Haverhill Leisure Centre adds a £38,000 poolpod to ensure anyone can get in and out of the water

Swimmers with mobility issues can now get in and out of the pool at Haverhill Leisure Centre more easily after the installation of a £38,000 poolpod.

Abbeycroft, which manages the Ehringshausen Way leisure centre on behalf of West Suffolk Council, has added the state-of-the-art poolpod, which is designed to enhance accessibility and comfort for swimmers of all abilities.

Poolpods provide dignified and independent access for swimmers who find it hard to get in or out of the pool, such as wheelchair users, older adults, pregnant women and those with limited mobility.

Tracey Loynds, operations director at Abbeycroft, said: “We’re thrilled to introduce the innovative pool pod at Haverhill.

“This investment demonstrates our commitment to making our facilities accessible to everyone, regardless of ability.

“It will provide a more comfortable and independent swimming experience for individuals with limited mobility, empowering them to enjoy the benefits of swimming and water exercise and we are hopeful that more people in Haverhill and the surrounding areas will utilise the new equipment."

Unlike a traditional pool hoist, the user can independently control the operation, using a specially designed wristband, without assistance.

Funding for the new pool pod has been provided by St. Edmunds Trust, Bruce Wake Charitable Trust and Peter Harrison Foundation.

Cllr Ian Shipp, cabinet member for leisure at West Suffolk Council, said: “We are delighted that Haverhill Leisure Centre has installed a life-changing pool pod thanks to funding from Trusts.

“The new equipment reduces the barriers to accessing water-based activities by allowing users to be comfortable and independent, enabling people to be physically active contributes to our thriving communities as individuals are able to enhance their health and wellbeing.”

Activity Alliance, the national charity and leading voice for disabled people in sport and activity, states that only three in 10 disabled people believe that they have the same opportunity to be active as non-disabled people and despite a slight improvement before the pandemic, disabled people remain twice as likely to be inactive.

Haverhill has, said an Abbeycroft spokesperson, around 7,200 people who are disabled or have long-term health conditions.