As a not-for-profit community sports club, we have offered affordable swimming lessons, competitive swimming, and water polo to city residents for 130 years. Generations of families have learned to swim or competed in aquatic sports through our club. We stand as one of the city's primary providers of cost-effective swim lessons. However, the energy crisis has led to a significant increase in pool hire costs. In response, we are actively seeking funding to help us navigate these financially difficult times. Our goal is to continue offering affordable access to swimming lessons and aquatic sports. Currently, the club is a pillar for the physical and mental well-being of over 650 active young people and adults. Additionally, our club is a hub for numerous adult volunteers, providing them with opportunities to engage with the community, forge new relationships, and find a sense of purpose and fulfilment.

What we'll deliver:

• Aim for a maximum fee increase of 5% in 2024
• Establish a hardship fund for financially disadvantaged families
• Fund coaching courses for 4 swimming and waterpolo coaches to meet Swim England requirements
• Provide club teachers and coaches with new kit.

Why it's a great idea:

The swim and water polo club, a cornerstone of the community for many years, the project aims to: - Continue offering affordable lessons and aquatic sports, making these services accessible to a broader segment of the community along with their numerous benefits. - Support the physical and mental well-being of over 650 young people and adults. - Foster resilience, focus, and discipline in young people through the demanding training that aquatic sports entail. - Offer young people the chance to forge meaningful, face-to-face connections and relationships, filling a gap left by the pandemic. - Create valuable volunteering opportunities for adults. - Sustain the City Baths, a cherished Victorian Grade II listed building and the club's home pool, which is a significant community asset and an essential part of the city's leisure infrastructure. - Enhance the skills of our coaching team enabling them to elevate the level of coaching they deliver.

Steps to get it done:

• - Keep fees low for all families
• - Set up a hardship fund for financially disadvantaged families to help with cost of kit and entry fees
• - Train four coaches to L2 standard in swimming and water polo
• - Purchase new kit for club teachers and coaches

The club stands as one of the city's primary providers of swimming lessons. As a not-for-profit community sports club, we have been able to offer lessons at a more affordable rate compared to many private providers. This has allowed us to serve a portion of the community that may not otherwise have the opportunity to learn this essential life skill. The club is dedicated to maintaining affordability and accessibility of lessons for everyone, which is why we consider this project crucial. For those involved in competitive swimming and water polo, the absence of our club would mean the nearest alternatives offering comparable training would require at least a 20-mile round trip several times a week. Consequently, athletes without the means or time to commit to such travel would miss out on the chance to participate in these sports, along with the associated benefits and opportunities.