BH Live, a registered charity and social enterprise is leading the way in water wellbeing across Bournemouth and Portsmouth.

Littledown and Pelhams in Bournemouth are operated by BH Live in partnership with BCP Council. Portsmouth’s flagship leisure centre Mountbatten is owned by Portsmouth City Council and operated by BH Live. Each centre has achieved a Swim England Water Wellbeing accreditation for demonstrating their commitment to providing tailored sessions and pool facilities for people living with long-term health conditions.

The Water Wellbeing accreditation is another outcome of BH Live’s ongoing partnership with Swim England, who work together to promote national campaigns and resources to encourage more people to stay active through swimming.

To receive the Water Wellbeing accreditation, BH Live underwent a series of rigorous assessments at each centre. This included employee training and providing customer case studies as evidence of how their pool facilities and classes are benefiting visitors.

BH Live’s exercise referral advisors across Bournemouth & Portsmouth completed an AAHF (Aquatic Activity for Health) qualification to learn more about the types of chronic conditions that impact the lives of many of their members and enable them to deliver water-based referral exercises.

In addition, some of BH Live’s swimming teachers attended training provided by the IOS (Institute of Swimming) to obtain up –to-date knowledge and aquatic adaptations to support swimmers with long-term health conditions.

Since receiving Water Wellbeing accreditation, BH Live has introduced new weekly aqua classes including specialised water rehab and hydro sessions at Pelhams, Littledown, and the Mountbatten Centre. These classes are also included in BH Live Active’s exercise referral scheme, which focuses on prescribing supported exercise sessions and group classes to encourage more individuals with long-term health conditions to stay active.

A 2023 Swim England ‘Value of Swimming’ report found that swimming generated more than £2.4 billion in social value across the UK, reducing pressures on the NHS as well as emergency services by improving physical and mental health and wellbeing, reducing crime and improving social and community development.

On behalf of BH Live, Vivienne Galpin, Health & Wellbeing manager in Bournemouth, shared:

“Swimming is one of the most enjoyable ways we can be active. It’s accessible for all ages, fitness levels and abilities and offers the opportunity to socialise within a safe group setting too. We hope that more people are encouraged to visit their local leisure centre with the knowledge that the activities that BH Live provide are supportive, inclusive, and of a high industry-recogised standard.”

Ali Noyce, Health and Wellbeing Manager at Swim England shared:

“We are delighted to have supported BH Live and congratulate them on achieving Water Wellbeing accreditation. Having completed the Swim England Environmental assessments, it’s been great to see how social barriers have been removed at both strategic and local levels to ensure more people are encouraged to stay active at these centres through swimming.

“The additional training undertaken by the teams at all three pools ensures that those with long-term health conditions feel supported in their endeavours to improve their physical and mental wellbeing. It’s been a pleasure to hear how aquatic activity has made a difference to participants. The range of aquatic classes BH Live offers continues to expand, creating more opportunities for people to enjoy the benefits of staying active in the water.”

Set in 47 acres of parkland Littledown is easily accessible by car, foot, and public transport. As the region’s largest leisure centre, it offers some of the best fitness classes, swimming, sports, and gym facilities in the local area.

There is a 25-metre swimming pool with lane swimming, public swimming sessions and pool-based classes and lessons. There is also a smaller 17-metre teaching pool for little ones and lessons. A spa area is equipped with sauna and steam rooms for relaxation.

Portsmouth's Mountbatten Centre is set in an attractive park adjacent to the city's northern shore. The centre is the city's premier sports facility and has a long reputation for hosting a wide variety of national and international sporting events.

The centre has a 50-metre pool and teaching pool, a large 150-station fitness suite, a health suite. Other facilities on the site include an 8 lane athletics track, cycle track, squash court, dance studios, an all-weather pitch and a number of tennis and netball courts.

Cllr Lee Hunt, Cabinet Member Community Safety, Leisure & Sport at Portsmouth City Council said:

“As a council we work hard to support and encourage healthy lifestyles in all our communities, and consistently promote positive physical health and activity.

"Helping those with long term health conditions is a priority for us. For this reason, I'm delighted to see that the Mountbatten Centre has achieved the Water Wellbeing accreditiation which encourage more people to get into the water and get active."

Visit bhliveactive.org.uk/littledown for further information.