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Silver Anniversary Page |
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A MESSAGE FROM
LORD JOEL JOFFE OF LIDDINGTON
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Little did I realise on 3 July 1979
when I officially opened The Thamesdown Hydrotherapy Pool, what an important
part this Pool would play in the lives of so many, both in Swindon and the
surrounding districts. Since that opening an incredible 750,000 pool
sessions have been provided and countless thousands of our community have
benefited from it. |
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The Pool is unique in that it is the only one of
its kind in the UK owned and managed by a Charity. It has been built and
operated through the drive and enthusiasm of a dedicated band of volunteers
and has been very fortunate to have a committed and caring staff team so
superbly led by its manager, Paul Charlwood.
During the twenty five years since the Pool’s
opening, the Pool Association have continued to improve its facilities and
services on an on-going basis to such an extent that it must now be one of
the best equipped Hydrotherapy Pools in the country. When I was privileged
to open the latest extensions to the Pool in 2002, I was impressed to see
the new purpose built changing areas, a new movement system and adjustable
beds and new equipment that added another dimension to the services on
offer.
The development of this Pool and the friendly and
professional way in which it is run, must be one of Swindon’ s finest
examples of a community initiative which owes its success to team work and
partnership of the staff, the Committee, the Trustees, “Friends” of the
Pool, volunteers, supporters, statutory bodies and the local business
community. I do not doubt that they will ensure that it continues to serve
the community of Swindon for the next twenty five years and beyond.
Joel Joffe March 2004
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TALES FROM THE TREASURER
"Never heard of the Thamesdown Hydrotherapy Pool. What
do they do?"
I cannot remember my exact words, but when asked to
become Treasurer in 1988 I knew nothing about the pool or the people that
they helped. Since that time I have witnessed all the fantastic work all the
staff and volunteers contribute towards making the pool a great success.
I believe the majority of the local community; do not
know that we exist as a charity or of the great work undertaken at the pool.
Of the people who are aware of the pool I believe they think that the pool
is a council facility, but they couldn’t be further from the truth!
The Thamesdown Hydrotherapy Pool is a registered
charity and a privately run pool for the disabled. The idea for the pool was
first conceived in the late 1960’s and in those early days the founders of
the pool could not of imagined that now we accommodate 29 adult groups, 15
schools with special needs units and over 35,000 referral sessions per
annum. For a quarter of a century the pool has provided thermal water
therapy for the local disabled community, not bad for a group volunteers,
whose only wish is to see the continued success of the Thamesdown
Hydrotherapy Pool.
As a private charity we endeavour to be
self-sufficient and every year we as a charity, through the help and
enthusiasm of friends and users, raise in excess of £25,000 to assist with
the running costs. This year is a special year and what better way to
celebrate than to ensure the future success of this unique hydrotherapy pool
facility. We aim to raise our awareness throughout the community and
celebrate by raising as much money as possible, to ensure the financial
stability of the charity is strong now and in the years ahead. We would like
as many people as possible to join in our celebrations.
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Fact
The youngest pool user
recorded was 12 weeks old. The most senior 95 years young!
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Some Statistics |
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Finances:
Fact
The Pool
currently has to raise around £100,000 to cover its annual running costs.
This comes from admission fees, grants and donations; these usually leave
about £25,000 every year to be found from other sources in order to meet our
commitments. |
Finances:
Fact
We are
not funded from either central or local government sources. |
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Numbers
Since the pool opened over 750,000 uses of the pool
have been recorded. |
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Ownership!
Fact
The pool has been a
Registered Charity since 1974 and run by its Trustees and committee of
unpaid volunteers.
Fiction
We are not part of (and
never have been) the old Thamesdown Borough Council, the current Swindon
Borough Council or any other local authority. |
Address
Fact
The Hydrotherapy Pool can be found in Jefferies Avenue just off Cricklade
Road.
Fiction
Not at Milton Road Baths, The
Oasis nor any other recreational facility in Swindon. |
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A Last Word From The Chairman
I feel proud and
privileged to have been associated with the Hydrotherapy pool’s achievements
over the last quarter of a century. I was one of those “like minded people”
who sat down in the mid 1960’s to discuss the possibilities of having such a
facility in Swindon and have since been a committee member, trustee and now
Chairman of the Association.
Our achievements have been
two fold. Firstly in providing a facility that has brought relief and joy to
numerous people especially to the many handicapped children that use the
pool. It is a great testimony to the ability of thermal water therapy to see
the pleasure it brings when people enter the water for the first time.
Secondly is our will to survive. It does not come cheap to run and maintain
a facility of these proportions, but doggedly every year we have been able
to raise the money to keep the pool in good stead. This I should add could
not have been achieved without the assistance and support of our many users
and friends.
I sincerely hope that with your help the Hydrotherapy
Pool will be as successful for the next twenty-five years.
Peter Jones
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