Women who need a female only space to learn how to swim
What's it's purpose:
The group has been set up by local women in response to the need for a secure female only space to learn how to swim. Community activists have researched services, learnt how to present with confidence and how to lobbying for female only swimming with key stakeholders. We have now set up as a self sustaining group and plan to offer weekly female only swimming sessions, intensive swimming lessons during school holidays and support to encourage BAME women to train towards being lifeguards.
The group have built on a pilot that was supported by the WEA to tacke race inequlaity and break down barriers to services. That funding has now ended but we wanted to carry on so set up our own group run by volunteers with support from St Mary Redcliffe Secondary School (SMRT).
Top Tip details:
The committe needs to be set up and we have two people for each key role - chair, treasurer and secretary - so this way we can support each other.
Knowing the key stakeholders is key to making something happen - we were supported by the WEA to talk to the council's swimming officer and manager of Easton Lesuire Centre - as well as the head of SMRT - so our voices were heard by people who can make a difference.
