Everybody should have equal access to physical activity opportunities and that’s why at Active Essex, we partner with numerous groups and organisations who enable this. Thurrock Swimming Club, with support from the Find Your Active Fund, provide a fully inclusive programme that helps to develop residents’ swimming skills and confidence in their teaching pool at Black Shots Leisure Centre.
Thurrock Swimming Club is the only competitive club in the area with over 400 members, from complete beginners right up to National Level, providing pathways for competitive and non-competitive swimmers. The club serves the entire community in Thurrock and pride themselves on an open-door policy to ensure opportunities are available to swimmers from all backgrounds.
The club has played a crucial role in reaching different communities in Thurrock. 35% of participants are from ethnic diverse communities and 8% of these members have learning difficulties or are young carers. The club works closely with the Council, social services, and primary schools with the aim to be a hub for children and young adults who need support both in and out of the pool.
Due to the pandemic, the pool was closed for 18 months and as a result, this increased inactivity, poor health and mental stress for the swimmers and their families. With the new programme, not only have the regular swimmers returned, Thurrock Swimming Club have also been able to recruit 110 new swimmers, which has helped participants physical and mental wellbeing.
The club offers a joint approach to helping the community through provision of teaching and coaching swimmers, bringing families together, supporting the community, offering employment opportunities, and providing swimmers with live saving skills, confidence, and improved wellbeing. The project will further support the community and provide all ages the opportunity to learn, enjoy and be an active member of Thurrock.
Corrine Williams, Club Secretary said: “Active Essex has helped the club rebuild following the pandemic, which has made a huge difference to many within Thurrock, particularly children. We have been able to open up the teaching facility to help the swimmers learn how to swim and develop their swimming, cognitive and physical skills”.
In addition to teaching and coaching swimmers at the club, the club also aims to build a large volunteer base and to provide teaching and coaching experience and courses for their members. Together they are working hard to children off the streets and offer them further opportunities.
Paul Hayes, Director and Assistant Head Coach said: “Clubs have suffered so much during the pandemic and we have lost so much income. The grant was a life saver as it helped us provide swimming lessons to younger swimmers. Without the grant, there was a high possibility we would not have been able to open up the teaching pool”.
After the success of reopening the teaching pool, the club aim to continue to grow their club and continue to provide support and opportunities to their community to get active and live well.
To find out more about Thurrock Swimming Club, click here.
