Angela’s Swim School and We Are Beams have joined in collaboration to offer swimming lessons to children with ASD (Autism) or ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder).
A new fundraising appeal Get2Swim has been launched using the platform Spacehive to generate donations from the public to support the £3000 target needed. If the target is reached with public donations they may be lucky enough to get match funding from Kent County Council.
The swimming lessons will be offered at a reduced rate for the parents by Beams.
Caroline Brinkman Income Generation and Development Lead said “We are delighted to collaborate with Kent-based Angela’s Swim School to launch the Get2Swim campaign for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder or ADHD to ensure their disabilities do not exclude them from the joy of being in the water and the important life skill of learning to swim”.
Angela Wilson founder of the swim school is an ex international and Commonwealth swimmer who, at just 15years was British champion for both 400 and 800m freestyle.
As a parent to a daughter with ASD, Angela also understands the challenges for parents to find suitable swimming lessons for children with special educational needs and following the unwavering support Beams have given her own family, Angela felt strongly she wanted to give something back.
The swim school will create a fundraising campaign to give children, supported by the charity, one term of weekly swimming lessons.
Get2Swim will be provided at a not-for-profit price that only covers instructor and pool fees. Each child will be given a visual guide on what to expect which will help to reduce anxiety.
Angela describes why she has chosen to support Beams
“Running my own swim school, I feel I am in a strong position help. That is why I have reached out to children’s charity We Are Beams. The charity does amazing work supporting children with a range of disabilities and is there for their families too. In fact, they were there for me when Katie came into my life; teaching me how to help her thrive educationally and navigating me through to ensure Katie’s schools provided her with the help she needed.”
The swim school and Beams believe that all children should have the opportunity to learn to swim especially as it has such a positive effect on mental and physical health.
For more information on Get2Swim and how you can support please click here.