Treloar’s is a remarkable life-changing place where some of the most severely physically disabled young people in the UK come to live and learn. We are a leading provider of education, care, therapy, medical support and independence training for around 170 young people aged 2 to 25 years. Between them our students have over 40 different physical disabilities, most commonly, cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy and spina bifida. These are often combined with sensory impairments and learning difficulties.
We are a charity – each year we need to raise £2 million to ensure we sustain the vital support and services needed by our young people. We could not do this without fundraising events and the generosity of our supporters.
For details of events see the Whats On Calendar or visit https://www.treloar.org.uk/events-challenges/
Britevox will be out and about in the local community selling their TRELOTTERY membership to help raise vital funds for the charity and support young people with complex disabilities. All canvassers will have formal identification and we hope you enjoy chatting with them. However, if you have any questions or concerns further information can be found here www.trelottery.org.uk or by contacting the Fundraising team at Treloar’s on 01420 547477 or emailing fundraising@treloar.org.uk
Location
Treloar’s, Powell Drive, Holybourne, Alton, Hampshire, GU34 4GL
Funders make a splash!
Treloar’s welcomes Paralympian Swimmer Suzanna Hext to open the swimming pool
The official opening of Treloar’s refurbished swimming pool took place on 21st February. Suzanna Hext, Treloar’s Patron, Paralympic swimmer and accomplished equestrian, joined the guests, including funders, supporters, staff and students to officially open the pool. Everyone enjoyed seeing students enjoying the fabulous new pool and hearing the Swim Team explain about the positive impact the refurbished pool and new changing rooms are having on Treloar’s students.
As part of the opening ceremony, Suzanna, who is also an Ambassador for the School’s Team Water, joined students for a swimming session. “I loves the time I spend here,” said Suzanna. She has first-hand knowledge of the huge benefits of being in the water, and during the swimming session, she played water games and completed lengths of the pool.
In 2021 the swimming pool was in desperate need of refurbishment. The increasing complexity of students’ disabilities meant that the number who could use the pool for swimming and hydrotherapy was dramatically reducing. Sadly it is also extremely challenging, and sometimes impossible, for students to visit a public pool because changing and hoisting facilities aren’t suitable for their complex needs.
Through the appeal, and thanks to amazing support, Treloar’s raised an incredible £500,000 – this has helped increase the capacity of the pool by 60% and bring the joy of swimming to many more of students on a regular basis. Treloar’s are very grateful to everyone who has supported this appeal, in particular to East Hampshire District Council who have awarded the project £190,000 through the Community Infrastructure Levy, and to The Gosling Foundation for a £100,000 grant. These funds enabled the charity to make the following essential changes to the pool:
- Add 5 new changing rooms with direct tracked hoists to the pool
- Reduce the depth of the pool at the deep end to allow more students to be supported in the water by their carer
- Improve ventilation to reduce fatigue
- Re-tile the pool to help the visual needs of students
These changes provide significant health and wellbeing benefits to Treloar’s students, local families who use the swimming pool for lessons, and disability charities who use our facilities during the holidays.
Here are student Luna’s thoughts on the pool: “I like the new pool; it’s warm in the water and feels good to be out of my chair. I go in the pool every week and it’s definitely better now.”
