We are volunteers helping to bring the community together for fun and friendship at the pool.
Lee Gardens Pool Committee was set up in June 2015 with the aim of opening the children's outdoor swimming pool in Penrhiwceiber, which closed in 2013. Thanks to the support of many public and private organisations and tremendous backing of the local community and businesses the pool re-opened in August 2016. Our project is not just about opening the pool in the summer, it is about bringing together the whole community throughout the year to build new skills, meet people and socialise.
Why the community needs usAs well as being a meeting place for volunteers and the public we also enable volunteers to access training and build new skills. Volunteers have undergone training in First Aid, Protection of Vulnerable Adults (POVA), Safeguarding, Emergency Pool Responder and NPLQ Lifeguard. Of the five NPLQ lifeguards we trained in 2017, three gained employment with RCT Leisure Department. At the time of writing one is awaiting an interview while another twelve have signed up for NPLQ and Responder training.
Our impact on the communityDuring 2017 there were 5,891 volunteers and visitors at Lee Gardens Pool. Lee Gardens Volunteers range from children under 7 years to adults over 75 years. Children and families enjoy the pool while elderly men and women join us for the company. The pool is somewhere they come for a cuppa and a chat to combat their loneliness. One elderly lady told us 'It's lovely to come here and chat with people I haven't seen for years'. Another said 'This is better than being inside looking at four walls'.
All are welcome, no skills needed. Come and join us!
