Hydrotherapy pool for Dorset disability charity gets approval
But Diverse Abilities need to raise £1 million to build it
Plans for a hydrotherapy pool complex for a Dorset disability charity have been given planning permission.
But there's still an uphill battle for Diverse Abilities, as they need to raise £1 million to build the facility.
The charity wants to create the site within their Beehive Adult Centre campus, at Manor Avenue in Poole.
Ken Parke, managing director at KPPC planning consultants, said:
“The hydrotherapy pool promises to provide lifechanging water-based therapy for many of the adults supported by Diverse Abilities.
“Research has shown that one of the greatest issues for people with mobility impairments is the weight of gravity taking its toll on those who spend a great deal of time in a chair or bed, especially in terms of pain and wellbeing.
“The pool will be a fantastic asset for the charity to provide much-needed treatment and will give people the opportunity to enjoy the feeling of being free and relaxed while having fun at the same time."
Diverse Abilities previously gained planning permission for a pool complex at the Beehive in 2015, but continuing research into the multitude of benefits of hydrotherapy has resulted in a re-think on the design and configuration of the interior of the pool, which now needs to be longer.
Diverse Abilities provides hydrotherapy for children at its specialist school but has no facilities to continue this when they become adults, even though they need and deserve it just as much.
It says that most of the adults supported by the charity are unable to use public swimming pools due to the low water temperature and poor accessibility.
In addition, there are no warm pool facilities in Dorset dedicated to providing therapy for adults with lifelong disabilities.