Unicorn Pool Wet Room Facilities

Aim

Join us in creating an inclusive wet room at Unicorn Pool, giving every child the chance to train, race and shine in competitive swimming.

Who are we?

We’re Borocuda (B-TASC), Middlesbrough’s award-winning inclusive swimming club. Based at Unicorn Pool, we’re home to over 100 young swimmers aged 7–16. What makes us special is our para squad, which is the only one of it's kind in Teesside and which allows children with autism, sensory, physical or learning disabilities to train and compete alongside their able bodied teammates. We compliment this by also providing fully funded "Start Para" and Special Olympics sessions for swimmers at the start of their competitive journey. 

We’re a volunteer-led club powered by passionate coaches, supportive families, and a bunch of determined young people who just love swimming fast, making friends, and showing what’s possible when barriers are removed.

Why are we crowdfunding?

Two years ago, thanks to incredible community support and fundraising, we installed a pool hoist at Unicorn Pool. This has already transformed access for disabled swimmers, allowing them to enter and leave the water safely.

But the journey doesn’t begin and end at the poolside. Without a proper accessible wet room, many swimmers and their families still face huge challenges just getting changed with dignity and comfort. At the moment, what should be an exciting trip to the pool can feel stressful and complicated.

The wet room is the missing piece. By creating a fully accessible changing space, we’ll complete the end-to-end journey – from changing, to entering the pool, to competing alongside teammates – in a way that’s simple, safe, and dignified for every child.

Sport England have awarded us £6,500 towards this project, but to unlock that funding we need to raise the same amount ourselves. That’s why we’re crowdfunding – and why your support is so vital.

“A large accessible changing room is the difference between my daughter being able to do what all her friends can do at B-TASC or not. Our daughter can’t walk and it’s unlikely she ever will, but boy can she swim. She has a beautiful freedom in the water that she doesn’t experience anywhere else in life. Funding for such a room would not only mean she can swim with her peers but will also give her comfort and dignity” – [Parent of a para swimmer]

How we’ll spend the money raised

Every penny will go directly towards the wet room project. Here’s the breakdown:

• Specialist fixtures and fittings (accessible shower, grab rails, hoist integration)
• Plumbing, drainage, and safe flooring
• Installation and building works
• Accessibility design and finishing touches (privacy screens, seating, signage)

Combined with Sport England’s support, this will cover the full cost and give our swimmers the facilities they deserve.

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Community impact

This isn’t just about building a wet room – it’s about changing lives. An inclusive wet room means:

• 16+ para swimmers can train and compete with dignity and confidence
• 730+ children every year will benefit through school outreach, taster sessions, and community galas
• Families who often feel excluded will find a place where they are welcomed and supported
• Teesside gains a regional hub for inclusive competitive swimming, putting our community on the map

Sport isn’t just about medals. It’s about health, happiness, and belonging – and with your help, no child will be left poolside because of poor facilities.

Planned Events

We've got loads of events planned over the next few months to allow us to raise as much money as possible. Look out for more details around the pool, but expect to see:

• 18th October - Race Night (tickets available in the office)
• 8th November - "Borocuda After Dark" Glow Stick Pool Party (tickets availbale on the rewards section of this page. Be quick they're limited!
• 5th December - Play Factory Christmas Social
• Charity Raffle - tickets, vouchers and other prizes to be won!
• Sponsored Swims or other activities - join our campaign as a fundraiser with your own page, maybe a sponsored swim or similar, this could be how far you can swim in an hour, a week, or even a month! 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.

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. Please don’t wait – early support helps us build momentum and inspires others to join in. 

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!

Together we can make a splash for inclusion and ensure every child has the chance to dive into swimming, compete with pride, and feel part of something special.

Funding method

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