Mytime Active launches Aqua Active – offering free access to its swimming pools for people with complex needs and disabilities

Charitable trust and local leisure provider Mytime Active has launched a new swimming programme called Aqua Active, offering free access for people with complex needs and disabilities to its pools at the Pavilion Leisure Centre in Bromley and Biggin Hill Pool and Library.

The programme follows the recent opening of fully accessible Changing Places Toilets at both venues and the purchase of Aquatilt wheelchairs, which help people with complex needs to enter both pools safely by offering stability and providing adjustable head support. The Aquatilt pool wheelchairs are suitable for anyone aged seven and over.

The programme is funded by a grant from the London Marathon Foundation, which paid for the Aquatilt chairs and a range of specialist equipment at the pools to enhance the Aqua Active experience, including Konfidence buoyancy jackets and Hydrobelt Handling Belts for safe floatation. Both pools now have a Floatsation Big Citrus, which is a large rectangular float, neoprene neck collars – designed to keep the head above the water, and Chailey Buoyancy Aids, which support the head and stabilise the whole upper body.

The grant also supports the free access to Mytime Active’s pools for people with complex needs and disabilities. The funding will allow up to four free Aqua Active sessions per person at either the Pavilion or Biggin Hill during any scheduled general swim sessions. Carers can also access the pool for free.

Louise Hills is the Sports and Events Manager for Mytime Active, the charity that manages leisure provision on behalf of Bromley Council, reinvesting any profits back into the wellbeing of the local community. She says: “Everyone should have the opportunity to enjoy the benefits of being in the water. Water-based activity can help to strengthen muscles, improve mental health and offers a greater sense of independence and confidence. This funding from the London Marathon Foundation enables us to ensure our swimming pools are accessible and inclusive for everyone in our communities. We have also worked in partnership with Need2change, a community group of parent carers, to best understand how our programme can help make this happen.”

Users can sign up for the free Aqua Active sessions on the Mytime Active website: https://www.mytimeactive.co.uk/aqua-active or by calling into the Pavilion Leisure Centre or Biggin Hill Pool & Library.