Thousands take plunge and learn how to swim

Life-changing opportunity Nearly 5000 people in North Lanarkshire are involved

- IAN BUNTING

Nearly 5000 people across North Lanarkshire have taken the life-changing opportunity to learn to swim, thanks to a pioneering national programme making waves in water safety and inclusion.

The Learn to Swim National Framework, a partnership between Scottish Swimming and Scottish Water, has now supported 210,337 children and adults in Scotland to be safer in, on and around water over the past seven years.

Every week, 83,777 kids and adults take part in Learn to Swim lessons in Scotland a two per cent increase on last year’s total and including 4719 people in North Lanarkshire.

The programme is delivered by 38 leisure trusts and aquatic providers in 167 pools, with eight in North Lanarkshire.