Having been open since 2017, our hydrotherapy pool is badly in need of repairs and updating and is at risk of closure if we are not able to raise the funds to carry out critical repairs!

Despite the desperate need for the refurbishment our pool remains incredibly busy due to the lack of alternative facilities locally. On average, 94 people use the hydrotherapy pool each week, including disabled and/or neurodiverse children and adults, adults with profound and multiple learning disabilities, and older people. Some use it for physiotherapy to increase muscle strength, mobility, and pain management and swelling. For others, it offers a complete sensory experience where they can relax and enjoy freedom of movement in a way that is simply not possible for them outside the water due to their impaired mobility.

Public pools can be overwhelming for many neurodiverse children and adults due to the large crowds, pool temperature, echoing sounds, and expectations around behaviour. Our hydrotherapy pool offers an environment where all can thrive and grow in water confidence. Here, they can feel safe and free to be themselves– just learning to float can be lifesaving!

To keep the hydrotherapy pool open, we need to replace essential equipment needed for its operation and update the worn-out fittings and fixtures in the changing rooms and showers. Funding will enable us to replace our roof to keep this purpose-built area watertight and help cover the replacement of the clapped-out AHU unit, and fresh air intake fan. We further want to redesign the space to make it even more open and accessible, replacing our tired ceiling track hoist, updating our manual adult-sized changing bed to a hydraulic one , replacing rusty shower fixtures and fittings with higher-quality alternatives and damaged changing room panels with safe, easy clean alternatives. We would also love to enhance the sensory experience for our pool users with the introduction of new sensory lighting.

Please help us keep this much needed facility open for those who benefit so much from visiting our Hydropool and have no other options locally.