Latest news with #ScottishWater
Daily Record
11 hours ago
- Sport
- Daily Record
Superheroes from West Lothian stay safe around water thanks to innovative education approach
The campaign is rooted in the Learn to Swim national framework. Swimming lessons are being transformed into water safety workshops for superheroes in a bold and innovative approach by West Lothian Leisure. Vital water safety education is being imbedded across all its sporting disciplines – inspired and led by the Learn to Swim programme. The campaign is rooted in the Learn to Swim national framework, a partnership between Scottish Swimming and Scottish Water. West Lothian Leisure is now taking the core principles of Learn to Swim even further during Drowning Prevention Week. Instead of regular practice, swimming lessons across the trust are being transformed into water safety workshops and uniquely, coaches from gymnastics, football, badminton and golf are also delivering water safety messages through fun, creative activities. At the heart of the initiative is the 'Superheroes – Call 999!' theme, where children dress as their favourite superheroes while learning the Water Safety Code. The campaign spans all ages, from baby and adult swimming classes to sports sessions for young people, ensuring more families across West Lothian receive life-saving knowledge. To ensure maximum impact, West Lothian Leisure coaches underwent targeted training and held a dedicated focus cay. Throughout Drowning Prevention Week, water safety was reinforced through interactive learning, games, and competitions at venues across the region. The National Water Safety Forum reported that tragically in 2024 there were 33 accidental drownings in Scotland, highlighting the critical importance of water safety education heading into summer. Lorraine Pollock, sports development manager at West Lothian Leisure, said: 'This initiative is powered by our participation in the Learn to Swim programme. Drowning Prevention Week is the perfect moment to showcase how water safety can reach far beyond swimming lessons. 'We've made it our mission to get every child – whether they're in the pool, on the football pitch or in the gym – engaging with water safety in a way that's fun, memorable, and potentially life-saving. "Through our 'Superheroes – Call 999!' theme, we're making safety relatable for families across West Lothian.' West Lothian Leisure is one of 38 delivery partners of the Learn to Swim programme, a Scotland-wide initiative that equips children with skills for life – both in and around the water. John Lunn, CEO of Scottish Swimming, said: 'This is a fantastic example of the Learn to Swim ethos in action. West Lothian Leisure's all-sport approach demonstrates innovative thinking and shows how the programme can be adapted to reach even more families and communities with crucial water safety messages.' Peter Farrer, chief operating officer at Scottish Water, added: 'We cannot over-emphasise the importance of water safety all year round, but it's particularly relevant over summer months when people are often more likely to be around water. 'So, it's great that Xcite are rolling their water safety sessions out beyond swim lessons and will reach even more people with the vital knowledge and skills to help them feel safer in, on and around water.' Drowning Prevention Week, organised by the Royal Life Saving Society (RLSS), is one of the largest water safety campaigns in the UK and Ireland. It aims to equip everyone with the skills and knowledge to stay safe around water. The Learn to Swim National Framework helps more than 82,000 children build confidence and skills in the water every week across 167 pools in Scotland.
Daily Record
3 days ago
- General
- Daily Record
Ayrshire swimmers set to learn vital water safety skills as part of Drowning Prevention Week
Swimming pools across the country are adapting their lessons into workshops on water safety Over 2000 youngsters in North Ayrshire are set to learn vital water safety skills as part of Drowning Prevention Week. Learn to Swim lessons at KA Leisure facilities are teaching children how to be safer in and around water during June as part of a Scotland-wide campaign. Swimming pools across the country are adapting and transforming their regular swimming lessons into workshops which will focus specifically on water safety knowledge and skills. Swimmers will learn the crucial Water Safety Code as well as basic floating techniques which can make a massive difference when someone feels in danger in the water and that could help save their lives or someone else's. The special lessons come as latest figures reveal the ongoing risks around Scotland's waters with the National Water Safety Forum reporting that tragically in 2024 there were 33 accidental drownings in Scotland. Drowning prevention is one of the main objectives for the Learn to Swim National Framework and in June each year the programme does a major water safety push to coincide with Drowning Prevention Week, where youngsters take part in a bespoke water safety swim lesson delivered by the leisure trusts and aquatic providers. John Lunn, CEO of Scottish Swimming, said: 'Every June, our Learn to Swim classes shift focus to concentrate on water safety. 'It's not just about being a strong swimmer- understanding how to recognise hazards, help others in distress and make smart decisions around water is equally important.' Peter Farrer, Chief Operating Officer at Scottish Water, added: ''We cannot over-emphasise the importance of water safety all year round, but it's particularly relevant as we approach summer when people are often more likely to be around water. 'These water safety lessons provide an opportunity to equip people with the vital knowledge and skills to help them feel safer in, on and around water, and help their parents and family network feel confident and comfortable in their swimming abilities.' Drowning Prevention Week, organised by the Royal Life Saving Society (RLSS), stands as one of the largest water safety campaigns in the UK and Ireland. here.
