Local Swimming School receives vital funding from the Swimathon Foundation

SOUTHPORT Aquatic Academy applied for the grant as part of Swimathon Foundation's 2nd Covid19 Relief Fund, announced in February 2021, to mitigate loss of income whilst pools are closed. The School operates out of 2 venues around Southport, and works with children up to the age of 8, all of whom have various individual needs or disabilities. The Pandemic meant a loss of income across all lessons, while costs were still present for coaching subscriptions, company software and furlough top ups where needed. The Swimathon Foundation grant will help the club to prepare for reopening, and allow them to deliver the 'owed' lessons that were paid for in the summer and will be completed in the first few weeks after opening.

Janet Strydom, coach and secretary at the club, said:- "As a small, newly formed business finding ourselves slipping through almost every net of support, we were delighted to be successful in receiving a grant from Swimathon Foundation. It was so exciting to be selected from the overwhelmingly large number of organisations who had applied. We absolutely 'live' to be in the water so can't wait to get back into the pools soon. Fortunately 95% of our families were happy to wait with us and we really look forward to working alongside each child to help encourage and re-build happy, confident swimmers with an essential life skill that will stay with them forever."

Swimathon Foundation has awarded grants to 148 swimming and aquatic clubs, Schools, and organisations from its 2021 Covid19 Relief Fund. The Foundation launched its 1st Fund in May 2020 in response to the impact of the Covid19 Pandemic on the swimming community across Britain. Having awarded ₤50,000 of grants from this first Fund to over 100 organisations and individuals last year, the Foundation realised additional support was required and released a further ₤30,000 to aid the swimming community. In total just over 250 organisations/individuals have been supported through the two Funds.

Anthony Kendall OBE, Chair of Swimathon Foundation said:- "In these difficult times for all swimming organisations, Swimathon Foundation has been determined to play its part in supporting those smaller, local groups that are the foundation of swimming participation throughout the UK. We have been taken aback by the number of people who need help during these unprecedented times and that is why we have increased our overall donation to ₤50,000. Swimming is a vital community activity and we are proud to play our part. Hopefully this funding means Southport Aquatic Academy can continue their great work."

Swimathon Foundation is a remarkable:- 'force for good' in communities all across the UK. Its main pool based:- 'Swimathon' has raised over ₤50 million for charities since it was started some 33 years ago. 'Swimathon' is the UK's biggest pool based recreational swimming event. It takes place annually at some 600 pools across the UK and some 750,000 people have taken part since the 1st event in 1986. As a result of Coronavirus, this year's event is now scheduled to take place later in the year. For more information about The Swimathon Foundation, visit:- SwimathonFoundation.Org.
 

More than 80 well known employers commit to '1st of its kind' jobs fair this April

ROLES will be available with names including:- Greggs, Network Rail, Booking.com and more NorthWestWorks4U, the virtual jobs fair taking place this April, has announced that more than 80 big name employers have signed up to advertise roles for jobseekers across the Region.

Brands including:- Network Rail, the MOD, Engie, Kier, Greggs, North West Ambulance Service, 2 NHS trusts, Eddie Stobart, TalkTalk, McCann Health, the RAF and Booking.com have already signed up for NorthWestWorks4U.

There will be more than 8,000 growth sector vacancies to fill at the fair, which is thought to be the 1st of its kind in the UK. There will also be support and employability content, with practical advice about jobs for an expected audience of 20,000 local job seekers in the North West.

Jobseekers interested in the event are encouraged to sign up promptly to secure their place for the online expo, running from 6 April to 8 April 2021. It will be hosted on the Jobs Live platform, which allows candidates to speak to prospective employers while live jobs are being broadcast.

NorthWestWorks4U is being co-organised and supported by both the public and private sectors, with leading regional employers TalkTalk and McCann Health, working in partnership with Job Centre Plus.

Peter Jamieson, North West Director for DWP, said:- "We're delighted to bring this huge opportunity to the North West, the 1st of its kind and a new way of working for us. Ensuring that good quality job opportunities are still available in abundance; despite the Pandemic; is vital to continue the growth of this region. That's why we're grateful to all partners involved in NorthWestWorks4U, as well as our 80 strong pledge list, for their commitment to make this ground breaking event a success."

NorthWestWorks4U is a unique partnership between DWP, Jobcentre Plus North West, North West Local Enterprise Partnerships and the Region's major private sector employers. It is being co-organised and supported by TalkTalk and McCann Health. Those interested can sign up at:- NorthWestWorks4U.Com.