There are some things in life that become such a constant that you stop thinking about them.
For me, swimming has always been one of those things.
I was fortunate to learn to swim at a very young age and, growing up in Hong Kong, it was simply part of everyday life. As a child, swimming was fun. It was sport, recreation, socialising and adventure all rolled into one. It was something I never really had to think about because access to it was always there.
Looking back I realise that is not everyone’s experience.
At PLG, we regularly see the positive impact that water-based therapy can have on the people we support. Whether through hydrotherapy, rehabilitation or simply the freedom that water can provide, the benefits extend far beyond physical exercise.
We have been fortunate enough to help facilitate purpose-built hydrotherapy pools for a number of clients over the years. Time and time again, we hear the same message from clients, parents, carers and therapists: being in the water offers something that is often difficult to find elsewhere. Greater freedom of movement, increased confidence, reduced discomfort and, perhaps most importantly, a sense of independence.
That is why the work of Level Water resonates so strongly with me.
Level Water exists to provide one-to-one swimming lessons for children with disabilities across the UK. Their mission is built around something very simple but incredibly important: ensuring that more children have the opportunity to access the water, learn to swim and experience the confidence and enjoyment that comes with it.
In many ways, that aligns closely with the work we do every day.
At PLG, we spend our time helping people access environments that support greater independence, confidence and quality of life. While swimming lessons and adapted homes may seem very different, the principle behind them is remarkably similar. It is about removing barriers and creating opportunities that allow people to participate more fully in everyday life.
Swimming has certainly done that for me throughout my life.
As I have got older, it has become much more than simply exercise.
When other activities took a back seat during the early years of parenting, swimming was there. When injuries prevented running or rowing, swimming was there. When pregnancy made many other forms of exercise uncomfortable, swimming was still there.
It has always been the activity I could come back to.
When my own children were born, it felt important that they learned to swim from a very young age. Not only because it is an important life skill, but because I wanted them to experience the same sense of freedom and confidence that swimming has always given me.
More recently, I have become part of the growing open water swimming community.
Through the Bluetit community, I have met an incredible group of women whose friendship, encouragement and support have brought a huge amount of joy into my life. Open water swimming has introduced me to people, places and experiences that I would never otherwise have encountered.
That journey eventually led me to join the Vale Swim Collective, an inclusive swimming club where I continue to train alongside another fantastic group of swimmers.
This summer, a number of us are taking on a series of open water swimming challenges to raise money for Level Water.
The first challenge takes place on 5 July and involves the Dart 10K, a 10-kilometre swim along the River Dart. I will also be volunteering the day before the event helping to support other swimmers taking part in the challenge.
I have swum across Rutland Water and completed a 2 mile swim in Lake Windermere, but the Dart 10K river swim is a whole new challenge. Depending on conditions, swimmers can spend more than two hours in the water. What makes the challenge particularly interesting is the unknown. I have never completed this distance before and, as with any open water event, the weather, water conditions and river itself all have a role to play.
That uncertainty is part of what makes it exciting.
The Dart 10K will then be followed by two further events later in the summer. On 19 July, I will take part in the Bantham Boomerang, a swim on the River Avon. Then, on 12 September, I will be heading to North Wales for the Hurly Burly, another open water challenge that promises to be both wild and fast-paced.
Together, the three events will push me well beyond my comfort zone, but they are all in support of a cause that I feel genuinely passionate about.
What stands out most about Level Water is its focus on access.
For many children with disabilities, learning to swim is not straightforward. Access to facilities, specialist teaching and appropriate support can all create barriers. The charity works to remove those barriers and give more children the opportunity to enjoy the water in the same way that many of us have throughout our lives.
Every day, I see the difference that the right environment can make. Whether that is a home, a therapy space or access to specialist facilities, the ability to participate, move independently and enjoy everyday experiences should never be underestimated.
If I can complete these challenges and help raise money for a charity that is opening those opportunities up to more children, I will consider the summer a success.
One thing that was important to me when taking on these challenges was ensuring that every pound raised goes directly to the charity. The event entry fees and associated costs have already been covered personally, meaning all donations made through the fundraising page will go straight to supporting Level Water’s work across the UK.
Support the Challenge
If you would like to support the challenge and the fantastic work that Level Water does, the JustGiving page can be found below:
JustGiving Page: https://www.justgiving.com/page/alison-pressley-1
Every donation, no matter the size, will help fund one-to-one swimming lessons for children with disabilities across the UK.
If donating is not possible, simply sharing the page will help raise awareness of both the charity and the important work it does to make swimming accessible for children who may otherwise miss out.
Learn More About the Challenges
Dart 10K – 5 July
https://www.levelwater.org/dart10k
Bantham Boomerang – 19 July
https://www.levelwater.org/boomerang-event-info-26
Hurly Burly – 12 September
https://www.levelwater.org/hurly-burly-event-info-26
About Level Water
To learn more about Level Water and the work they do across the UK, visit: https://www.levelwater.org
