Latest news with #WestLothianLeisure
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
19-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Record
Youngsters and grown-ups in West Lothian break new ground with family fitness event
Ten-year-old Harris Wernham developed the idea of classes based on his own passion for sports and training Primary school-aged children teamed up with grown-ups as families were put through their paces at a first of its kind event at Xcite in Bathgate. Xcite Mini Rocks, Scotland's first ever family functional fitness event, was launched at the West Lothian Leisure venue on Sunday, May 18. Designed specifically for children aged eight to 11 years old accompanied by adults, Xcite Mini Rocks broke new ground in the Scottish fitness scene by putting families through their paces across eight interactive fitness stations. Challenges including the Weighted Ball Thruster, Slam Balls, Rowing Machine, Ski Machine and Shuttle Run were crafted to test strength, stamina, and teamwork, and proved that fitness really is more fun together. Aimed at helping families to keep fit and have fun together, the event was designed as a challenge and celebration for all the families that take part in Family Fitness classes at West Lothian Leisure, an idea that came from a 10-year-old member of West Lothian Leisure. Harris Wernham developed the idea of Family Fitness classes based on his own passion for sports and training with his family. Encouraged by his mum Karen, who works for Xcite, he envisioned classes that would bring parents and children together for fun, engaging and dynamic workouts. Harris was awarded West Lothian Leisure's Young Person Rising Star Award in March as a result of his innovative thinking, and his enthusiasm for empowering families to get active side by side. This new move by West Lothian Leisure marks an increased enthusiasm for keeping fit from young people, with the leisure trust receiving a 52 per cent uplift in the number of teen gym sessions in 2023/24 since the introduction of another pioneering initiative, the Fitness Factory, a structured programme designed to introduce 12 to 15-year-olds to a gym environment safely and effectively. Lorraine Pollock, Sports Development Manager at West Lothian Leisure, said: 'Xcite Mini Rocks is the first event of its kind to take place anywhere in Scotland. It's bold, it's family-focused, and it represents exactly what we stand for, bringing people together through health, movement and fun. "Harris approached us with a vision, to create fitness experiences that kids and parents could do together. His creativity, passion and community spirit made this event and many other family fitness classes possible.' With over 50 participants, the success of Xcite Mini Rocks, which took place at the end of Mental Health Awareness week, signals a major step forward for community-led, inclusive fitness experiences. Keeping the event accessible was a key goal, with tickets kept at an affordable price, made possible by the generous sponsorship of Workflo Solutions, Regal Radio, RWD Joiner and Builder, Technogym, Ben Building Services, Smile Counselling, Livingston FC, and Lothian Country. Lorraine added: 'This is what social impact looks like in real time. Families came together, kids got inspired, and our whole community showed what can happen when we think differently about fitness.'