The Herald Scotland
4 days ago
- Health
- The Herald Scotland
Swimming can change your life. It's never too late to learn
Tragically, in 2024 alone, the National Water Safety Forum reported that there were 33 accidental drownings in Scotland. That equates to almost six fatal drownings per one million people, nearly twice the rate seen across the rest of the UK. Most of those who lost their lives were male, with the highest proportion aged 20 to 29 years old. Many of these incidents occurred during recreational and everyday activities, particularly in coastal waters. A flaw many of us share is the belief that tragedy won't touch us, that the heart-breaking stories we read in the news happen to other people, not to us or those we care about. The truth is, any body of water can be dangerous without swimming experience, even more so if those around you aren't able to help. We often tell ourselves it's too late to learn something new, but when it comes to swimming, that simply isn't true. I've seen people in their seventies not just learn to swim but make it part of their weekly routine. Taking the first step can be daunting, but it's never too late to learn. That's the message behind our Never Too Late campaign, encouraging adults of all ages to challenge the myth that swimming is only for the young. Through Learn to Swim, over 1,800 adults of all ages now take part in sessions, joining around 82,000 youngsters learning each week in 167 local pools across the country, with countless inspiring stories emerging as a result. Now to be honest, you won't feel confident at first - but that's exactly how learning begins. What matters is taking action, because if you don't, nothing will change. That's where Learn to Swim comes in, a national partnership between Scottish Water and Scottish Swimming, providing the opportunity for people of all ages and abilities across Scotland to learn to swim in supportive and inclusive environments, and access to gain vital basic water safety knowledge and skills to become confident, safer and competent swimmers who also experience wider health and social benefits swimming offers. One memorable story of someone benefiting hugely from these lessons was 80-year-old Gloria Mitchell from Kirriemuir, who overcame her lifelong fear of water through the Learn to Swim lessons. A frightening experience in deep water had left Gloria fearful of swimming. But by taking part in Learn to Swim lessons at ANGUSalive's Webster's Sports Centre in Kirriemuir, she finally found the confidence to get back in the water just in time for a holiday to Turkey with her friends. If you're thinking about learning to swim, it's never too late. Sophie McCall is Director of Aquatics Development at Scottish Swimming and maybe one day your story could inspire others too. Agenda is a column for outside contributors. Contact: agenda@
Daily Record
5 days ago
- General
- Daily Record
Learn to Swim lessons in Lanarkshire teaching kids how to be safer in and around water
Swimmers are set to learn the crucial Water Safety Code as well as basic floating techniques which can make a massive difference when someone feels in danger in the water and that could help save their lives or someone else's. Learn to Swim lessons in Lanarkshire are teaching children how to be safer in and around water during this month to mark Drowning Prevention Week as part of a Scotland-wide campaign. From Shetland to the Borders, swimming pools are adapting and transforming their regular swimming lessons into workshops which will focus specifically on water safety knowledge and skills. Swimmers are set to learn the crucial Water Safety Code as well as basic floating techniques which can make a massive difference when someone feels in danger in the water and that could help save their lives or someone else's. The special lessons come as latest figures reveal the ongoing risks around Scotland's waters, the National Water Safety Forum reported that tragically in 2024 there were 33 accidental drownings in Scotland. Drowning prevention is one of the main objectives for the Learn to Swim National Framework and in June each year the programme does a major water safety push to coincide with Drowning Prevention Week, where youngsters take part in a bespoke water safety swim lesson delivered by the leisure trusts and aquatic providers. John Lunn, CEO of Scottish Swimming, said: 'Every June, our Learn to Swim classes shift focus to concentrate on water safety. 'It's not just about being a strong swimmer- understanding how to recognise hazards, help others in distress and make smart decisions around water is equally important.' Peter Farrer, Chief Operating Officer at Scottish Water, added: ''We cannot over-emphasise the importance of water safety all year round, but it's particularly relevant as we approach summer when people are often more likely to be around water. 'These water safety lessons provide an opportunity to equip people with the vital knowledge and skills to help them feel safer in, on and around water, and help their parents and family network feel confident and comfortable in their swimming abilities.' The Learn to Swim National Framework is delivered by 38 leisure trusts and aquatic providers in 167 pools from Shetland to the Borders with the vision of creating 'Generation Swim', a generation of children who are confident, safer and competent swimmers, who will also get to experience the wider health and social benefits that swimming can offer. The programme currently reaches around 82,000 children across Scotland who will have access to a new interactive water safety quiz that has been developed to improve water safety knowledge this year. Drowning Prevention Week, organised by the Royal Life Saving Society (RLSS), stands as one of the largest water safety campaigns in the UK and Ireland.
