Swim England and a collaboration of leisure partners, including BH Live, have launched a national campaign to raise awareness on the benefits of swimming for children’s wellbeing.

New research from Swim England’s #LoveSwimming campaign has shown that swimming lessons are doing far more than teaching children a life-saving skill, with the latest Wave 16 campaign encouraging more children to start lessons at the earliest possible age.

The latest data shows that swimming lessons are giving children the confidence, focus and resilience they need to manage the challenges of school life in the classroom and beyond. Parents said that their child’s health and fitness improved after starting swimming lessons, and that they noticed an increase in self-esteem.

84% of parents reported their child’s mood improved following a lesson, highlighting how swimming can help children to feel calmer, happier, and more robust when confronting everyday challenges.

Leon Taylor understands these benefits both as a parent and as a former competitive diver, winning silver at the Athens Olympic Games. Leon said:

“We all know the start of a new school year can feel overwhelming for children, whether it’s their very first day or just moving up a year – I’ve seen it first-hand with my five-year-old son, Ziggy.

“Ziggy attends swimming lessons regularly and we also swim together just for fun – it’s incredible to see how much confidence and calm he gains from being in the water. Those are just some of the qualities he’s gained from swimming, and he carries them into everything else he does.

“Parents are seeing it clearly - lessons improve confidence, lift moods and even help reduce anxiety. Swimming lessons are much more about learning to swim; they teach children how to thrive.”

8 in 10 working parents believe swimming lessons have helped reduce their child’s stress or anxiety, underlining the role lessons can play in supporting children’s emotional wellbeing.

These benefits are not only felt at home but also carried into the classroom, with nearly 8 in 10 parents saying swimming lessons improved their child’s concentration and attention span. With lessons structured around listening, following instructions and practising skills, swimming is seen as supporting wider learning.

Additionally, nearly three-quarters of parents believe swimming lessons have supported their child in school, helping children to be more engaged, motivated and ready to learn.

Alex Barrett, Swim England’s Senior Technical Aquatics Manager, added:

“Swimming teachers see it every day - children leave the pool happier, more focused and ready to take on challenges.

“What is striking in this research is how consistently parents connect swimming with improvements in their child’s wellbeing, from confidence and resilience to concentration and learning.

“Swimming lessons play a vital role not just in keeping children safe, but in supporting their development and their success at school.

“That is why Swim England believes every child should have the opportunity to start lessons from the earliest age.”

This research highlights how swimming providers are positively impacting children’s development through their swimming lesson provision.

BH Live, a registered charity and leading operator of leisure centres across Bournemouth Portsmouth, and Southampton is one such ‘Learn to Swim’ provider, teaching thousands of young people to swim every week.

By providing an opportunity to learn this essential, life-saving skill, BH Live is helping to make an impact across local communities alongside the South Coast by inspiring more young people to stay active and safe in the water through lessons, low-cost schemes, and regular public swim sessions.

In Bournemouth and Southampton, young people aged under 5 can enjoy free swimming when accompanied by a fully paying adult at BH Live Active centres. In Portsmouth under 12s can enjoy free swimming when accompanied by a fully paying adult at BH Live Active centres.

On behalf of BH Live, Bobby Cole, Group Swim & Junior Activities Manager, shared;

“At BH Live, we see every day how swimming lessons give children so much more than the ability to swim. From the smile on their faces after a lesson to the confidence and focus they take with them into school and everyday life, the benefits are clear. We’re proud to be part of this campaign with Swim England. We’re committed to continuing to give thousands of children across our communities the opportunity to learn a life-saving skill that will stay with them for life.”

More information about BH Live’s Swimming Academy can be found online at bhliveactive.org.uk/swimming-academy.