As part of our ongoing commitment to supporting children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), Rotherham United Community Trust (RUCT), in partnership with Rotherham Parent Carers Forum Short Breaks Provision, recently delivered an Open Water Safety Programme designed to help participants stay safe, build confidence, and develop important life skills.
The programme combined two weeks of interactive learning sessions with a practical visit to Swinton Lock Activity Centre, giving young people the opportunity to explore water safety in a fun, engaging, and accessible way.
A total of 22 children and young people took part in the project, which focused on helping participants understand the risks associated with open water, recognise potential dangers, and learn how to make safe decisions when spending time near canals, rivers, lakes, and other outdoor environments.
During the lead-up to the visit, participants took part in a range of activities including video-based learning, group discussions, creative poster design, and role-play scenarios. These sessions were adapted to meet a variety of communication and learning needs, ensuring every young person could engage with the key safety messages in a way that worked for them.
The programme culminated in a visit to Swinton Lock Activity Centre, where participants experienced a series of 45-minute barge trips along the canal. For many, it was their first opportunity to take part in a community-based activity independently, without parents or carers present.
The carefully planned experience allowed young people to put their learning into practice in a real-world setting while being supported by familiar staff in a safe and structured environment. Smaller group sizes helped to reduce anxiety and sensory overwhelm, allowing participants to build confidence at their own pace.
Beyond learning about water safety, the programme delivered a range of wider benefits. Participants developed confidence in new environments, strengthened their independence, improved social interaction skills, and gained valuable experience of accessing community activities. Parents and carers also reported feeling reassured knowing their children had received practical safety education in an accessible and supportive setting.
Feedback from families was overwhelmingly positive, with 100% of respondents rating the experience as excellent and confirming that the activity was fully accessible for their child’s needs. Every parent or carer who provided feedback said they would like to see similar opportunities offered in the future.
One parent commented:
“He really loved it and wants to do it again.”
Another added:
“The water safety talk helped with his anxiety.”
Participants were equally enthusiastic about the experience.
“I enjoyed the boat trip. I would like to do it again.”
“I liked seeing the ducks.”
“The people were friendly.”
The programme highlighted the importance of providing practical, preventative education that is accessible to all young people. By combining classroom-based learning with real-life experiences, participants were able to gain knowledge that could help keep them safe while also creating positive memories, building confidence, and developing skills that will support them in everyday life.
RUCT would like to thank everyone involved, including Rotherham Parent Carers Forum, in making the programme a success and looks forward to continuing to provide meaningful opportunities that help young people across Rotherham stay safe, thrive, and reach their potential.