Scotsman
7 days ago
- Business
- Scotsman
Why is my water bill so expensive?
Eye-watering bills for the coming year have Martyn James looking at ways to cut your water costs Sign up to the weekly Cost Of Living newsletter. Saving tips, deals and money hacks. Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... I may be a consumer rights campaigner, but even I took a sharp intake of breath when I saw my water bill for 2025/26 – and I was already aware that my payments were going up by £26 a month, a 31 per cent increase. My postbag is full of correspondence from readers who are worried about being able to afford this most essential of bills. While you can't ditch your water company without moving out of the area, there are a few ways you can reduce costs if you are struggling. Here's my guide. Don't let money flow down the drain, take more control of your water bill (Picture: Adobe) Why are water bills going up? Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Bills in Scotland are up just under 10 per cent, though according to Scottish Water, over half of all households receive some degree of financial help with their bills already. In England and Wales, water bills have gone up on average £123 a year. That's an increase of 26 per cent. In Northern Ireland, domestic customers do not pay water rates. Water bills are going up because of years of underinvestment by the industry, including the failure to build new reservoirs since privatisation, aging sewage infrastructure and a changing climate. However, there are currently a number of schemes underway to improve water and sewage infrastructure. Scottish Water has an 'in your area' map on the website. Keep an eye on what's going on. Here are some options to cut your bills. Smart water meters Having a smart water meter installed could save you some money, but don't rush to get one unless you're sure you'll save cash. Unlike in England and Wales, there's a charge to have a smart water meter fitted in Scotland. So I'd encourage you to run a few checks before you go ahead and request one be installed. You can get started on the 'saving water' page of the water company's website. Cut your water consumption Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Cutting back on your water use will save you money, but it's not that easy. The Energy Saving Trust has some great tips for cutting your water use on their website. For example, washing machines and dishwashers use a lot of water, so why not try the 'eco' mode to cut costs? Financial difficulties If you qualify for certain benefits or have a low income you can get potentially discounts on your water bill – even if you have a smart meter. Speak to the water company and give them some details about the money you have coming in and your financial commitments. The company must come up with realistic payment plans to reflect your circumstances. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad There are also a range of useful schemes available to help you reduce or pay your bills. Have a look online – you may qualify for a grant from a charitable organisation. Take some time to find out more about all the reductions you might be entitled to. For example, if your home is connected to the public water supply (and you don't have a water meter), you'll pay for your water with your council tax. This means you could get Council Tax Reduction (CTR) of up to 35 per cent on the water and sewerage charges on your council tax bill, if you already pay reduced council tax. Compensation for poor service You are entitled to compensation if your water supply is interrupted – and the government wants to increase the amounts you receive too. Currently, water companies must ensure that water pressure is appropriate, appointments to fix problems are kept and supply interruptions are dealt with. Don't assume you'll get that compensation automatically, though! Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Scottish Water has a consumer charter that lists the compensation payable under a range of circumstances. Complaints If you've made a complaint to your water company but you aren't happy with the response, you can contact the free and independent Scottish Public Services Ombudsman (SPSO) about your complaint.
