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Level Water Expands Life-Changing Disability Swimming Lessons Across Devon
D
artmouth Indoor Pool Trust which owns the local community pool in Townstal has been working with the national disability
swimming charity Level Water to expand its life-changing one-to-one swimming lessons for children with disabilities across Devon. Gordon Coutts, trustee of DIPT, was pleased to announce the programme started in Dartmouth in the autumn of last year with new programmes in Totnes and Ivybridge set to follow in the coming months, placing local teachers and community partnerships at the heart of the charity’s growth. A key driver of the Dartmouth programme is local
swim teacher Alastair Mullen, whose dedication to one-to-one teaching is already transforming young lives in the water. Level Water credits the success of the expansion to the commitment of teachers like Alastair, whose calm, engaging and confi- dence-building approach allows each child to progress at their own pace. The charity has also
“Alastair’s calm, kind and clear teaching has helped her confidence and ability grow enormously.”
expressed its gratitude to Fusion Lifestyle, leisure
operator for Dartmouth, Totnes and Ivybridge, whose partnership has enabled the delivery and planned expansion of disability swimming lessons across South Devon. Dartmouth is a sentinel site for Level Water within
the South Hams, with the pool owned by the local community – a factor that strongly reflects the charity’s ethos of embedding programmes within the plac- es they serve. The forthcoming Totnes programme, also located on the River Dart, already has pool time booked and a second teacher currently in training, with plans to expand further as capacity grows. Alongside this expansion, Level Water continues
to support dozens of children across Devon through established partnerships with Aveton Gifford Community Pool, Riverside Leisure Centre, Plymouth Life Centre, SMART Swim Centre and Swim Devon. These collaborations ensure that marginalised children can enjoy safe, supportive and joyful time in the water while learning a vital life skill. Ian Thwaites, CEO of Level Water, said:
“Devon has been an incredible home for our
fundraising swims, including events such as the Dart 10K and Bantham Swoosh. Being able to give back by supporting children with disabilities in the same communities that support us means a huge amount to our team.” David, whose daughter takes part in the lessons,
added: “Our youngest daughter, who has various neu- rological challenges, loves being in and around water. Alastair’s calm, kind and clear teaching has helped her confidence and ability grow enormously.” For more information, contact Lucy Powell at
lucy@levelwater.org.
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