Freedom Leisure is proud to announce that it has been named ‘Pioneering Pool Operator of the Year’ at the prestigious Swim England Awards recognising its exceptional commitment to community wellbeing, water-safety innovation and widening access to aquatic activity.
The award celebrates the organisation’s forward-thinking approach to delivering impactful community programmes with particular recognition given to the hugely successful Ashford Free Learn to Swim Project.
The Ashford Free Learn to Swim Project has provided local school children from deprived areas in Ashford with fully funded swimming lessons, removing financial barriers and giving young people the essential life skill of swimming. The programme has become a model of community partnership, bringing together local authorities, schools and Freedom Leisure teams to ensure that every child is safe, confident and active in the water.
We are thrilled to receive this award from Swim England. The Ashford Free Learn to Swim Project demonstrates what can be achieved when we put community needs at the heart of our work. This recognition belongs to our dedicated teams, partners and the communities we proudly serve.
Hannah Smith
In addition to their lessons, participants were provided with free swimming costumes, towels, swim bags and goggles, as well as unlimited access to public swimming in Ashford. This ensured they could practise their skills and grow in confidence week after week.
These children wouldn’t have had the chance to learn this essential life skill. The difference in their confidence, not just in swimming, but in school has been noticeable.
Headteacher
Winning the Pioneering Pool Operator of the Year Award reflects Freedom Leisure’s leadership in designing and delivering programmes that go beyond traditional swimming provision.
Freedom Leisure remains committed to expanding access to swimming, championing water safety and supporting physical and mental wellbeing across the regions it serves with over 70,000 young people taking part in swimming lessons every week. The organisation will continue developing innovative programmes that ensure everyone, regardless of background, has the opportunity to enjoy the life-changing benefits of swimming.