Young people aged from 14 – 16 years old missed swimming lessons in Congleton due to the Covid lockdown and the closure of the swimming baths. A recent spate of accidents in open water and at the seaside focused on several of the victims being in this age group.
Rotary-Congleton president Simon Fallis approached youth groups and senior schools. MP, Sarah Russell endorsed the project and mentioned it in Parliament. An approach to Congleton Leisure Centre resulted in an offer of a week-long course of swimming lessons for this age group. The Fire Brigade attended the course with advice on cold-water shock and surviving accidents in the water. At the end of the week, Rtn. Fallis awarded each swimmer a completion certificate and New Life Church presented each one with a tote bag, filled with a towel and useful swimming accessories.
During the course, one young participant, Grace, went from a standing, non-swimming start to swimming 3 lengths in just 5 one-hour lessons. The Fire Brigade attended during the week with their class on water safety. Another swimmer, Skye said this was very useful. All participants praised the course and said how good it was.
Rotary president, Simon Fallis, thanked Sam Pickford, senior swim lead, manager Neil Ruff and the swimming instructors for their enthusiasm and help in running the course.
He praised the youngsters who took part and stuck to the course, despite their apprehension at the start.
Rtn. Fallis said ‘ Now these young people won’t be the ones sitting at the edge looking at others having fun in the water. The serious aspect for this cohort at least is that they now have a strong awareness of water safety, reducing their exposure to the spate of tragic accidents that have taken place recently in our rivers, lakes and reservoirs as well as around the coast. The course is a lifetime investment in their water safety. The course was great fun and achieved so much in just 5 one-hour sessions, due to the skill and patience of the instructors.’The Rotary Club of Congleton will be exploring ways with its partners to repeat the course in future.
Sarah Russell MP said ‘
The Rotary Club and Everybody Health & Leisure share a commitment to improving health, wellbeing and opportunities for local communities, and both organisations are excited to see the positive impact the programme will have on participating young people this summer’.
