Swimming pool fun is also medical aid

YOUNGSTERS with medical conditions from across Forres have been making a big splash thanks to a new partnership.

The charity Friendly Access has teamed up with Active Schools Moray to offer swimming and surfing lessons to children who have medical conditions that make it difficult for them to be involved in mainstream sports sessions.

The first block of lessons, led by Kev Anderson at Forres Swimming Pool, saw eight children use equipment such as oatation aids, ippers, fins, masks, toys and hoops to gain new skills in the water and build up overall confidence.

Each youngster has been diagnosed, or is awaiting diagnosis, for various medical conditions that make it difficult for them to be involved in mainstream sports sessions.

Surf boards were also used so children can work on their balance and coordination.

Active Schools coordinator Rosalyn Carruthers said:

"These sessions provide a unique opportunity for children to be active, gain essential skills and, in some cases, overcome a fear of the water.

"Our volunteers, under Kev’s capable lead, and the environment created in these sessions, bring out the absolute best in the children. Each week there has been progress that has extended into the classroom and their homes."

Mr Anderson said the aim was to provide a little extra help to enable children to take part, achieve and have fun.

He said: "I’m incredibly proud of the improvement the kids have made in such a short space of time. Every child has made progress while getting exercise and having fun."

Chief executive of Friendly Access, Glyn Morris, said: "Taking part in sporting activity is generally thought ‘out of reach’ by many. It’s therefore very easy to understand the positive impact this is having for individuals with disabilities and medical conditions.

"At Friendly Access, we consider the environment is the disabling factor, not the person. We look towards how we as society can adapt to support accessibility."