Dear ...,
As a long time disability rights campaigner, (and person
with Cerebral Palsy), it seems to me that the ‘Connections’ day centre pool is
essential for the people who use it.
As you may be already aware, hydrotherapy is very important
for people with a wide range of disabilities, as well as those battling mental
health issues.
It helps to build confidence (in a relaxed and informal way)
for those with learning difficulties and (as I said), mental illness.
It allows people to socialise and make friends, as well as
teaching them other valuable skills.
A service like this, in a local (and familiar) environment, can be something of a lifeline for those who find interaction difficult, and who (as a result), may spend a lot of time isolated.
It is equally essential for those with physical
disabilities. I have benefited from hydrotherapy myself in the past, finding
that the warm water loosened my muscles, making it much easier to move, and
therefore build up strength in my legs. It became a vital part of my weekly physiotherapy
sessions.
It allowed me (at least while I was in the water), to be
virtually free of pain. The weightless
feeling, gave me a sense of freedom, which otherwise, I would not have had.
I found that I looked forward to my time in the pool, as it
allowed me to relax and be with my friends, while at the same time, building
strength and confidence.
I realise that (in these difficult economic times) we need
to find a way of making the pool financially viable, in order to keep it open.
We need to give something back to the parties involved in order that they
maintain their involvement.
It seems to me that the key could be in forming some sort of
partnership between Bath and North East Somerset Council, Sirona Health,
Connections, Writhlington School, and of course the community as a whole.
Firstly, Writhlington School has the sports centre, which could
benefit the pool by sharing clients between the two places. It is possible that
they could charge a little extra for use of the pool, and in turn, pool users
could use the gym and other facilities that the school offers.
It is also possible that the pool could be opened to the
community as a whole, for things like swimming lessons, or even hired out for
parties.
Any investment that BANES, Sirona, (possibly Writhlington
School) and Connections put in would be paid back over time, and it would mean
that any costs could be split between the concerned parties, which of course ,
would mean it would easier on stretched budgets!
It would also help reinforce a sense of community spirit,
and forge valuable links between local businesses.
In terms of Public Relations, it would look for all parties
involved to be sponsoring such a positive initiative.
I have given this a lot of thought and whilst I realise that
there are other places where a pool is available, few of them would be able to
offer the access to as many varied facilities that such a partnership could
create.
It is even possible that package deals could be offered,
which would help with promotion and maximise income for all concerned.
Also, people who needed rehabilitation as a result of
accident, injury, or disability would have access to all facilities, which is
excellent from a disability rights perspective, especially with such a strain
on services, which have negatively on the lives of disabled and ill people.
We need people (and organisations) to keep putting disabled
people first, and proving to us that we, (and the quality of our lives), are
not becoming an afterthought.
Actually, when you think about it, the possibilities for the
pool, and the place it has in the community, are almost endless. Issues such as
‘low occupancy’ would be solved as a result of a partnership, and we already
know that local people would like to see the pool kept open.
I really do feel that it could benefit everyone.
Yours faithfully
Helen ....
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