AUTISM FRIENDLY SESSIONS


Autism and Family Fun Sessions

Kingswood Active Lifestyle Centre

First Saturday of the Month

5pm - 5.45pm

Main Pool

Small Pool

Book your place in advance

Call 0300 333 0300

Martyn Hinam, Centre Manager at Kingswood

WHO CAN ATTEND?

Any family who have at least one child with Autism.  We understand each child is different and severity could depend on where they are on the spectrum.

Booking and payments for the session can be made four weeks in advance by calling 0300 333 0300 and will be on a first come first serve basis.

PARENT TO CHILD POOL RATIOS

It is our aim to provide you with an enjoyable swimming experience.  Our parent to child ratios are:

SMALL POOL:

  • Children under 4yrs: 1 adult to 2 children 
  • Children aged 4-7yrs: 1 adult to 4 children 
  • Combination of ages: 1 adult to 3 children

MAIN POOL:

  • Children under 4yrs: 1 adult to 1 child 
  • Children aged 4-7yrs: 1 adult to 2 children 
  • Combination of ages: 1 adult to 1 child 

WHAT TO EXPECT

Other swimmers will be leaving the pool at 4:50pm, before your session starts.  Other swimmers will be accessing the pool at 6:15pm.  Your session will be from 5pm to 5:45pm.  To help prepare your children we have provided some images and text about their trip:

This is Kingswood Active Lifestyle Centre

We have 2 swimming pools, softplay, gym and lots of spaces for people to come and play and exercise.

Welcome

Our friendly Customer Service Advisors wear a Blue Top.  They will meet and greet you, and answer any questions you may have.

You may also see a Duty Managers wearing a Grey top. They are also there to manage staff, help our customers and make sure the centre is to a good standard.

The Building

To get to the swimming pools and changing rooms you will need to walk down some corridors – don’t worry, it isn’t far.

The Changing Rooms

We have poolside changing cubicles, showers and lockers.  The lockers take a £1, which is returned when you turn the key to unlock the locker.

Our Staff

Our friendly Lifeguards wear a Red Top, and Whistle.  They will be sat in the lifeguards chairs and will walk around the swimming pool.  They are there to keep everyone safe and follow the rules, prevent incidents and respond if there is an emergency.  They may blow their whistle if there is an emergency or urgently need to get attention.

Our Pools!

We have a Main Pool, which has a deep end.  You won’t be able to touch the bottom of the floor in the deep end, but you can in the shallow end.

We also have a small pool.  The water temperature is warmer in the small pool.

Safety for your children and all participants

Safety in the pool area is paramount for everyone.  We want you and your family to have fun so there are a few guidelines that must be followed, if you are not sure, please ask a lifeguard.  There are signs around the pool to show what not to do.

Ultimately you are responsible for yourself and your children in and around the pool area, the lifeguards are there in an emergency and help keep everyone safe.

Alarms and Noises

  • Fire Exits Awareness: We have 2 Exits on poolside. One leads into the Car Park, the other goes onto the main road.

  • Noise: We will turn off the background music for this session.

Fire Alarm: Should the Fire Alarm be activated, the Lifeguards will ask everyone to leave the pool and line up by a Fire Exit. We will only evacuate swimmers if there is a real fire. If in the extremely rare situation there is an evacuation of the swimmers, the Lifeguards issue foil blankets to all swimmers and lead them to the Fire Assembly Point, located in the Car Park.

FIRE ALARM

Click play to hear what our Fire Alarm sounds like:

Pool Alarm: Should the Pool Alarm be activated, that means the pool has to be evacuated and the Lifeguard may have to make a rescue. The full team around the building will be at the pool with in seconds to provide support.

POOL ALARM

Click play to hear what our Pool Alarm sounds like:

Payments

Our aim is to make the Autism and Family sessions self sustainable so we can keep the sessions running through out the year.  The cost of this session is our normal pool admission fee.  However, some children depending on the severity may receive a discount on the price of a swim if they are registered disabled.  If you believe you are entitled to a discount, you can apply for an Active Card online here and pick up in Centre on your next visit.  (Evidence of disability will be required when collecting your Active Card on your first visit).