I will be swimming at 4am in the morning as part of a 24-hour fundraising swimming relay!
Since moving to Bristol last April, I have become very fond of swimming at Jubilee pool. When it was threatened with closure (again!), I was keen to help out in any way I could so joined the Friends of Jubilee Pool committee - a group of volunteers who want to save the pool and transfer the ownership to the community. Last week we submitted our Expression of Interest (EOI) to Bristol City Council (BCC) for a Community Asset Transfer (CAT). If successful, we'll be putting together a full business plan and supporting documents to submit to the council, and only in July will we know if we're successful in our application - it's a long process! None of us have any experience in CATs, but collectively there's a huge variety of skills and connections, underpinned by a determination that this pool will not close.
The money from this fundraiser will help us access legal advice, accountancy, marketing and communications, funding, specialist structural surveys, as well as help to develop our business plan. We are extremely thankful to have received some pro bono support so far, but need to raise additional funds to keep going.
The pool has welcomed over 4500 people since reopening in April 2021 from all over South Bristol. It is also one of the few pools (and sometimes places) where those with learning or sensory disabilities, older people and survivors of violence have said they feel comfortable going, owing to its community welcoming feel and subdued acoustics. Also serving seven schools, swimming lessons and numerous other sessions; there is something for everyone. It's also the warmest pool in Bristol so those recovering from surgery or living with mobility issues are often recommended to go - and it's lovely for the rest of us as well! Along with BCC's vision for a Healthy City by 2050, there are so many reasons to save this facility!
I will be swimming at 4am in the morning as part of a 24-hour fundraising swimming relay!
Since moving to Bristol last April, I have become very fond of swimming at Jubilee pool. When it was threatened with closure (again!), I was keen to help out in any way I could so joined the Friends of Jubilee Pool committee - a group of volunteers who want to save the pool and transfer the ownership to the community. Last week we submitted our Expression of Interest (EOI) to Bristol City Council (BCC) for a Community Asset Transfer (CAT). If successful, we'll be putting together a full business plan and supporting documents to submit to the council, and only in July will we know if we're successful in our application - it's a long process! None of us have any experience in CATs, but collectively there's a huge variety of skills and connections, underpinned by a determination that this pool will not close.
The money from this fundraiser will help us access legal advice, accountancy, marketing and communications, funding, specialist structural surveys, as well as help to develop our business plan. We are extremely thankful to have received some pro bono support so far, but need to raise additional funds to keep going.
The pool has welcomed over 4500 people since reopening in April 2021 from all over South Bristol. It is also one of the few pools (and sometimes places) where those with learning or sensory disabilities, older people and survivors of violence have said they feel comfortable going, owing to its community welcoming feel and subdued acoustics. Also serving seven schools, swimming lessons and numerous other sessions; there is something for everyone. It's also the warmest pool in Bristol so those recovering from surgery or living with mobility issues are often recommended to go - and it's lovely for the rest of us as well! Along with BCC's vision for a Healthy City by 2050, there are so many reasons to save this facility!
