A Werribee swimming school is helping minority groups take to the pool.
Swim 4 All owner Natalie Clarke started Sunday morning swimming classes for kids with special needs in 2006 after struggling to find classes for her own son, who has autism.
Demand for the classes resulted in Ms Clarke purchasing a swim centre in Merchants Court, where she offers programs for kids with special needs and disabilities, women-only mornings, elderly group classes and classes for new migrants.
The centre is also open to the general public.
“When it touches you personally, you really appreciate how much [special classes like this] help,” Ms Clarke said.
Point Cook mum Sarah Killip has been taking her seven-month-old daughter April to the weekly mums-and-bubs classes. Her daughter was born with hip dysplasia and originally had to wear a brace 23 hours a day.
Ms Killip said swimming had helped with April’s rehabilitation and she now wears her brace only at night.
