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, this toolkit provides practical guidance to help organisations establish and sustain welcoming, inclusive women-only swimming sessions.
Women’s Swimming: A Toolkit for Leisure Providers, Community Groups & Funders
It draws on the experiences of organisations already delivering successful women-only swimming opportunities, bringing together their knowledge, learning and practical recommendations to support others looking to develop similar provision.
What’s included in the toolkit?
The toolkit is structured around four key principles for creating successful women-only swimming sessions:
- Inclusive: Identifying and addressing barriers to participation, including cost, privacy, childcare and session timing.
- Welcoming: Creating positive experiences and building trust through community engagement and supportive environments.
- Reassuring: Helping women feel comfortable and confident through clear policies, appropriate facilities and accessible support.
- Representative: Ensuring communications and the workforce reflect the communities being supported.
Each principle includes practical actions and considerations to help organisations plan, deliver and improve their swimming provision.
Who is the toolkit for?
The toolkit is designed for leisure operators, local authorities, community organisations and funders who want to make swimming more accessible to women and girls.
Whether you’re looking to introduce women-only swimming sessions, improve existing provision or support community-led initiatives, the toolkit offers practical guidance to help you get started.
Download the toolkit
The toolkit is free to access and share. We encourage organisations to use the guidance, adapt it to their local context and share it with others who could benefit.
For further information, to share feedback or to discuss how you might use the toolkit, please contact [email protected].
*The Easy Read version uses easier words and supporting pictures. You might find it easier to understand than the main version.