𝐍𝐁 𝐖𝐞 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐨𝐧𝐥𝐲 𝐨𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐫 𝐬𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐫𝐞𝐧 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐚𝐝𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐬𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐝𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐬𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐥𝐬 (𝐨𝐫 𝐛𝐞𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐡𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐬𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐥𝐞𝐝) 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐫𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐋𝐨𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐡 𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐬 𝐝𝐮𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐟𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐜𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐬. 𝐈𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐰𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐨𝐫 𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚 𝐬𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐞, 𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐜𝐭 𝐑𝐨𝐬𝐚𝐥𝐲𝐧 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐬 (𝐀𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐥𝐬 𝐂𝐨𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐫 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐫𝐞𝐬 𝐀𝐒𝐆) 𝐑𝐨𝐬𝐚𝐥𝐲𝐧.𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐬@𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐲.𝐠𝐨𝐯.𝐮𝐤 𝐨𝐫 𝐅𝐫𝐚𝐬𝐞𝐫 𝐋𝐲𝐚𝐥𝐥 (𝐀𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐥𝐬 𝐂𝐨𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐫 𝐋𝐨𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐡 𝐀𝐒𝐆) 𝐅𝐫𝐚𝐬𝐞𝐫.𝐋𝐲𝐚𝐥𝐥@𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐲.𝐠𝐨𝐯.𝐮𝐤

SwimABLE Scotland is a project delivered in partnership with Active Schools Moray (Forres & Lossiemouth ASG).

Offering both swimming and surfboard skill sessions in the pool (free of cost), we deliver a balance between individualised and group integration learning. It is evident that the adaptability, patience, and person-centred approach embedded within our program are all key factors contributing to the meaningful progress of our young learners.

Our observations from the varying progression rates and the challenge of short to medium-term assessments highlight the value and importance of teaching diverse learner groups. The emphasis on long-term development and maintaining consistency in teaching and session formats continue to be a successful strategy in fostering significant growth over time.

To see the transformation of our young learners from initial apprehension towards water, i.e., unable to place their face in the water or swim without aids, to developing a genuine interest in swimming as a skill and sport, illustrates the profound impact of these sessions. This evolution not only marks their physical skill development but also signifies a boost in their confidence and independence. Our initiative not only teaches swimming, but it also imparts life lessons in resilience, adaptability, and perseverance. In prioritising the individual needs and pace of learning for each child, it’s heartening to witness the positive impact created by a nurturing environment that celebrates every small victory and milestone in their journey towards becoming independent swimmers.

From everyone at SwimABLE Scotland, a project delivered by Friendly Access (SC045029), we extend our deepest thanks to the Newbold Legacy Trust for their continued funding and support. This vital commitment has been crucial in delivering our programme in the Forres area, where we provide structured swimming sessions for children with additional support needs, in collaboration with Active Schools Moray (Forres Associated School Group).

Thanks to this support, we can continue our personalised, person-centred approach, leading to significant progress among our young participants, and delivered free of cost. The transformations we’ve seen – from initial apprehension to newfound confidence and independence in the water – are a testament to the programme’s impact.
We are incredibly proud of the journey our learners are on and deeply grateful to the Newbold Legacy Trust for making it all possible!