Joined by members of Uttlesford District Council, 1Life staff, local Paralympian George Peasgood and Sport for Confidence participant, Ben, Sport for Confidence has officially helped launch a new pool lift, known as a ‘Poolpod’, at Lord Butler Leisure Centre in Saffron Walden.
The installation will give people who face physical, sensory or cognitive barriers the opportunity to access the pool easily, safely and with dignity, enabling more individuals to enjoy the therapeutic and social benefits of swimming.
Sarah Wright, Sport for Confidence Senior Occupational Therapist based at the centre, says: “In addition to the well-known physical benefits of swimming, being in water provides a range of therapeutic advantages, making it an ideal activity for many people with physical, sensory or cognitive difficulties. Alongside my Occupational Therapist colleague, Elizabeth Ritson from Adult Social Care, and managers at 1life, we have been campaigning for a pool pod at this centre since the start of the last year. Uttlesford District Council listened, and their investment will help widen participation opportunities for many more people.”
Ben, who has received support from Sport for Confidence to access wider leisure centre opportunities and has already used the Poolpod to swim, adds: “Being active is extremely important for my health and this includes having the ability to swim. It’s been 40 years since I could get into the leisure centre pool so I am really glad to be able to do that again. I am sure that many other local people will similarly benefit from this fantastic new facility to enable them to access the water.”
Sport for Confidence launched at Lord Butler Leisure Centre in early 2025. Since then, working closely with the team at 1Life, the organisation has been delivering occupational therapy led weekly physical activity opportunities to provide meaningful, health-enhancing experiences for all participants. This expansion is part of the countywide Reconnect delivery model, supported by Essex County Council & Active Essex.
Beckie Reynolds, Uttlesford Contract Manager for 1Life, adds: “Our ambition is to provide a leisure environment that welcomes everyone and supports healthy, active lives. The new pool pod, combined with our Changing Places approved facility creates new opportunities for people who previously may not have been able to enjoy the water.
“It remains a sad fact that people with disabilities are significantly less likely to be active than the rest of the population. By designing accessible spaces and partnering with specialist organisations like Sport for Confidence, we can help close that gap. This pool pod is a fantastic step forward, and we’re excited to welcome many more people into the water over the coming months.”
For more information about our services at the Lord Butler Leisure Centre, Saffron Walden, please email info@sportforconfidence.com
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