Newark Mencap support worker asks Newark Sports and Fitness Centre 'to be more understanding'

A support worker has asked a leisure centre to be more understanding with special needs customers following issues during swimming sessions.

Becca Nicholls, of Newark Mencap, a day service that supports people with learning disabilities, said Newark Sports and Fitness Centre had made it difficult for her group to enjoy their sessions.

Becca said she had used the facilities with her clients, of all ages, for two years and had never had to deal with a shared pool.

“Now they have segregated the session, hoping to put more money in their pockets,” she said.

“I was assured (by the leisure centre) that it had just changed to a public swim and wouldn’t be put into lanes.

“Imagine my horror when it was indeed laned and segregated.”

Becca said staff pointed out a double lane area of the pool, which was left for her clients.

“They paid good money to be told they were not allowed out of the double lane, which was far to small for everyone to benefit from,” said

“We have some clients that attend swimming so they can achieve the physio they need, which was not possible due to a lack of space.

“I don’t know if someone from the leisure centre wants to come and tell the autistic adults, whom look forward to swimming one week to the next, why this has happened and what’s going on, but I would welcome it, as it’s not a nice job to do.”

Becca said when the centre re-opened after the first lockdown she had had issues with booking a swimming slot as each member would have to book individually.

“They are asking people to book online now with covid, but our group have no concept of email accounts and even to do through their parents would be difficult,” said Becca.

“There isn’t a lot they can do because of covid and I understand that, but it would be nice if they had more of an understanding of where we are coming from.”

Andy Carolan, of Active4Today, said: “Pre March 2020, before the leisure centres closed nationally (due to covid-19) Active4Today ran a pay and play swimming session at Newark Sports and Fitness Centre, for persons with disabilities and their carers.

“The session were set up initially on a trial basis to see if there was sufficient interest from individuals and groups to make the sessions both worthwhile as an activity and sustainable in terms of lifeguard cover and pool usage.

“The session was well supported with attendees regularly reaching 30 to 35 users and, as a result, ran for approximately two years.

“Unfortunately, following the re-instatement of the session, usage numbers have been extremely low. However, acknowledging the importance of this activity, Active4Today worked hard to retain the session by combining it with a laned swim, to maximise the opportunities for all users.

“Usage has now reached a sustainable level and the activity continues to run and it is hoped that additional users will continue to join and numbers increase further.

“In the event any organisation, including Newark Mencap, wishes to hire the pool and run their own session/club, Active4Today would welcome communication from the group, in order it may be able to identify a suitable time for an agreement to take place.”