Swim Narberth, a local swimming pool charity, has been lauded for its positive impact on the community and continued growth - which has seen it go from strength to stregth since being hit with the threat of closure some years ago. Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire Senedd Member Sam Kurtz has sung the praises of those behind the running of the pool located at the town’s Old School Estate, on Station Road, and also highlighted the work done at the facility to Welsh Parliament. “Visiting the brilliant team at Swim Narberth. This charity has been running for over a decade and sees school children, adults and the wider community coming together to use the fantastic pool facilities,” shared Mr Kurtz. Swim Narberth is a Registered Charity, providing Narberth and its surrounding areas with a swimming pool and facilities, that is managed by a team of experienced and passionate locals, highly qualified in delivering excellence in swimming instruction. Its volunteer Trustees provide the backbone of our organisation. The pool offers an inclusive setting and the team running it go to great lengths to ensure that all facilities, including any upcoming and/or future development of the pool have accessibility at the forefront of planning. Swim Narberth welcomes all residents to participate in this wonderful community space, and to literally 'dive in' and enjoy swimming as an excellent form of exercise, both from a physical and mental health wellbeing perspective. The Board of Trustees, giving freely of their time to undertake extensive fundraising and community communications. Mr Kurtz continued: “It was saved by the dedication of the community when the Council looked to shut it all those years ago, and has gone from strength to strength since. It really does go to show the power of a community when it pulls together. “Huge thanks to chairman Chris and manager Alice for their time. Looking forward to working with them to support this great asset going forward.” Off the back of his visit, he raised in the Senedd the brilliant work they do as a charity, helping people of all ages learn to swim and partnering with local schools across the area. “Yet running a community pool as a charity isn’t always easy, and sometimes the grant funding they need simply isn’t available, or they’re not eligible to apply,” explained Mr Kurtz. “I’m pleased that the Social Justice Minister has promised to look into this, and I also had a productive meeting with the Sports Minister, who is fully aware of the challenges they’re facing. “A big thank you once again to Chris and Alice for the warm welcome, you’re doing amazing work for the community,” he added.
00:00I visited Swim Narbeth, the swimming pool in Narbeth, where I met with Chairman Chris Walters and Manager Alice Brumby-Jones.
00:06Now Swim Narbeth is unique because it's a CIO, it's a charity, and they've successfully operated the pool since it was handed over by the local authority some 10 years ago.
00:16And their commitment has ensured that this much loved community asset continues to serve families, schools and local swimming clubs across the area.
00:24However, unlike the majority of swimming pools across Wales, which are operated by local authorities, community-run facilities such as Narbeth often find themselves at a disadvantage when it comes to accessing grant funding.
00:37Despite delivering the same public benefit and often providing exceptional value for money as well, their independent status, their charitable status, can mean reduced eligibility or increased administrative burdens when applying for funding.
00:50So given the vital role that these facilities play in promoting health, well-being and water safety, hugely important in Pembrokeshire,
00:58I would welcome a statement from the Minister for Culture, Skills and Social Partnership, outlining how the Welsh Government intends to ensure fair access for funding, including grants, for all swimming facilities, regardless of their ownership.
01:10Can I congratulate Swim Narbeth, it sounds a really innovative, really successful CIO, Community Interest Organisation, constitutionally.
01:25And this is something where, I mean, in a way, it crosses over my portfolio in terms of the third sector responsibilities and also the Minister for Culture in terms of his responsibilities for support.
01:40I will talk to him about this, but I would also ask my officials to look at this in terms of access to grant funding.
01:48And I'm sure, you know, they will be aware and have engaged with the Pembrokeshire Association of Ownshire Organisations, as I expect you have, and indeed the local authority.
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