Hundreds of children attending swimming lessons at Active Lichfield’s leisure centres will take part in special water safety and lifesaving sessions as part of Drowning Prevention Week.
Running from 13 to 20 June, the national campaign led by the Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK) aims to raise awareness of water safety and help prevent accidental drowning incidents.
Throughout the week, swimming lessons at both Lichfield Leisure Centre and Burntwood Leisure Centre will include age-appropriate water safety and lifesaving activities designed to help children stay safe in and around water.
Younger swimmers will focus on key foundation skills including floating on their back, water confidence and understanding how to stay safe. Older swimmers will learn more advanced techniques, including what to do if they see somebody in difficulty and how to safely seek help.
Councillor Andy Smith, Lichfield District Council's Cabinet Member for Leisure, Parks and Major Projects, said:
“Every parent wants their child to feel confident and safe around water. While learning to swim is a fantastic achievement, understanding how to stay safe and what to do in an emergency is equally important.
“Through Drowning Prevention Week, hundreds of young people attending lessons at our leisure centres will learn skills that could one day help save their own life or someone else's.
“As we head into the summer months, it’s a timely reminder that water safety starts with education, awareness and confidence. That’s why we’re proud to support initiatives that help keep our communities safe.”
Swimming lessons play an important role in helping children build confidence in the water, but they also provide vital skills that could one day save a life.
As warmer weather arrives and families spend more time around swimming pools, rivers, lakes and the coast, Active Lichfield is encouraging parents and children to familiarise themselves with simple water safety advice.
More than 2,300 children are set to attend the sessions at the district’s leisure centres.
For more information about swimming lessons and water safety, visit Active Lichfield’s website.