A not-for-profit community group in Sheffield has been awarded the final £1000 charity grant from STA’s 2024 CommUNITY STArters campaign, which will help expand the opportunities for local women to access vital swimming and water safety sessions.

Wensley Tenants & Residents Association (TARA) are involved in a range of voluntary projects on the Wensley Estate in Sheffield, one of which supports vulnerable women from disadvantaged and ethnic minority backgrounds in the local area. This key initiative focusses on improving the physical and mental health of women, and includes offering weekly grassroots swimming sessions and water safety education. The women who participate are often lonely, socially isolated, and face significant health challenges such as arthritis, obesity and poor mental health.

Wensley TARA currently run weekly swimming sessions at Concord Sports Centre, but to date, due to limited funding and resources they can only accommodate 10 participants per week, leaving many others waiting for their turn to benefit from this vital programme. A programme, that in addition to offering physical benefits, provides a safe and supportive environment for social interaction, helping to reduce feelings of loneliness and isolation.

With the additional funding secured via STA’s CommUNITY STArters charity campaign in December, Wensley TARA will be able to expand the swim programme in 2025, and increase the number of participants to 40.

A volunteer from Wensley TARA said: “This funding will have a significant impact on our community by addressing the barriers that prevent women from disadvantaged and ethnic minority backgrounds from accessing swimming and water safety education. Many of these women have never had the opportunity to learn how to swim due to cultural, financial, or logistical challenges. By providing regular, affordable, and culturally sensitive swimming sessions, the funding will empower them to develop vital life skills and improve their overall well-being.”

The CommUNITY STArters funding will be used to cover costs for pool hire, swimming teachers, and lifeguards who are sensitive to cultural needs, which is essential as many of Wensley TARA’s participants require a safe and supportive environment to overcome their lack of confidence in water.

Ali Beckman, STA’s President said: “This is a fantastic project to support and rounds off our year-long support for not-for-profit organisations perfectly.”

“When we set-out to create CommUNITY STArters, we wanted to support volunteer organisations just like Wensley TARA, who are making a lasting impact in their communities through grassroots swimming projects. By helping them address barriers to swimming, we know this funding will have a long-term positive effect on the women involved, who have historically been excluded from such opportunities. This will not only greatly enhance their health and well-being, but it will teach them key lifesaving skills in line with our charitable objectives.”