GRANTS from The Children’s Society have helped change the lives of 12 vulnerable youngsters who have been learning how to swim.

For families living in supported housing in St Ives Court, Nythe, life can be very difficult – especially for young children who may not have access to the kinds of activities others might.

But what the families can do is apply to the Children’s Society to the Pot of Gold fund, which provides grants for activities for children to enjoy.

Torz Russell, a family support worker based at the Eldene Children’s Centre, helped the families in St Ives Court to put together the bid which eventually won them £360 to put towards swimming lessons.

Torz said: “When we got them to start thinking about they might want to put the money towards and what kind of activities they wanted to do the overwheleming need seemed to be for swimming lessons.

“When we do the bid it needed to come from the families and the children themselves and give the reasons why they want it.

“For one in particular it was because she wasn’t allowed to go down the big slide until she could swim without her arm bands.

“We sent the bid in and it actually gets judged by children too, and they awarded us £360 which is enough for 12 families to have swimming lessons for six weeks and work towards their Little Duckling badge.”

On Monday the families had their last class at Dorcan Recreation Centre.

Torz said: “I’m really pleased we managed to receive the money.

“All the children were really excited and it was just a good opportunity for them to learn something they wouldn’t usually be able to.

“It was also a fantastic opportunity to show how Children’s Centres and The Children’s Society can really make a positive difference to people.”

Tasha Schofield’s daughters Gracie, three, and Marllie, six months, were two of the children who benefited from the swimming lessons.

The 23-year-old said: “Grace hadn’t even been swimming before and it’s just something I wanted her to do to learn how to swim and to get over her fear of water.

“It was always something I thought was important for her to get into and learn so I mentioned it to Torz who was organising it.

“It was great, now she jumps into the water on her own and she loves bath time. I’m so happy about the progress she has made.

“It was really tough when we first moved into St Ives because it’s quite a small space and you don’t know anyone.

“So it was also a good way to meet new people in similar situations and for a chance for the children to do something different together.”