LoveSwimming campaign highlights Wiltshire pools as welcoming places for everyone

The campaign celebrates swimming pools as welcoming community spaces where people of all ages, abilities and backgrounds can build confidence, improve their health and spend quality time together.

New research from Swim England shows that more than eight in 10 parents say swimming with their children makes them feel closer as a family, while seven in 10 parents rank swimming lessons among their top family bonding activities.

Wiltshire Council operates 16 swimming pools across the county, offering lessons and activities for people at every stage of their swimming journey, from parent and child sessions and beginner lessons through to advanced swimming programmes, family swims and Rookie Lifeguard awards that help young people develop confidence and water safety skills.

The campaign highlights the stories of people who have overcome challenges to develop their confidence in the water. One of those is Arthur, a five-year-old with an upper limb difference who developed confidence and a love of swimming through one-to-one lessons after initially worrying he would sink. His experience reflects the campaign's message that swimming should be accessible to everyone, regardless of age, ability or experience.

Wiltshire Council also offers one-to-one lessons and dedicated provision for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), helping more residents enjoy the benefits of swimming in a supportive environment.

Swimming is not only an important life skill but also one of the most accessible forms of exercise. Regular swimming can improve physical and mental wellbeing, reduce the risk of long-term health conditions and help people stay safe around water.

David Redfern, Director of Leisure, Culture and Communities, said: "Swimming is one of the most important life skills a person can learn, but it also offers so much more than that. It improves health and wellbeing, builds confidence and provides opportunities for people of all ages to stay active and connected with their communities.

"Our leisure centres are welcoming places where families can spend time together, children can develop essential water safety skills and people of all abilities can enjoy the benefits of being active in the water.

"Whether you're introducing your child to the pool for the first time, returning to swimming after many years, improving your fitness or looking to build confidence in the water, there is something for everyone. We're proud to support the #LoveSwimming campaign and encourage more residents to discover everything swimming has to offer."

Jenny McAneny-Vincent, Swim England's Head of Aquatics Competency, said: "Swimming pools are so much more than places to swim. They are community hubs where people of all ages, abilities and backgrounds can come together, connect and enjoy being active.

"We know that for some people, getting into the water can feel like a big step. Whether it's a lack of confidence, a disability or health condition, or simply not knowing where to start, everyone's journey is different.

"Across the country, pools offer welcoming environments, supportive sessions and opportunities for people to enjoy the water in a way that works for them. That's why there's never been a better time to give swimming a go.

"Learning to swim isn't a race. It's a personal journey that can begin at any age, so why not take that first step and discover everything swimming has to offer?"

Research from Swim England also found that more than half of parents say watching their child learn inspired them to learn to swim themselves, while seven in 10 adults who learned later in life describe it as one of their proudest achievements.

Autumn is an ideal time for people to start swimming lessons, with many pools typically seeing quieter sessions outside of the summer months, providing more opportunities for beginners to build confidence in the water in a welcoming and supportive environment.

Residents can find out more about swimming lessons, family swims, SEND swimming opportunities, Rookie Lifeguard awards and other swimming activities at Wiltshire Council leisure centres by visiting www.wiltshire.gov.uk/leisure-swimming.