VOLUNTEERS

 

Seahorse Swimming Club is a volunteer-led group, providing a safe and pleasant environment for people with disabilities from various backgrounds and of all ages.

Several hundred volunteers have been involved with Seahorse since its formation and at present the Club has up to 25 volunteers aged 13 - 75 years. The volunteers' roles vary from assisting and encouraging swimmers in the pool, ensuring the safety of the swimmers from the poolside and helping behind the scenes, which involves organising galas, social and fundraising events and carrying out the Club's management duties.

Many of the current volunteers have been involved with the Club for between 5 - 20 years. The young volunteers have gained valuable experience and some have been recognised with the Duke of Edinburgh Award for their services at Seahorse. Students from the Manchester Metropolitan University Campus in Crewe have also volunteered and developed skills to assist them with their studies, and some of the volunteers have progresed to take up careers in the health and care industry.

Volunteering at Seahorse offers many benefits:

* Personal satisfaction knowing that your time and effort is helping people with disabilities. 

* Boosting your own development and confidence. 

* Attend Halliwick AST and local authority courses and workshops.

* Offered days out, social and fundraising events.

* Make new friends.

Although volunteers in the water are expected to be competent swimmers, a commitment to the Club's aims and having the ability to interact with people with disabilities, is more important than being a great swimmer.

The swimmers are encouraged to gain confidence in the water and develop skills to allow them to swim freely in the water. They enjoy the fun and the social aspect of the Club and are also given opportunities to compete in swimming galas. These benefits are all made possible by the dedication and hard work of the volunteers at the Club.

Volunteers are required to undergo a DBS check, the cost of which is met by the Club.

Above - Barbara Warrington, one of Seahorse's founder members who visited the Club at the Lifestyle Centre with her husband Dave, at the launch of a new book to celebrate Seahorse's Diamond Anniversary in 2016 - A Seahorse Tale compiled by Club Secretary Gareth Roberts, which gives a brief history of Seahorse and details some of the Club's achievements. Also in the picture is the Mayor of Crewe Town Council, Councillor Dennis Straine-Francis and Gareth Roberts. 

Barbara, an honorary member at Seahorse, volunteered for almost 48 years. A fantastic achievement.

​A Seahorse Tale - The Club are grateful to local historian Mark Potts for publishing the book, which is available for purchase from Gareth Roberts (01270 629958).

Above: Seahorse Volunteers Carolyn, Jackie and Julie at Crewe's Flag Lane Pool 2015

Above - Seahorse Volunteers Jane, Nicole and Annie at Crewe's Lifestyle Centre, September 2018

Above - Volunteers Rob, Reg, Gareth and Darren, April 2019

Above - Volunteers Becky, Charlotte and Megan, May 2019 

Below - Volunteers Karen, Baz, Steph, Jackie and Debbie, Dec 2020

 

Above - Seahorse's young Volunteer Maisie, July 2023

Above - Seahorse Volunteers with Connor Naismith (MP for Crewe and Nantwich) and Councillor Dawn Clark (Crewe Town Council Mayor), at the Halliwick National Gala, October 2024 

THANK YOU TO SEAHORSE'S VOLUNTEERS

Seahorse Swimming Club appreciates the fantastic work by its volunteers who assist the swimmers to improve their skills in the water and have an enjoyable time. And not forgetting those volunteers who work hard in their roles behind the scenes.