In partnership with Swim England and other operators, BH Live, the charity that runs leisure centres in Bournemouth and Portsmouth has launched a swim awareness campaign to promote water safety.
According to research from Swim England more than 70% of children are taken out of swimming lessons before they can swim competently. It also revealed that more than half of children are taken out of lessons before mastering basic but vital skills, such as treading water for 30 seconds or floating to live for 60 seconds – skills that are fundamental to a child’s ability to be safe and have great experiences in the water.
The aim of this campaign, which is being promoted across BH Live Active’s social channels, online and in centres with pools, is to inspire and educate more people on the importance of children being competent swimmers and what water safety looks like.
Swim England has said that a big shift in perception is needed concerning the safety of children in the water, and this new data surveyed parents’ opinions around what a child needs to do to be safe.
A majority of adults surveyed believed the safest distance a child should be able to swim is between 5-20 metres, compared to Swim England’s recommendation of 100 metres. Children are either being removed from lessons or stopped at a stage where they would not be able to achieve four of the key competencies. These include safely swimming 100m, treading water for 60 seconds, floating for 30 seconds, and being able to swim in clothing.
Leon Taylor, a former British competitive diver, understands the vital importance of water competency in children. He said:
“Water competency is one of the most important life skills a child can learn. As a former Great Britain diver, I’ve experienced firsthand the joy and confidence that comes with being comfortable in the water. Now, as a father, I see just how crucial it is for every child to develop this skill.
“I urge all parents to keep their children in swimming lessons until they’ve completed their full journey. Ensuring they master these essential skills not only provides peace of mind as they grow older but also gives them a lifelong means of exercise and enjoyment.
“Every time a child enters the water, they should do so with the confidence and knowledge to stay safe. Teaching water safety isn’t just a responsibility ‒ it’s an investment in their future, both in and out of the water.”
Swim England wants to use the #LoveSwimming campaign to highlight the importance of children achieving the water safety competencies, allowing them to have great experiences in water.
Andy Salmon, Swim England’s CEO, added:
“It is vital we ensure our children are staying in lessons to most importantly keep them safe but also to allow them to have great experiences in the water which are so valuable.
“We understand there’s lots of pressure on parents’ finances at the moment, but it is a concern that so many children are being taken out of swimming lessons before they can achieve the four key competencies.
“I hope through the launch of this wave of #LoveSwimming and this new research that we can educate parents on what children should be capable of in the water and keep children in lessons.
“I would encourage any parents who are seeing this to keep your children in lessons – swimming is such a vital skill and will benefit them throughout their lives.”
On behalf of BH Live, Rob Cunningham, Director of Leisure and Business Development, shared;
“In Bournemouth and Portsmouth we deliver more than 500 hours of swimming lessons every week through our Swimming Academy. We’re helping people of all ages and abilities, from babies aged three months and upwards, to learn this vital skill for life.
“This latest research is showing that too many children are leaving lessons early, and that is a very worrying trend. That’s why we are backing Swim England’s awareness campaign to encourage local families to ensure their children reach the basic water competencies and swim regularly to keep those skills fresh.”
On behalf of Portsmouth City Council, Cllr Lee Hunt, Cabinet Member for Community Safety, Leisure & Sport said:
“Swimming is an important life skill to have, especially for people living in Portsmouth as we are surrounded by the sea. I’m delighted to see this awareness campaign being promoted in our city, and we will support BH Live in any way we can.”
On behalf of BCP Council, Councillor David Brown, Portfolio Holder for Health and Wellbeing said:
“We live in a beautiful part of the country and our children and young people are luckier than many to have access some fantastic beaches and river locations here in BCP.
“This easy access to open water means it is really important to ensure that they are well equipped with the swimming basics – including learning vital skills such as how to tread water and float to live, which could really mean the difference in their ability to save themselves if they get into trouble in the water.”
“Swimming is one of the best physical activities to improve our health and fitness and we want all of our residents, young and old, to have the confidence and swimming skills to enjoy our leisure centres and beaches.”
In addition to its BH Live’s swimming lesson programme, BH Live also offers a weekly timetable of public swim sessions and aqua classes across BH Live Active centres. These sessions are available to both BH Live Active members and pay-as-you-go customers, with concessions for people on low income.
Under-5s can also swim for free in BH Live Active centres across Bournemouth and East Dorset when accompanied by a full-paying adult (Littledown, Pelhams, Stokewood and Corfe Mullen). At the Mountbatten Leisure Centre and Charter Community Sports Centre in Portsmouth, under-12s can swim free – T&Cs apply.
More information about BH Live’s Swimming Academy, pool timetables, and sessions, can be found online at bhliveactive.org.uk.
-ENDS-
Notes to Editors:
Image courtesy of Swim England
For more information about BH Live please contact:
Daisy Saunders, PR & Communications Executive
E: press.office@bhlive.org.uk
About BH Live
Champions of community engagement, health and wellness across Dorset, Hampshire, and London
BH Live, a registered charity and social enterprise, is a leading operator of sports and leisure centres, theatres, and event venues. Our vision is to create sustainable and inspiring opportunities, deliver great experiences for our communities, and improve health and well-being.
