Lion Swimming Club is a swimming club in London dedicated to providing opportunities for individuals with permanent physical, learning, and sensory disabilities. The club operates as a registered charity (Charity No: 1053060) and welcomes people of all ages who have disabilities, regardless of their specific condition.
Located at The Eltham Centre in Archery Road, Eltham, London, the Lion Swimming Club offers regular swimming sessions in three different pools: the Spa pool, the Main pool, and the Family pool. The club has exclusive use of the Spa pool on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday evenings from 6:30pm to 8pm, as well as on Sunday mornings from 10am to 12 noon. The Main pool is available on Sunday mornings from 10am to 11:30am.
The Eltham Centre is conveniently located for individuals living in Southeast London or Northwest Kent, with easy access to Eltham Station and various bus routes. There is also a small car park available for those who prefer to drive. For more detailed information, individuals can contact David at 020 8855 4277 or Liz at 07793 282088, or send an email inquiry.
The Lion Swimming Club does not charge any subscription fees or session fees. However, members are required to purchase a Greenwich Card and inform the Eltham Centre that they belong to the Lion Swimming Club. Donations to the club are always welcomed and appreciated. The club is affiliated with NASCH, the National Association of Swimming Clubs for the Handicapped.
The facilities at the Lion Swimming Club cater to the needs of individuals with disabilities. The Spa pool is particularly suitable for members with limited movement, as it maintains a temperature above 90F (32C). Regular hydrotherapy sessions are available with a qualified physio, providing therapeutic benefits for participants. The depth of the Spa pool is approximately 1.
2 metres (4 feet), and there is a jacuzzi attached to the pool. The Lion Swimming Club has exclusive use of the Spa pool during its designated sessions.
For members who prefer swimming in a larger pool, the Main pool offers a designated swimming lane during the Lion Swimming Club's weekly session on Sunday mornings from 10am to 11:30am. The remaining portion of the Main pool is accessible to the public.
Although the Lion Swimming Club is operated entirely by volunteers, the dedicated helpers are willing to assist members with various tasks, such as putting on shoes or coats, transferring individuals in wheelchairs between the changing rooms and the pool area, and using lockers. However, the club currently does not provide one-to-one assistance. Members requiring assistance in dressing or in the pool must bring their own helper. Both pools are equipped with pool pods to assist individuals with getting in and out of the water.
Additionally, disabled changing rooms and toilets are available.
During each session, trained lifeguards from Greenwich Leisure (Better) are present to ensure the safety of all participants. For members residing in the borough of Greenwich, the council offers a minibus service on Sunday mornings to transport wheelchair users between their homes and the Eltham Centre. Booking in advance through the club is required for this minibus service.
Membership to the Lion Swimming Club is open exclusively to individuals with a permanent disability. The club's constitution, available on its website, provides detailed information regarding membership requirements and guidelines. The committee, which consists of both disabled and able-bodied members, meets regularly to oversee the general operations of the club. An annual general meeting is held, typically in March, and audited accounts are published.
The Lion Swimming Club strives to create an inclusive and welcoming environment where individuals with disabilities can enjoy the benefits of swimming, exercise, and social interaction.
