Disability swimming lessons will help change lives across Devon

National disability swimming charity Level Water, working with a local charity Dartmouth Indoor Pool Trust, is expanding its work across Devon, bringing life-changing one-to-one swimming lessons to more children with disabilities throughout the region.

A key driver of this growth is the commitment of local swim teacher Alastair Mullen, who is delivering one-to-one lessons in Dartmouth. His passion for supporting children in the water - and watching them grow in confidence each week - is second to none. Level Water emphasised that the charity “couldn’t do this without people like Alastair.”

Level Water also expressed its gratitude to Fusion Lifestyle, the leisure operator for Dartmouth, Totnes and Ivybridge, whose partnership has made it possible to introduce and expand these programmes across South Devon.

Level Water has recently begun lessons in Dartmouth, and has plans to launch new programmes in Totnes and Ivybridge in the coming months - widening access to tailored, confidence-building swimming lessons for children with disabilities. This expansion reflects Level Water’s commitment to reaching as many children across Devon as possible.

As part of its wider support in the county, Level Water is also proud to continue supporting dozens of children across our existing partnerships with the Aveton Gifford Community Pool, Community Support Team @ Riverside Leisure Centre, Plymouth Life Centre operated by Plymouth Active, SMART Swim Centre and Swim Devon. Our work in partnership with local providers ensures marginalised children can enjoy safe, supportive and joyful time in the water, and learn a life-saving skill that can improve their quality of life for many years to come.

Ian Thwaites, CEO of Level Water, said: “We’re absolutely delighted to be growing our work in Devon. This county has been an incredible home to our fundraising swims - events that quite literally make thousands of one-to-one swimming lessons possible across Devon and the UK each year. Being able to give back by supporting children with disabilities in the same communities that support us means a huge amount to our whole team. Our goal is simple: reach as many children across Devon as we can, giving every child equal access to the confidence, joy and freedom that comes from learning to swim.”

David, father of one of the students, said: "Our youngest daughter, who has various neurological battles to overcome, loves nothing more than being in and around water. Alastair at Level Water has been incredible with her as he is kind and calm and gives simple and clear instructions.  Alistair makes sure that every lesson is engaging and different and it is clear how much more she engages with learning under his tuition. As a result, her confidence and ability has grown.”

For more details, please contact Lucy Powell lucy@levelwater.org