- A new free toolkit gives leisure providers, community groups and funders practical steps to set up and sustain women-only swimming sessions.
- 85% of participants report improvements in mental wellbeing, physical stamina and water confidence within six weeks of joining safe and culturally appropriate sessions.
- London Sport is encouraging operators and councils to use the toolkit’s four principles to open up pool time for more women.
- The toolkit was co-designed with Swim England and grassroots organisations including Cycle Sisters, Karmabank, Step Up 2 Fitness, Midaye and Sport for Confidence.
London Sport has today published Women’s Swimming: A Toolkit for Leisure Providers, Community Groups & Funders, a practical guide shaped by the community organisations that have been running women-only swimming sessions in London for years.
The toolkit builds on a 2023 pilot at Chelsea Sports Centre, which sought to engage women from surrounding communities, including the World’s End Estate. delivered by London Sport with Karmabank, Greenwich Leisure Ltd (GLL), Perry Ellis and the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. More than 45 women took part in free sessions to learn to swim, with modest swimwear provided at no cost thanks to a donation from Perry Ellis.
Built with communities, not just for them
Following the pilot, London Sport worked closely with Cycle Sisters, Karmabank, Step Up 2 Fitness, Midaye and Sport for Confidence to turn their experience into guidance other providers can use. Step Up 2 Fitness alone has helped 250 women and girls learn to swim or build their skills over the past five years.
The demand is there
- 97% of British Muslim women want to be more active, yet 37% are not involved in any sport, with a lack of appropriate women-only environments cited as a key barrier (Muslimah Sports Association).
- 84% of inactive women in midlife want to be more active (Women in Sport).
- Disabled and non-disabled women are less likely than men to have access to activity opportunities, yet they are more likely to want to be active. And nearly two-thirds (62%) of young disabled girls would like to take part more in sport and exercise (Activity Alliance).
Four principles for successful sessions
The toolkit is built around four principles, each with a practical to-do list:
- Inclusive: removing barriers such as cost, privacy, childcare and session timing.
- Welcoming: making every touchpoint positive and working with community champions.
- Reassuring: clear swimwear and equipment policies, safe changing areas and simple ways to raise concerns.
- Representative: materials and a workforce that reflect the women taking part, with routes into lifeguarding and coaching.
Emily Robinson, Chief Executive of London Sport, said:
“Too many women in London want to swim but don’t feel the pool is a place for them. The organisations behind this toolkit have been changing that for years. This toolkit puts their knowledge in the hands of the people who run and fund our pools, and we want operators and councils to use it, test it and tell us what else would help”.
Hasna Kahlalech, Step Up 2 Fitness, said:
“Grassroots organisations like Step Up 2 Fitness are the living evidence of the barriers that prevent women and girls from accessing swimming — and of what becomes possible when those barriers are removed. We see women who once felt excluded from the pool discover confidence, freedom and joy in the water. When communities are listened to, trusted and empowered, women and girls do not simply participate; they learn, achieve and experience the beauty of swimming, sometimes for the very first time. We are proud that our lived experience and grassroots knowledge have helped shape this toolkit, and we hope it inspires more providers to open their doors to women who have been left out for too long.”
Sarah Javaid, Cycle Sisters, said:
“Through our work at Cycle Sisters, we’ve seen how important it is to create opportunities for women to be physically active in environments where they feel comfortable and included. Swimming offers huge benefits for women’s wellbeing, yet opportunities to participate remain limited for many women, including those from Muslim communities. Women-only sessions are an important first step, but ensuring privacy, female lifeguards and welcoming environments is equally important. We’re pleased to have contributed to this toolkit, which offers practical guidance to help leisure providers make swimming more accessible to women.”
The toolkit is free to download. To share feedback or talk to us about using it, email [email protected].
About London Sport
London Sport is a not-for-profit organisation helping all Londoners live longer, healthier and happier lives through being active. Part of a national network, we champion physical activity in London’s most deprived communities, sharing insights, influencing decision makers and allocating funding to effect change.
This toolkit was developed by London Sport, in collaboration with Swim England and grassroots community organisations Cycle Sisters, Karmabank, Step Up 2 Fitness, Midaye and Sport for Confidence, to provide practical guidance to help organisations establish and sustain welcoming, inclusive women-only swimming sessions.
