Make a Big Splash for free!

People with disabilities can get a free swim at the launch of Optua's new 'Big Splash' sessions at Crown Pools in Ipswich this Thursday 10th June.

The new sessions are being launched at Crown Pools by the Mayor of Ipswich, Councillor Jane Chambers.

The sessions are taking place thanks to £27,000 funding from Suffolk County Council's Activities Unlimited project, which is helping Optua to launch new sessions across the county, as well as develop those already in existence.

Big Splash sessions give people with disabilities the chance to swim or learn to swim at an accessible swimming pool, supported by staff and volunteers. They are open to anyone of any age with a disability, as well as to anyone recovering from an accident or with a long term health condition.

The aim is to make it easier for disabled people to learn to swim, or do it more regularly, and the new sessions are part of Optua's Disability Sport Academy Project, which aims to get more people into disability sport or become more active in the run up to the London 2012 Paralympics.

Anyone coming along to the launch on Thursday at 10:00 can swim for free and refreshments will also be available. The sessions will run every Thursday from 10:00 to 11.30.

This year Optua is also officially launching new sessions at Newmarket, Hadleigh and Felixstowe. Sessions already run in Bury St Edmunds, Stowmarket, Sudbury, Mildenhall, Leiston and Haverhill, with over 4,500 attendances every year.

Activities Unlimited is a Suffolk County Council-run scheme to encourage more young disabled people to take part in leisure and socialactivities.

For more information about the Big Splash sessions contact Louise Pennell at Optua Leisure on 01473 836770.