BK’S Lear to Swim is creating community and teaching water safety in Clyde North
A new take on mothers’ groups is helping mums in Melbourne’s southeast build community while also reinforcing water safety. SEE THE PICS
South East
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A group of women in Melbourne’s southeast is hoping to both inspire community and improve safety, with a fresh take on the mothers’ group concept.
The recently opened BK’s Learn to Swim in Clyde North has started offering mothers’ group swimming lessons, dubbed “mums on a mission”, swapping cafe and park catch ups with chlorine and togs in order to increase water education and subsequently reduce drowning rates.
BK’s Learn to Swim area manager Eb Matthews said the alternate take on a mothers’ group had really taken off.
“Our mothers’ group sessions allow mums to get the social interaction and support they would get from a typical mothers’ group, while also combining that with learning important water safety skills,” she said.
Ms Matthews said the sessions were also confidence builders.
“It’s great for both the mums and the kids to see familiar faces,” she said.
“It helps to boost confidence and comfort levels in the water, and it has the fun-factor as well.”
Ms Matthews wants to see the potentially lifesaving program expand across Melbourne.
“If kids have swimming skills from a young age, we know it will save lives,” she said.
“You only have to look at the summer we’ve just had in Australia and the number of drownings — there is still a lot more work to be done.”
Jasmine Hill, a Clyde North mum, was straight on board when she heard about the sessions.
Ms Hill, with 10-month-old Piper, said she loved the social element as well as feeling as though the group was achieving something.
“It feels great to be catching up with other mums and also getting our babies familiar with water,” she said.
“It’s a lovely bonding activity between mum and baby, it’s really relaxing being in the warm water together, singing songs and having fun. And to know I’m giving Piper skills that may one day save her life makes me really happy.”
Ms Hill said having the shared activity to enjoy as a group helped to deepen her connections with other mums.
“It’s been a great activity to do with the other new mums. We all want to be there every Friday,” she said.
“We’ve definitely formed deeper connections faster than just sitting around together. Many of us catch up after the lessons for a coffee too.”
BK’s Learn to Swim Clyde North is located at 77 Matterhorn Drive in Clyde North. Find more information here.
gemma.scerri@news.com.au