With a strong commitment to accessibility and community engagement, BH Live continues to enhance the quality of people’s lives, health and wellbeing in the communities it serves.
BH Live was established in 2010. Local authority partners include BCP Council, Portsmouth City Council and Croydon Council.
We are at the heart of the UK’s growing social economy. Together with our partners we are helping to change lives and make a positive impact in the community.
For more visit bhlive.org.uk.
Get social with us: LinkedIn, X – @BHLIVE_UK | Facebook @SocialEnterpriseBHLive | Instagram @bhliveuk
BH Live is a leisure and cultural trust, established in 2010 as a ‘non profit distributing organisation’ (NPDO) for public benefit to promote participation in leisure and cultural events. BH Live is a Company Limited by Guarantee and Registered Charity. Charity No: 1138311. Company No: 07092112. VAT Reg No: 108 2248 37. BH Live (Enterprises) Ltd, is a Private Company Limited by Shares and a wholly owned subsidiary of BH Live. Company No: 07175626. VAT Reg No: 108 2248 37. Registered Office: Bournemouth International Centre, Exeter Road, Bournemouth, BH2 5BH. Registered in England and Wales.
About Littledown Centre
Littledown is operated by the registered charity BH Live in partnership with BCP Council.
Set in 47 acres of parkland, Littledown has some of the finest leisure, swimming, football and gym facilities in the country.
It is ranked among the top performing leisure centres in the UK, is accredited by quality scheme QUEST and is a National Fitness Award winner for the Local Authority/Leisure Trust Gym of the Year and finalist for the Best Group Exercise Gym of the Year.
It has more than 1.2 million attendances a year and is home to clubs including BH Live’s Swimming Academy, Swim Bournemouth, Littledown Juniors Football Club and Play Football. Indoor facilities include 25-metre and 17-metre swimming pools for lane swimming, public swimming sessions, pool-based classes and lessons. There is also a splash pool, steam room and sauna.
The venue has one of the largest gyms in the region complete with activity programmes for young people, and support for people recovering from an illness, injury or who are living with a long-term health condition. There are multiple training zones with ground level and lift access. There is something to suit every activity preference and level of fitness with cardio equipment, free weights and functional fitness training space. Hundreds of group exercise classes run seven days a week such as Group Cycle sessions, circuits, yoga, Pilates, HIIT (High-Intensity Interval Training) and Les Mills™ classes including BodyBalance, BodyPump, BodyCombat, BodyAttack, Sprint and more.
There is a large sports hall for events and multi-sport activities including trampolining, badminton, table tennis, football and gymnastics. Open to members and non members is Littledown’s Terrace Café (with soft play for under 5s) and Lookout at Littledown Bar (18+ only), each with free customer WiFi. Here you can buy all sorts of snacks, meals and drinks to enjoy indoors or outdoors for al fresco refueling, eating, drinking and socialising.
Outdoor features include six floodlit 3G rubber crumb training pitches, grass football pitches, parkland for recreation and events, a cricket pitch and pavilion, lake, children’s playground, a paddling pool (open summer months only), outdoor catering and free customer parking for up to three hours seven days a week. Littledown Park is also home to Littledown Miniature Railway.
ANPR is in operation at BH Live Active, Littledown. Customers get free customer parking for up to 3 hours seven days a week. Charges apply for longer stays.
For more visit bhliveactive.org.uk/littledown
Get social with us: X and Instagram @bhliveactive | Facebook @littledowncentre
About Stokewood Leisure Centre
Stokewood opened as a public baths in 1930.
It is now operated by the registered charity BH Live in partnership with BCP Council.
Set in the heart of the Winton/Charminster area of Bournemouth, Stokewood is a thriving community leisure centre with circa 300,000 attendances a year.
There is a well-equipped gym which is split over two levels with lift access. The group exercises class timetable is extensive with more than 70 classes each week spanning from HIIT to spin to yoga.
In 2024, the centre’s poolside changing rooms were completely transformed with new shower facilities, lockers and toilets. Accessible changing rooms are also available.
The centre is home to local sports clubs for activities including triathlon, water polo, lifeguard training, and Kanku Shotokan Karate. Stokewood is also popular for hosting pool parties, school swimming lessons and Bournemouth Swimming Academy activities.
Free customer parking including accessible spaces for blue badge holders, subject to availability.
For more visit bhliveactive.org.uk/stokewood
Get social with us: X and Instagram @bhliveactive | Facebook @stokewoodleisurecentre
About Pelhams Park Leisure Centre
Located in Kinson (North Bournemouth), BH Live Active, Pelhams is operated by the registered charity BH Live in partnership with BCP Council.
A vibrant community hub, the team at Pelhams works closely with the local community and health groups to provide fitness and social activities for all.
High-quality fitness facilities include a recently refurbished gym (2023) with natural daylight and park views. Equipment includes Technogym’s cardio, resistance equipment for strength and toning, free weights and functional fitness space. An exercise referral team provides guidance and support for people recovering from an illness, injury or who are living with long term health condition.
