Woking joins Everyday Swim Pilot

Woking is the latest area to join the ASA's groundbreaking Everyday Swim initiative

Everyday Swim is a pioneering national programme, led by the ASA and funded by Sport England, which aims to address the barriers to swimming and provide best practice examples to affect a culture change across the country and get more people into our pools, for leisure, fitness and fun.

Woking has been chosen as the South East pilot and is focused on working with other pool providers, schools and swimming clubs to open up access to other water space for local residents, as well as building on the activities available at the central 'Pool in the Park' facility.

Woking becomes the eighth Everyday Swim pilot and joins projects in Easington (North East), Islington (London), Kirklees (Yorkshire and the
Humber), Lewisham (London), Suffolk (East), Telford and Wrekin (West Midlands) and the Wirral (North West). All areas are currently recruiting
project coordinators to drive Everyday Swim locally and project development will be starting over the summer.

ASA Swimming Activity Manager Kate Sargant is delighted to welcome Woking onto the scheme.

"Woking Borough Council and its partners have demonstrated real commitment to Everyday Swim," she said. "Access to water time is an issue facing facilities across the country and the Woking pilot will provide us with best practice examples to roll out across England. I'd like to welcome them onto the national programme and look forward to working with them."

Lisa O'Keefe, Interim Director of Sport England South East, said:

"We're delighted that Woking has been chosen to take part in the ASA's Everyday Swim initiative that we are funding. Swimming is such a great
activity for people of all ages and we look forward to seeing how the scheme helps to improve access to the sport and encourages people of all
backgrounds to get involved."

Sue Barham, Woking Borough Council's Head of Community Services, said:

"We are delighted to be working with the ASA and a range of local partners to encourage even more people to enjoy the benefits of swimming. Health and well-being is one of the Council's top three priorities and we provide an excellent swimming pool complex in the heart of the Borough for residents and visitors to use. Swimming-related sessions can be fun for people of all ages and are a great way for people to work towards being active for the recommended five times per week."

Everyday Swim will be officially launched at an event at Sheffield's Ponds Forge on 18 July.

For more information visit the Everyday Swim website.

eNews issue 54