Poolpods: Safe access to swimming pools throughout Northern Ireland

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A major element of the Active Living No Limits Action Plan, which is a major funding initiative supported by the Department for Communities, to improve health and well-being for people with a disability in Northern Ireland through participation in sport and physical activity, has been the installation of Poolpods throughout Northern Ireland.

Poolpods are a platform lift that were developed for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games and which are now transforming access to Northern Ireland swimming pools for people with a disability or restricted mobility.

To date a total of 11 Poolpods have been installed at a number of locations across NI for example Bangor Aurora Complex, Lakeland Forum, Omagh Leisure Centre, Foyle Arena, Cookstown Leisure Centre, Seven Towers Leisure Centre, Lisburn Leisureplex and The Antrim Forum. Poolpods at Banbridge Leisure Centre and at the Joey Dunlop Centre in Ballymoney will be launched during October.

The Poolpods provide a quick and simple means of pool access, making accessible swimming for all abilities a very real option, in some cases for the first time. They allow pool users with mobility issues a dignified, safe and easy way of entering the pool which in turn makes the overall experience much more enjoyable. Their provision will also encourage more people with limited mobility to consider swimming as a safe and enjoyable form of exercise.

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