An Edinburgh swimming programme which has boosted the number of children able to swim has won recognition for its success working with diverse communities.
Swimming Top Up, which is delivered by Edinburgh Leisure in partnership with City of Edinburgh Council, has been Highly Commended by the Children & Families Achievement Awards.
The Swimming Top Up programme, supported by Scottish Swimming, aims to increase the number of children who can swim by providing high quality coaching targeting youngsters who may not have otherwise had the opportunity.
Scottish Government funding has enabled teacher/pupil ratios to be reduced, helping a further 500 children learn this vital life skill.
The programme runs across Scotland’s local authorities to support Scottish Swimming’s aim to see all children able to swim by the time they leave primary school.
Award success is not new to the Edinburgh programme, which won the Scottish Swimming National Top Up Award in 2012.
Edinburgh Leisure research shows that children from lower income families are far less likely to participate in swimming and other coached activities.
Debra Taylor, Swimming Education Co-ordinator at Edinburgh Leisure, said: “We are delighted that this excellent partnership with City of Edinburgh Council has been recognised again.
“Swimming is more than just sport; it is an essential life skill that keeps us safe, as well as providing countless opportunities for fun, fitness and friendship throughout our lifetime.
“Reducing teacher/pupil ratios allows more individual attention and encouragement to be given, which can have a profound impact on the rate at which children progress.
“It is fantastic to see how team Top Up is taking us closer to the goal of enabling as many children as possible to learn how to swim by the end of their primary school years.”
John graduated from Telford College in 2010 with an HNC in Practical Journalism and since then he worked for the North Edinburgh News, The Southern Reporter, the Irish News Review and The Edinburgh Reporter. In addition he has been published in the Edinburgh Evening News and the Hibernian FC Programme.
