Free Swimming Programme

Swimming is a vital life skill which can positively support emotional, physical and mental health and enhance safety and confidence. However, many Tower Hamlets residents still face barriers to taking part, be it due to time, cost, availability or confidence in the water. Over the past two years, the local authority has been delivering the Be Well Free-Swimming Programme across four leisure centres - Mile End, Poplar Baths, Tiller Road and York Hall. The programme delivers welcoming and supportive sessions where residents can build water safety awareness, develop core swimming skills and confidence. Designed specifically for girls and women over 16 and men aged 55 and over, the programme aims to help people become active, feel safe and develop confidence, in the water.

The LBTH funded initiative is now being independently evaluated by researchers from the University of Nottingham and Loughborough University. This evaluation is funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). The aim is to understand how efficient and effective the programme is in reaching local residents and to research the impact it is having across the borough. Early feedback has been extremely positive, with strong engagement from residents and powerful stories emerging about increased confidence, improved wellbeing and new social connections being formed through the sessions.

We are now looking to speak with staff involved in delivering or supporting the Free-Swimming Programme. This will include (but is not limited to) swimming instructors, lifeguards, centre managers and community partners. Your experiences and insights will help shape the future of this initiative across Tower Hamlets. If you would like to contribute to this important work and help enhance the experiences of Tower Hamlets residents, we would love to hear from you. For more information or to get involved please contact:

Aku Makawa (A.Makawa@lboro.ac.uk) orPerfect Asamoah (Perfect.Asamoah@nottingham.ac.uk)