Latest NewsYou can keep up to date with everything related to Wyndley Leisure Centre and Birmingham Community Leisure Trust on our Facebook page. If you're not a Facebook user, we'll also summarise all of the key things happening below... News Updates: January 2020 Diving returns to Wyndley Leisure Centre 
Following two successful Open Days held recently at the centre, it’s now official, the sport of diving is back at Wyndley after an absence of over 15 years. Wyndley Leisure Centre, which is operated by Birmingham Community Leisure Trust (BCLT) and Serco Leisure on behalf of Birmingham City Council, invited former top GB diver, Sarah Barrow to the Open Days, where she provided tips to the kids attending, and to the newly-qualified team of coaches. Sarah, who is now a Diving Development Officer for Swim England said: “It’s great to see diving return to this part of Birmingham. This sport is my passion and I want as many people as possible to benefit from it, so I was keen to attend and support Wyndley Leisure Centre’s Open Days.” Cllr Paulette Hamilton, cabinet member for health and social care at Birmingham City Council, said: “This is great news for locals and people across the city who either want to get into diving for the first time or practice their skills. With the Commonwealth Games on the horizon, and diving featuring at the new Sandwell Aquatics Centre, this is a perfect time to encourage kids to learn all about the sport and cheer on Team GB’s diving squad in 2022.” Andy Taylor, BCLT’s Aquatics Manager said: “We were delighted with the response to our diving Open Days. Over six sessions, across two days, we welcomed over 100 local kids, many who were trying the sport for the very first time… and they loved it! “We were very lucky to have former top diver Sarah Barrow in attendance on both days. Sarah kindly spent time with our coaches, giving them expert advice and guidance on this great sport she knows so well. “We’re going to be running regular diving classes for ages 6 and upwards. Looking at the popularity of the Open Days, these sessions look certain to be popular, so we’d recommend parents/guardians get their kids signed up as soon as they can!” BCLT operates nine facilities across the region on behalf of Birmingham City Council, with the newest being Ladywood Leisure Centre, which opened in 2019 and boasts a 130-station gym, swimming pool, workout studio, plus sauna and steam rooms. For more information about the diving sessions, just hit the link! https://www.birminghamleisure.com/wyndley_lc/swimming-lessons-diving November 2019 Wyndley swimmer uses her noodle to save 83-year old woman’s life
One of our swimmers, Elaine Makinson (66) has been featured in the Sutton Observer, following an amazing, heroic rescue she performed while on holiday in Gambia. The story is even more noteworthy though, as Elaine had only learnt to swim herself 18 months ago! While on holiday, Elaine and her partner, Andrew, were relaxing by the pool when a lady asked if she could borrow her foam noodle to use in the water (Elaine had taken her own noodle on holiday with her). The next thing she heard was screaming for help; the woman was in the middle of the deep end and struggling to stay a float. Instinctively Elaine rushed into the pool to help, she managed to manoeuvre the noodle under the lady to help her stay above the water. Her partner followed closely behind and assisted. What is perhaps even more remarkable about this story is that Elaine has only recently overcome her own swimming fears. A year and a half ago she nervously enrolled in swimming lessons – she swam some as a child but had lost all confidence in the water. Since starting weekly swimming lessons with her swimming teacher Gill Rhodes and hasn’t looked back. Her confidence has grown and she’s made new friends along the way.
Wyndley Swimming Coordinator, Helen Russel-Cartwright, said: “Stories like this make my job worthwhile – and I couldn’t be prouder of Elaine and Gill. Being able to swim in a life skill that can impact upon people in the most dramatic way. To me it’s as important as being able to read or write.”
She continued: “Not only can it save lives but can enrich them too – opening up a whole new world in the water from exercising to music to snorkelling and scuba diving. I hope that Elaine’s story will inspire others to learn to swim too. We have a dedicated team of instructors here at Wyndley and it really never is too late to start lessons”. (Quotes from Sutton Observer press release) Adult swimming lessons are available at all 9 Birmingham Community Leisure Trust centres across the city. Please contact the centres directly or email helen.cartwright@serco.com
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