Level Water boosts swimming lesson programme

BH Live has partnered with swimming charity Level Water to broaden its learn-to-swim programme and encourage more local disabled children to get active and enjoy the benefits of being more confident in the water.

BH Live already runs a well-established learn-to-swim programme across the region with more than 3,000 people taking part each week.

Level Water recently interviewed more than 450 families nationwide and found that while 93% of children with disabilities enjoyed swimming, only 13% had good access to swimming lessons.

Funded by Level Water, BH Live now delivers free one-to-one support and dedicated teaching sessions for children aged 4-11 who have a physical disability or sensory impairment and cannot currently swim ten metres.

BH Live’s swimming teachers have received specialist disability training from the Amateur Swimming Association and Level Water covers the cost of the lessons until the child is ready to progress further.

Lessons currently run at Littledown Centre in Bournemouth and could be rolled out at other local venues in the future.

“Learning to swim creates three big changes for a child, says Ian Thwaites, Director at Level Water.

“Firstly, water is a real equalizer and many children say they don’t feel disabled in the water.  Weightlessness relieves pain, and many families report lessons have a positive effect on physiotherapy, particularly helping children with mobility, strength and balance.

“Secondly, we provide the personal and developmental tools that sport teaches.  Children are socially included in group lessons and self-esteem grows as they overcome challenges.  Confidence grows as they succeed and become competent in a new environment.  Thirdly, inactive children become active.  Disabled children are much more likely to become overweight or obese, simply because they are not included in sport and physical activity.”

“Swimming is one of the most popular activities across our venues, says Mike Lyons, BH Live’s director of sport and leisure. Partnering with Level Water has enabled us to reach out to even more young people and get them into our pools. As well as learning a new, and potentially lifesaving skill they are having a great time too. And for us that’s what it’s all about.”

To find more about swimming lessons funded by Level Water email contact@levelwater.org

-ENDS-

Notes to Editors:

For more information about Level Water please contact:

Ian Thwaites (Director) ian@levelwater.org
Colette McCarthy (Projects and Fundraising) colette@levelwater.org

For more information about BH Live please contact:

Elizabeth Symmons, PR & Corporate Communications Executive
E: press.office@bhlive.org.uk
T: (01202) 055562

About BH Live

BH Live is the south coast’s leading operator of leisure and event venues; a social enterprise that designs and builds engaging experiences to inspire people and enrich lives.

With more than three million visits a year and over £36.5 million turnover, the organisation is changing lives – placing it at the heart of the UK’s growing social economy.

In 2015/16 BH Live hosted more than 500 events, sold over half a million cultural, sporting and entertainment tickets. They welcomed 2.6 million visits into its leisure centres and 118,000 conference and exhibition delegates into its venues. This contributed an estimated £66.3 million to the local economy through business and cultural tourism.

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About Littledown

Littledown is managed and operated by BH Live in partnership with Bournemouth Borough 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 – crowned Local Authority/Leisure Trust Gym of the Year at the 2016 National Fitness Awards and accredited by quality scheme QUEST.

The centre attracts more than 1.1 million visits each year and is home to clubs including Bournemouth Swimming Academy, Swim Bournemouth, Littledown Juniors Football Club and Play Football.

It runs nearly 300 weekly fitness classes, has one of the largest gyms in the UK with personal training, an exercise referral and children’s activity programme. The BH Live Active team also works with local health authorities, trusts, education providers and organisations to encourage greater participation in physical activity.

Indoor facilities include a 25-metre swimming pool, 17-metre teaching pool, waterslides, splash pool, steam rooms, a sauna and sanarium. There is a large sports hall for events and multi-sports including trampolining, badminton, table tennis, football and gymnastics.

The centre also has on-site catering and an Ofsted registered crèche.

Outdoor facilities include leisure attraction, ALTITUDE High Ropes Adventure at Littledown Park (2016 TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence), six floodlit 3G rubber crumb training pitches, grass football pitches, parkland for recreation and events, a cricket pitch and pavilion, lake, paddling pool, children’s playground, outdoor catering outlets, leisure orienteering course and parking.

For more visit bhliveactive.org.uk

Get social with us on Facebook and Twitter @BHLIVE_UK @bhliveactive