New Pool-Pods installed at Wiltshire swimming pools

Wiltshire Council is installing Pool-Pods across its leisure centres, making swimming pools more accessible for disabled customers and anyone who may struggle to access swimming independently.

Pool-Pods have already been installed at The Vale in Pewsey, Marlborough Leisure Centre and Devizes Leisure Centre, with further installations due at Five Rivers Health & Wellbeing Centre, Olympiad Leisure Centre, Trowbridge Sports Centre and The Activity Zone in Malmesbury by March 2023. They will also be installed at the new Melksham Community Campus, which is due to open later this year.

Pool-Pods provide dignified and independent access for swimmers who find it hard to get in or out of the swimming pool, such as wheelchair users, older adults, pregnant women and those with limited mobility. Unlike a traditional pool hoist, the user can independently control the operation, using a specially designed wristband, without the need for a pool attendant's intervention.

Cllr Ian Blair-Pilling, Wiltshire Council Cabinet Member for Leisure and Public Health, said: Having these Pool-Pods installed and in use at our leisure centres will help us offer greater access to more local people who may wish to use our leisure centres to improve their health and wellbeing.

Regardless of a person's fitness level, swimming is a great form of all round exercise, and swimming regularly can help to reduce the risk of chronic illnesses, boost mood and help with weight management.

We are excited to have the new pool-pods and we are aiming to have them installed in all Wiltshire Council swimming pools as soon as we can.

For more information on swimming and other activities offered at Wiltshire Council leisure centres, people should visit www.wiltshire.gov.uk/leisure