Swimming facilities include two pools with lane swimming, public swim sessions, pool-based classes, fun for young people, lessons and more. There is also a sauna for post workout relaxation.
Group exercise classes run seven days a week including Les Mills™ BodyPump, BodyJam, BodyCombat, Sprint, Dance, Lifting Techniques, HIIT, yoga, Pilates, Core, Zumba and so much more. There also a dedicated Technogym Group cycle studio with daily classes.
Pelhams is home to BH Live Active’s only Wellness Hub. With power-assisted exercise equipment and classes, this specialist area is a great introduction to being more active. (not included in standard adult membership; extra charges apply).
Open to members and non members there is a Terrace Café with free customer WiFi and a children’s soft play facility. Here you can buy snacks, meals and drinks to enjoy indoors or outdoors.
Outdoors there are outdoor tennis courts for hire plus floodlit 3G rubber crumb artificial training pitches. A £240K investment to refurbish the five-a-side football pitches completed in November 2024.
Free customer parking including accessible spaces for blue badge holders, subject to availability.
For more visit bhliveactive.org.uk/pelhams
Get social with us: X and Instagram @bhliveactive | Facebook @pelhamsparkleisurecentre
About Sir David English Sports Centre
Sir David English Sports Centre is operated by the registered charity BH Live in partnership with Bournemouth School Charitable Trust.
Located on East Way close to Castlepoint shopping centre, the centre has lots of high-quality fitness facilities including a well-equipped gym complete with cardio zone, free weights area, resistance machines and functional fitness spaces.
It has a multi purpose group exercise studio with a timetable of group exercise classes running seven days a week including Les Mills™ BodyPump, BodyCombat and Core, circuits, Pilates, yoga, family gym sessions and more.
The centre also is a community sports venue and a hub for club activities, promoting grassroots sports development and working closely with neighbouring schools to encourage young people to be active.
Outdoors there are three six-a-side 3G rubber crumb training pitches and eight netball courts where teams regularly train and compete on a local, regional and national level.
The centre is also home to AirJumpX, a super-sized indoor inflatable obstacle course with a giant side, jelly mountain, wipe-out balls, and assault course. Public sessions and birthday packages are available.
A brand-new Terrace Café opened in summer 2024.
Free customer parking including accessible spaces for blue badge holders, subject to availability.
Find out more at bhliveactive.org.uk/sir-david-english
Get social with us:
X and Instagram – @bhliveactive | Facebook – @SirDavidEnglishSportsCentre
About BH Live Active, Queen’s Park
Situated close to Queen’s Park Golf Course near Charminster, BH Live Active, Queen’s Park is open to all seven days a week.
It is operated by the registered charity BH Live.
There are multiple well-equipped gym rooms over two floors with a full range of cardiovascular, resistance machines, free weights, functional fitness equipment, and workout zones.
Dedicated wellbeing areas and fitness studios include a brand new Technogym Group Cycle experience and a studio for mindfulness and relaxation.
There is a weekly timetable of classes and activities including Les Mills TM BodyPump, BodyBalance, Sprint, RPM, BodyAttack, yoga and Pilates.
Additional features at BH Live Active, Queen’s Park include a Terrace Café complete with free customer WiFi. Here you can buy all sorts of snacks and drinks to enjoy indoors or outdoors.
Entry into BH Live Active, Queen’s Park is via a set of stairs – there is no ground level access into or around, the building. Alternative facilities with ground-level access and lift facilities are available at Littledown, Stokewood, Sir David English Sports Centre and Pelhams Park.
ANPR is in operation at BH Live Active, Queen’s Park. All visitors must register vehicles in centre on arrival to get free customer parking for up to 2.5 hours per visit.
Find out more at bhliveactive.org.uk/queens-park
Get social with us: X and Instagram @bhliveactive | Facebook @bhliveactivequeenspark
About BH Live Active, Corfe Mullen
BH Live Active, Corfe Mullen is situated in East Dorset. It is a lively community hub, with high-quality fitness facilities for all.
It is operated by the registered charity BH Live.
The gym has two levels, with lift access to a cardio zone, free weights, resistance machines for strength and toning, plus functional fitness areas.
There’s a packed programme of group exercise classes running seven days a week. They include Les Mills™ BodyPump, BodyJam, BodyCombat, Legs Bums and Tums, Sprint, Dance, Bootcamp, Health circuits, HIIT classes, yoga, Pilates, Core, Zumba and much more. Plus, there is a dedicated group cycle studio with daily classes.
The swimming facilities at Corfe Mullen are bright and welcoming offering lane swimming, pool-based classes and lessons. There are also steam and sauna facilities.
Open to members and non members there is a Terrace Café with free customer WiFi and a children’s soft play facility. Here you can buy all sorts of snacks, meals and drinks to enjoy indoors or outdoors.
Free customer parking including accessible spaces for blue badge holders, subject to availability.
The centre is a winner of Sporta’s Impact of New Facility award, and was a Newcomer of the Year finalist in UK Active’s National Fitness Awards.
Find out more at bhlive.org.uk/corfe-mullen
Get social with us: X and Instagram @bhliveactive | Facebook @bhliveactivecorfemullen