Published on:
04
November 2021
Local youngsters have been able to build confidence in the water, thanks to a Council initiative based at Alloa Academy’s hydrotherapy pool.
A partnership between Sports Development, Additional Support Needs and Inclusion Services has been able to offer water confidence sessions to pupils.
Sessions focus on relaxation and children receive personalised programmes based on their needs, including introductory activities to help them feel comfortable in their new surroundings. Confidence building follows as they move on to floating and moving round the pool.
After recruiting a new swimming teacher and lifeguards to deliver the sessions, pupils have been able to access the pool on Mondays and Tuesdays and during the October school holidays. To date, 15 pupils from local schools have taken part in this specialist provision and the benefit to the children and their families has been invaluable.
Council spokesperson for Education, Councillor Graham Lindsay, said:
“I’m delighted that we are able to offer children and young people with additional support needs the chance to grow in confidence through swimming. Not only is a swimming an important life skill, it can offer a chance to relax and focus on themselves. The programme is continuing to grow and evolve with plans in place to increase the number of sessions available and to deliver the content of beginners swimming lessons. I’m grateful to all involved in making this a reality.”
Aileen Schofield, Senior Health Promotion Officer, NHS Forth Valley said:
“The programme is very powerful and you sense the difference having access to a swimming pool is having to the young people and their families. Access to the pool is enabling improved self confidence and self esteem, physical and mental health benefits which will result in more young people being more independent and enjoying a quality of life.”
Staff have also increased their knowledge by attending the Scottish Swimming Teachers Association Disability awareness course to make sure that children and their families get the most out of the sessions.
Please contact sportsdevlopment@clacks.gov.uk for more information or to join the waiting list for these sessions. We are also keen to hear from qualified swimming teachers to help us grow the programme. If that sounds like you, contact sportsdevlopment@clacks.gov.uk.