About us
Sandgate Hydrotherapy Pool was built in 1977 through donations received through public subscription. The fundraising was led by members of Westmorland Mencap, who have continued their support for the Pool ever since, more latterly through the Trustees of South Lakeland Hydrotherapy Trust.
During the intervening years the Pool has been operated by Cumbria County Council. The Pool now resides within the People Directorate, with budgetary responsibility resting with the South Lakeland Local Committee.
Due to the unique nature of the services provided at the Pool, it has been possible, over many years to secure partnership funding arrangements with a number of key stakeholders, these being Morecambe Bay Clinical Commissioning Group and their newly emerging structures, South Lakeland District Council, and Kendal Town Council. Further additional fundraising has been co-ordinated on an on-going basis by the South Lakeland Hydrotherapy Trust, which has led to significant improvements being made to the Pool building, and an increase in the level of service provided to Pool users.
The Pool offers a unique service to the population of south Cumbria and north Lancashire, the benefits of hydrotherapy have been well known for many years. The Pool offers these benefits to swimmers and non-swimmers alike in a supportive, non-competitive environment that affords privacy. Key benefits for Pool users include the ability to:
- Move more easily
- Relax your body
- Regain fitness following an operation or accident
- Ease pain
- Perform gentle all body, non-weight bearing exercises
- Improve circulation and breathing
- Build self confidence
All of which contribute to the following key health and wellbeing outcomes:
- Maintenance of individual health and wellbeing
- Reducing re-presenting occurrences at GP surgeries and physiotherapy departments
- Quicker rehabilitation following surgery or trauma to allow for early return to work
- On-going pain relief for chronic conditions
- Increased opportunities for a return to independent living following periods of hospitalisation
- Increased social interactions improving mental health and rates of on-going compliance
The Pool has a number of key objectives which include:
- To provide therapy at an affordable cost
- To provide a Pool heated to 94˚F (10˚F higher than a public swimming pool)
- To provide personal/specialist session
- To facilitate confidence building and emotional support
- To provide an environment for social interaction
- To maintain and improve the Pool facilities
For more information about the benefits provided through Hydrotherapy Services read the MYMOP Study-Summary Paper 2019 (PDF 31KB)
For more information about how we are doing read the Sandgate Pool Service Plan for 2019/2020 (PDF 2MB)
For more information about how we aim to continue read the Sandgate Pool Annual Report 2019/2020 (PDF 7MB)