Community directory

Platypus Swimming Club For The Handicapped

Meets on Sunday 11.00am-1.00pm.
Venue: Hatfield Swim Centre, Lemsford Road, Hatfield, AL10 0EB.

The Platypus Swimming Club enables people with disabilities and volunteer helpers of all ages and abilities including non-swimmers from the town of Hatfield and the surrounding areas to enjoy the benefits of swimming in safety and privacy. The current members range from very young children with congenital and/or mental disabilities, to accident and stroke-victims, those with arthritis, learning difficulties, visual impairment and 80 year olds suffering simply from the effects of old age.

The Club meets weekly on Sunday mornings between 11.00am-1.00pm (swimming between 11.15am-12.20pm) with a further 40 minutes to have a shower and get changed. During this time we have the pool and changing rooms exclusively to ensure privacy and time for those who need it in order to exercise or relax in a quiet environment.

The Hatfield Swim Centre has excellent facilities. The main 33m pool allows a full length to be swum in either shallow (1m depth) or deeper water. The pool is accessible by a hoist or by steps, designed especially for the club’s members. There is also a learner pool, which is excellent for remedial work and great for babies and young children as it is always kept at 31 degrees C. Professional lifeguards are always in attendance and also available to administer first-aid when necessary.

The aims of the Club are dependent on the needs of each member, instilling confidence in the water, providing advice and encouragement where necessary. This also includes those in need of remedial treatment such as people recovering from strokes and accidents and can involve one-to-one sessions with volunteers.

The competitive instincts of many members are catered for by 10 annual swimming galas. These are mainly run under the auspices of the National Association of Swimming Clubs for the Handicapped (NASCH) and include the annual Club Championships, friendly races against other clubs of the Eastern Region as well as the National Gala held each autumn.

Membership is only £5.00 per annum and 50p per swim. Children under 5 years of age have free membership, but are charged 50p per swim. Volunteer helpers are given associate membership with an entitlement, if there is time, to an extra 20 minute swim from 12.20pm-12.40pm. There are no particular requirements for Associate Membership (except a willingness to smile, laugh and have a good time).

Please contact for further information: Mrs Eileen Butterworth, Membership Secretary 01707 256566.

Registered charity number 1092634