Save The Flamingo Community Hydrotherapy Pool!

Aim

To replace the floor and walls of our unique and extremely loved Hydrotherapy pool, keeping all of our lovely community swimming and healthy

Who are we?

The Flamingo Community Pool has been operating and providing services to Axminster and the local surrounding areas for 26 years. Our facility welcomes over 40,000 visitors a year and we are set up to accommodate all ages and all abilities with both of our pools having the equipment to facilitate less able users, both in and out of the pool and changing areas. We have a 25 metre pool and a unique Hydrotherapy pool which is the only facility of its kind available to the public within a 27 mile radius. The Hydrotherapy pool water sits at 34 degrees which reduces muscle tension, inflammation and boosts the immune system, this highlights how important it is to be accessible for all abilities and The Flamingo Community Pool facilitates this. We quite simply support everyone that walks through our door, highlighting the benefits swimming can have on an individual’s physical, mental and social wellbeing.

History

In the late 80’s, the residents of Axminster decided that they wanted a swimming pool for their town and this was where our story started. After the East Devon County Council rejected the opportunity to own another swimming pool in their district, they offered to fund some money towards the construction, however no responsibility of ownership. This meant that over the next 10 years we saw the community rally together to fundraise money themselves and apply for some lottery funding to make their dreams of having a swimming pool in Axminster come true. In 1996, Sport England accepted the application and through the National Lottery we were awarded £1.2m with East Devon granting us £500,000 and £300,000 was raised through the community’s fundraising efforts. On September 12th 1998, The Flamingo Community Pool opened to the public for the very first time and has stood a proud asset in our community ever since. We are a self-funding community charity that for 26 years has only made a profit in one financial year. For those 26 years, funding for equipment and capital projects has had to have come from fundraising and grants as without this financial support, the drain on our working capital would be crippling and we would not be able to provide this community with our facility that is accessible for all needs. We are proud of what we have built but now we need your help to keep it going.

Community Impact 

The heart of our community, our Hydrotherapy Pool isn’t just about relaxation, it helps people:

• Recover from injury and surgery - on their long road to recovery, regaining movement and independence.
• Manage pain from arthritis or long term conditions - who rely on our pool to manage symptoms and stay active.
• Improve mobility, strength and mental health – the local NHS and physiotherapists refer patients and clients to our GP Referral Scheme which allows them to access therapy in a low impact inclusive way, where land based movements can be too difficult.
• Local support and special needs groups - who count on our hydrotherapy pool for therapeutic programmes.
• Learn to swim – teach thousands of young children this vital life skill and introduce babies to swimming early on to build confidence in the water.

We have seen lives change within these walls, people walking again, smiling again and connecting with others who understand their struggles. The Hydrotherapy Pool is a place where health meets humanity and where inclusion thrives. By supporting this campaign, you are not just funding a renovation, you are protecting a safe, healing and welcoming space for everyone – now and for the future.

What are we asking for? 

Our hydrotherapy pool needs you!

After 26 years of service its time for a vital upgrade. For more than 26 years the flamingo hydrotherapy pool has been a lifeline for thousands of residents, especially those with physical disabilities, chronic pain and rehabilitation needs. Our hydrotherapy pool is not just a feature, it is a critical community resource but after nearly three decades of constant use, the floor and walls have never been replaced and now they urgently need it. 

We are asking for critical funds to carry out essential maintenance and completely replace the floor and wall tiles of the pool as they are cracked and worn due to our age and nature of the environment. These aging materials are putting both the safety and functionality of the pool at risk – that’s where you come in. 

What are we going to do with the money?

On June 4th we launched our “sponsor a tile” campaign to run alongside this Crowdfunder in order to be able to reach the total cost of the project. This £10,000 will go towards the total project cost of £30,000 and allow us to:

• Professionally replace and seal the pool floor and walls
• Maintain safe access for people with limited mobility
• Avoid closure due to safety concerns
• Ensure long term water safety and hygiene 

EVERY POUND BRINGS US CLOSER TO PRESERVING THIS SPACE FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS.

How you can play your part

There are four simple ways to help us reach our target, and make this project a reality.

1. Make a pledge. Don’t delay if you’re going to support us because momentum is key to our success!

2. Spread the word. Share our project on your social media pages and tell the world to get behind us! The more people we reach, the more support we will get.

3. Offer rewards. Get involved if you are a local business by donating things we can offer to our supporters. We will give you a shout out!

4. Fundraise for us. If you want to run your own fundraiser – maybe a sponsored activity or similar – use the 'contact project' button at the top of our page to let us know. Setting up your own page only takes a few minutes and you won’t need any bank details. Just a fun idea!

Funding method

Keep what you raise – this project will receive all pledges made