Project: Free Junior Swimming for All
Grant: £4,000
Area of benefit: Bridport
The project received grant funding to target 2000 funded junior swims following a significant decline in the number of children/families accessing the swimming pool in Bridport after returning from Covid lockdowns plus the strain on family budgets with the increase in cost of living.
The grant enabled the leisure centre to offer free swimming to all Dorset residents aged 4 to 16 years. This project was extremely popular and was well received by all. The leisure centre is fully accessible for all, including changing facilities and access to the swimming pool.
The centre monitored uptake weekly. We were hoping that the project grant would last for 12 months, but due to excess demand, the grant was used within 8 months.
2474 people took advantage of this offer, 10% of whom were visitors to the town.
Verbal gratitude was received from a number of families who would not have been able to access the facility otherwise.