeing/.
For other aspects of Swim England’s health and wellbeing work, you can get in touch by emailing health@swimming.org.
To find out more about the leisure facilities available in your area, visit North Yorkshire Council’s website at https://www.northyorks.gov.uk/leisure-centres.
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