Refugee Settlement Services and the Y Central South Island have partnered together for the third school holiday period in September to provide swimming lessons to local refugee children.

Held in the Strathallan Lifecare swimming pool in Konini Street, the overall goal of the programme is to increase water confidence and give the children foundation water skills.

Whānau and Community Worker for the Y’s Youth and Community Development team; Jo Skudder, delivers the programme which utilises her skills as a former swimmer, lifeguard, and experienced swim coach.  Well known youth worker for the Y, James Coyle has also been joining her in the pool.

With up to 14 children enrolled between the ages of 4 and 14, each child completes 6 one- hour sessions.  Most of the children started with little to no water confidence, so a focus was initiated on foundational water safety skills which include submerging, blowing bubbles, floating on their backs, and feeling more comfortable in the water overall.

“It’s been amazing to watch the children’s confidence grow and their joy in the water come to life” said Skudder, “the children are warm, eager and full of enthusiasm.  It really is a privilege to have this opportunity to do what I love and hopefully inspire a few future water babies!”.

The progress made over time has proven that these sessions have been a success.  Each of the children can now submerge, blow bubbles and float confidently in the pool.  Several of the older children have progressed to being able to swim short distances and dive into the water also.

For Jo, who has been a keen fan of the water her whole life, to be able to share her knowledge and experience in such a hands-on meaningful way has been incredibly rewarding.

“These young people have not had the opportunity in their lives to swim before, it seems unbelievable to people in a country like New Zealand and we take it for granted.  The pure joy and confidence growth is a pleasure to see”.

The pool facility at Strathallan has been a perfect environment to allow the children to discover their water wings and explore their new skills in a private setting and along with Refugee Settlement Services and the Y, they are thrilled to be able to provide such a key programme to our new residents.

Kā Hapori Kaha, Kah ai ā Mua | Strong Communities, Strong Futures