Halo Leisure’s Feel Good for Life Dementia-Friendly Swimming Programme Wins Swim Wales Community Impact Award For a Second Year!
Halo Leisure’s Feel Good for Life Dementia-Friendly Swimming Programme was recognised with the Community Impact Award at the Swim Wales Awards on Saturday, 1st February 2025. The accolade celebrates the programme’s success in providing inclusive and supportive swimming sessions for people living with dementia and loneliness, setting a benchmark for community-focused health initiatives.
The award acknowledged how the programme has brought the community together through aquatic activities, inspiring positive change and contributing to improved social, mental, and physical wellbeing.
What began as the Dementia-Friendly Swimming Programme in Bridgend County Borough has been a remarkable success for both people with complex needs and their carers. Since its launch in 2019, the initiative has expanded significantly. Over 360 individuals, including 230 people living with dementia and 130 unpaid carers, have been supported. Weekly two-hour sessions now take place in three locations across Bridgend County Borough and online get togethers are available too.
Expressing delight over the win, Ryan Statton, Head of Active Communities at Halo Leisure, said: “Winning the prestigious national award for Community Impact truly underlines the dedication and effort invested in our initiatives. It’s a testament to our ongoing commitment to making leisure and sport accessible to everyone in our communities.”
The average age of Feel Good for Life participants is 76 years old and many live with a variety of complex health issues that require ongoing medical care, including dementia, physical disabilities, cognitive impairments, and depression. Ensuring sessions are safe and enjoyable requires extensive staff training, centre adaptations and ongoing monitoring. In addition, the programme offers free community transport for participants who are no longer able to travel to sessions independently.
The Feel Good for Life Dementia-Friendly Swimming Programme would not have been possible without funding from Bridgend County Borough Council and the National Lottery Community Fund Wales.
To learn more about the Feel Good for Life Programme and support Halo’s efforts, please visit our website. https://haloleisure.org.uk/feelgoodforlife/
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Halo Staff from left to right:
Scott Rolfe, Chief Executive Officer, Joanne Smith- Partnership Manager, Vanessa Bale -Group Aquatic Development Manager,Ryan Statton – Head of Active Communities, Aneka Rao – Community Insight & Evaluation/Research Officer, Rebekka Felman – Community Wellbeing Instructor, Sally Davies- General Manager Maesteg Sports Centre, Joanne Delve – Healthy Living and Wellness Manager Bridgend County Borough Council and Richard Preece- Business Development Manager