LICHFIELD Leisure Centre has been recognised for efforts to make swimming more accessible and welcoming for people with long-term health conditions and disabilities.
The facility, at Stychbrook Park, achieved Swim England’s Water Wellbeing Accreditation.
The accolade 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, while teachers have also received training to help them support people living with long-term health conditions.
Cllr Andrew Smith, deputy leader and cabinet member for leisure and major projects at Lichfield District Council, said:
"We want Lichfield Leisure Centre to be a place where residents feel welcome and able to take part, 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, alongside the training our swimming teachers and wider leisure centre team have received.
"We’re really pleased to see this work recognised by Swim England and hope it will help more people discover the benefits that swimming and being active in the water can offer."
Ben Moore, from Swim England, said:
"We have 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."
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