The future of inclusive disability swimming club Pisces’ therapy sessions has been secured for a further year after the Manx-registered charity received a Recognition award from Celton Manx.

Held in the Glencrutchery pool in Douglas Pisces’ twice-monthly water activities are designed to benefit those living with a range of disabilities, in particular individuals with limited mobility.

Club secretary Barry Dulson said: ‘Receiving this award has been fantastic. It’s meant that we’ve not only been able to pay for the pool hire and insurance for a full 12 months, but can also buy some vital aids, such as foam woggles for supporting clients in the water and splash vests for our helpers. The award even helped to fund a summer event, a trip on the steam railway.

‘Our clients really enjoy the sessions; they’re not only liberating but also provide an opportunity to socialise and help individuals to grow in confidence. There’s also been a boost in numbers with some younger men and women joining, which has brought a new and energising dynamic to the sessions. We charge only a very modest annual subscription – just ?5 – so this Recognition award has made a huge difference. We are enormously grateful to Celton Manx for their support.’

Celton Manx executive director Bill Mummery said: ‘The therapeutic water activity sessions delivered by the Pisces volunteer team is helping to give people living with disabilities a new-found freedom, which is both life-enhancing and transformational. It is also heartening to  learn that, such is the confidence-boosting effect the sessions can have, some clients have been inspired to represent the Isle of Man in the Special Olympics Games.

‘In addition, like many third-sector organisations helping to support the vulnerable and most in need, Pisces is faced with challenges caused by an increasingly challenging funding environment.

‘It is for these reasons that we have been pleased to acknowledge the motivational work of Pisces with a Recognition award.’
Recognition is the corporate social responsibility programme of Celton Manx that aims to give heightened visibility to local charities and not-for-profit organisations, in particular those with limited resources for promoting and developing their services.

In 2017 Celton Manx made 27 Recognition awards.

Photo - Pisces swimming club clients and helpers.