SWINDON College's gym has been given a much-needed revamp thanks to the work of one student who has made the place disabled-user friendly.

Chloe Brown set about the mammoth refurbishment project while finishing off her studies and working as a Sportsmaker at the college.

Now the 19-year-old from Gorse Hill has reopened the popular gym with donated equipment that can be used for students with disabilities after working with the Foundation Learning department which caters for students with Special Educational Needs.

Chloe first became a Sportsmaker in April and despite only being in the role for two months, the teenager has settled in to teaching, running the gym and putting on extra-curricular classes.

“Since taking over the gym in April, I have tried to make the place accessible for everyone with the equipment," she said.

“There are pieces of equipment that can be lowered for people in wheelchairs and that is more stable for them than the other pieces.

“I wanted the gym to be used by not just able-bodied people but everyone and so to have equipment for people with disabilities, I think it makes it more welcoming for the foundation learning department.

“When I became sportsmaker, I wanted my main role to be working with the foundation department and now that the term has finished for the summer, the gym is now my priority in trying to get people to come along and use it."

Fit with a new coat of paint and mirrors, the gym has seen a number of local businesses generously donate gym equipment, especially boxing gear - which Chloe managed to source through her own contacts in the sport.

Now users can take advantage of lowered punchbags and bikes for disabled athletes, with more expected to be installed in the next 12 months.

Looking ahead, Chloe hopes to encourage more people to visit the gym to see what is on offer.

“There wasn’t any money put into it at all really, we were just very lucky that people generously donated to the gym," she added.

“I personally do boxing myself and so I know a lot of people in the sport so I contacted a few of them to see if they wanted to come in and offer a workshop or anything and some said they wouldn’t mind donating equipment.

“There has been a lot more girls coming into the gym since we’ve given the place a new look which is great because before it was mainly only boys so that is something I wanted to get rid of.”