FREE WATER safety lessons for Solihull children have been launched.
North Solihull Sports Centre, run by Everyone Active in partnership with Solihull Council, is running the initiative to improve confidence and life-saving skills in the water.
The joint scheme, which is being delivered and funded in partnership with David Lloyd Leisure, is offering two blocks of 12-week courses, with each block catering for up to 32 young people aged six to 11 years.
The 30-minute weekly lessons held on Tuesdays between 4pm and 6pm primarily focus on equipping children with vital skills needed to self-save and stay safe in and around water.
Other individual skills being taught include floating, treading water, sculling to improve buoyancy and safely entering and exiting the water.
The initiative – which has already seen 28 children sign up – is the first collaboration between the two health and fitness groups of this kind, and forms part of a wider commitment by the leisure operators to make swimming and water safety opportunities more accessible for communities that need them most.
Emma Marshall, contract activity and wellbeing manager at Everyone Active, said: “Water safety is an essential life skill and it’s our mission to make sure everyone has an opportunity to engage in the health and wellbeing services we provide, no matter their background or circumstances.
“We’re proud to be able to offer these sessions free of charge to families who may otherwise be unable to access them. This unique partnership with David Lloyd Leisure ensures every child has the chance to stay safe around water and build their confidence.
“Lessons are delivered by qualified swimming instructors in a safe, supportive environment at our facilities, and we invite parents who are thinking of enrolling their children onto our lessons to contact us to find out more if they are interested.”
The next block starts on Tuesday, September 23.
Anyone interested should contact the leisure centre directly, or submit an enquiry through North Solihull Sports Centre’s website.
