‘Let’s get kids swimming, wherever they live’: Olympic champion Tom Dean MBE partners with The Royal Foundation to enable hundreds of children to learn to swim

Over 200 children are already benefitting from learn-to-swim packages in underserved areas as part of a partnership between The Royal Foundation of The Prince and Princess of Wales and Olympic gold medallist Tom Dean MBE’s swim school, with more due to be rolled out across the year in pools across the UK.

Through the partnership, 1,000 young people who would not otherwise have access to swimming lessons will receive a package of 10 – 12 sessions each. This will help to break down the barriers that prevent them from gaining swimming as a life skill. The Tom Dean Swim School, alongside personally selected certified instructors from independent swim schools across the country, will deliver the packages, which focus on the fundamentals of learning to swim and being safe in the water. They will be provided in towns and cities across the country, from Birtley to Devon, Hull and Birmingham, with more lessons to be delivered throughout the school year.

Tragically, child drowning deaths in the UK more than doubled from 20 in 2019/20 to 41 in 2022/23i. Although swimming is a vital life skill and the only sport that can save lives, almost one in three children in the UK currently leave primary education unable to swim, according to a report from Swim England in May 2021ii.

Ensuring access to community pools offer children more than just a place to swim – they provide an opportunity to learn life-saving skills, stay active and connect with others in a safe, supportive setting. These resources are especially vital in underserved areas. This work is part of The Royal Foundation’s ongoing Community Impact programme which seeks to mobilise unique coalitions to support and develop local community spaces where people come together to create opportunities and improve access to activities.

This partnership builds on the achievements of the community in Birtley, Tyne and Wear, who last year reopened the Birtley Community Pool with support from The Royal Foundation. They also received support from The Tom Dean Swim School senior management who have offered regular consultation and strategic guidance. Since then, the pool – which is led by volunteers and a team of staff as a not-for-profit enterprise – has had over 88,000 visits by adults and children to swim.

Tom Dean MBE, three-time Olympic swimming gold medallist, said:

“Every child should have the opportunity to learn to swim and understand water safety. Swimming is a vital life skill that builds resilience, fosters social connection and keeps young people safe when they are in and around water.

“This partnership with The Royal Foundation is supporting so many young people, up and down the UK, to find a pool near to them and dive in. Let’s get kids swimming, wherever they live.”

Melanie Waters OBE, Executive Director of The Royal Foundation, said:

“Over the last year, I’ve been inspired by how much the community has achieved in Birtley, reopening their pool and encouraging so many people to come and swim there.

“This new partnership between The Royal Foundation and the Tom Dean MBE Swim School is an important next step, as we encourage everyone – parents, teachers and children – to see the benefits of learning to swim. Huge thanks to Tom Dean, and everyone at the Tom Dean Swim School, for working with us to bring this project to life.”