Closure Of Queens Award Charity

Published on: 29 Jun, 2017
Updated on: 30 Jun, 2017

By Jan Todd

After 14 years of providing hydrotherapy swim sessions and outreach support to help local people with physical disabilities, the Trustees and Management Committee of Surrey Dolphins Swimobility has taken the tough decision to close the Charity.

Surrey Dolphins Swimobility is set to close on July 18.

Surrey Dolphins Swimobility was formed in 2002. In 2015 the Countess of Wessex presented the charity with the Queens Award for Voluntary Service.

The aim of the charity was to provide residents of Surrey who have restricted mobility and sensory impairments with the opportunity to swim and exercise in a safe and friendly environment, assisted by physiotherapists and qualified swimming instructors.

Surrey Dolphins’ volunteers also arranged social events throughout the year, including day trips, garden parties and visits to the theatre and pantomime.

Swim members included amputees, stroke victims, patients of hip or knee replacement operations, or had other physical disabilities such as sight impairment, MS, Parkinsons or arthritis. They ranged in age from 18 to 86. For some, the swimming pool was the only environment in which total independence and freedom could be achieved.

However the current financial climate, along with cuts to their grant, have severely hampered the charity’s ability to offer this high quality support.

Due to diminishing staff resources they are unable to fundraise or continue to administer their day to day operations and it is no longer financially viable for them to continue.

An event to thank clients, carers and volunteers will be arranged.

In a statement the charity said: “Surrey Dolphins Swimobility will try and provide clients with other alternatives as far as it is possible, after its closure on Tuesday, 18 July.

“We would like to thank all those who have supported us and worked with us to deliver this essential hydrotherapy service to hundreds of clients over the years. An event to thank our clients, carers and volunteers will take place this month.”