Providing a supportive and accessible environment to keep everyone active.
Lichfield Leisure Centre has achieved Swim England’s Water Wellbeing Accreditation in recognition of its work to make swimming more accessible and welcoming for people with long term health conditions and disabilities.
The accreditation recognises leisure facilities that are working to make it easier for people to take part in swimming and water-based activity, including those who may face barriers to being physically active.
At Lichfield Leisure Centre, this work includes Dementia Friendly Swimming sessions, which offer a supportive environment for people living with dementia and their carers and families.
Swimming teachers have received extensive training to help them support people living with long term health conditions. Training has also been provided to the wider leisure centre team, helping staff better understand disabilities and long-term health conditions and how they can support customers using the centre.
The accreditation reflects the centre’s wider approach to making sure people feel comfortable and confident when they come to swim. For people living with certain health conditions or disabilities, being in the water can provide a way to stay active that may be easier on the body, whilst also supporting wellbeing and rehabilitation.
Councillor Andrew Smith, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Leisure and Major Projects at Lichfield District Council, has expressed his desire for Lichfield Leisure Centre to have a welcoming atmosphere, where residents feel comfortable taking part in activities whatever their circumstances.
The Water Wellbeing Accreditation recognises the work the team has been doing to make swimming more accessible and to give people the support they need to feel confident using the centre, the Dementia Friendly Swimming sessions are a good example of this.
Ben Moore, from Swim England described how much the company has enjoyed supporting the team at Lichfield Leisure Centre to qualify for this accreditation.
There has been a clear commitment to ensuring that the facility is as accessible, welcoming and inclusive as possible, and we look forward to continuing to work with the team, to maximise the impact that improved access to pools can have on the health and wellbeing of local residents.
The accreditation builds on the work already taking place at Lichfield Leisure Centre and the team will continue to look at ways to make swimming and other activities more accessible.
Residents who may have previously found it difficult to access swimming are encouraged to speak to the leisure centre team about the support available.
