Stevenage Dolphins Swimming Club is reaching a milestone this year, marking 60 years since its inception in July 1962, under the chairmanship of Mr Harry Parker.
Since then is has grown to be a valuable asset to Stevenage and the surrounding areas and now has around 100 members in this, its 60th year.
They are a swimming club for anyone with a physical or mental disability that would benefit from exercise in the water, and which prevents them from the enjoyment of the swimming pool at a public session.
Following the construction of Stevenage Swimming Pool during 1962, the Dolphins held their first meeting for people with special needs at that venue and have continued to offer sessions every Sunday since then, interrupted only by the Covid-19 pandemic.
The group is a self-supporting UK registered charity and run by a small team of dedicated volunteers, raising its own funds to maintain and further its work in the community. They are dependent on the goodwill and support of Stevenage Borough Council, Stevenage Leisure Ltd and the staff of the swimming pool.
The club meets every Sunday at Stevenage Swimming Pool on St Georges Way at 4pm until 5.15pm, when members are welcome to swim, have a splash about in the water and have a catch up with their friends, all with the support of the club volunteers that are on hand every session. The pool is equipped with a chair lift to help those with a physical disability gain access to the pool.
In past years the club has been involved in competitive swimming galas and whilst many of these have been on hold during the pandemic, they are hoping to get back into entering a team in these events sometime soon.
New members are always welcome to join the club as long as they meet the criteria for membership.
Details can be found at www.stevenage-dolphins.org or via their Facebook page, or by emailing membership@stevenage-dolphins.org.
