Exeter Foundation steps in to complete funding of hydrotherapy pool
The Exeter Foundation has stepped in at the eleventh hour to secure vital funding for an Exeter special school.
Despite raising a substantial amount of cash, the completion of an 'immeasurably important' hydrotherapy pool extension at Ellen Tinkham school, Pinhoe, had remained in jeopardy.
The school desperately needed a further £36,000 by the middle of January 2017 to fund the works, which the Exeter Foundation has donated.
The school has expanded in size and pupil intake in the four decades since the current pool first opened. Subsequently, there is now inadequate space to manoeuvre around the sides of the pool safely and inadequate changing and toileting facilities to provide sufficient dignity and ease for some of the pupils at the school.
The planned refurbishments will add two new changing rooms which will be large enough to fit a changing bed and a disabled toilet and shower. Hoist tracks will be extended to the new changing rooms to allow pupils to be transferred from there to the pool area more easily. Also, the existing corridor to the pool area will be extended to allow modern and larger power wheelchairs to access the new changing rooms.
Tony Rowe OBE, Chairman of the Exeter Foundation, said he and his fellow trustees were moved by the plight of the pupils and staff at Ellen Tinkham.
He explained: "The Exeter Foundation adopts a number of local charities each year who benefit from money collected on match days and from car park collections which are classed as designated funds.
"But we also have a pot of undesignated funds – cash raised by groups and individuals who support the Exeter Foundation – which can be used for worthy causes such as this.
"We have been very well supported this year and so were able to find the extra cash Ellen Tinkham School so desperately needed.
"It is a fantastic local school and an asset to the community and I and my fellow trustees were only too happy to step in and help."
Jacqui Warne, Executive Head, was absolutely delighted to hear the news. "The new changing facilities and additional space will greatly enhance the use of the pool not only for our pupils, but also the local communities who use the facility.
"Hydrotherapy sessions are really important for our pupils and we simply cannot thank our benefactors enough for their support which will allow us to complete this worthwhile project."
There are many ways and reasons in which the hydrotherapy pool helps the pupils of Ellen Tinkham School.
These include; physiotherapy, water confidence, sensory development, calming therapy and behaviour support.
Individual programmes are developed for pupils to use the pool as part of their education and learning. Ease of access to the changing and washing facilities in the new extension, will be of benefit to everyone.
Chair of the Parents, Teachers and Friends Association (PTFA), Sarah Wallace, said: "Having two children at the school who have different disabilities, I know how the benefits of water therapies can make a huge difference to the way my children function during their school day."
"This could ensure another 40 years for the pool and Ellen Tinkham. It is an immeasurable benefit."
Despite raising a substantial amount of cash, the completion of an 'immeasurably important' hydrotherapy pool extension at Ellen Tinkham school, Pinhoe, had remained in jeopardy.
The school desperately needed a further £36,000 by the middle of January 2017 to fund the works, which the Exeter Foundation has donated.
The school has expanded in size and pupil intake in the four decades since the current pool first opened. Subsequently, there is now inadequate space to manoeuvre around the sides of the pool safely and inadequate changing and toileting facilities to provide sufficient dignity and ease for some of the pupils at the school.
The planned refurbishments will add two new changing rooms which will be large enough to fit a changing bed and a disabled toilet and shower. Hoist tracks will be extended to the new changing rooms to allow pupils to be transferred from there to the pool area more easily. Also, the existing corridor to the pool area will be extended to allow modern and larger power wheelchairs to access the new changing rooms.
Tony Rowe OBE, Chairman of the Exeter Foundation, said he and his fellow trustees were moved by the plight of the pupils and staff at Ellen Tinkham.
He explained: "The Exeter Foundation adopts a number of local charities each year who benefit from money collected on match days and from car park collections which are classed as designated funds.
"But we also have a pot of undesignated funds – cash raised by groups and individuals who support the Exeter Foundation – which can be used for worthy causes such as this.
"We have been very well supported this year and so were able to find the extra cash Ellen Tinkham School so desperately needed.
"It is a fantastic local school and an asset to the community and I and my fellow trustees were only too happy to step in and help."
Jacqui Warne, Executive Head, was absolutely delighted to hear the news. "The new changing facilities and additional space will greatly enhance the use of the pool not only for our pupils, but also the local communities who use the facility.
"Hydrotherapy sessions are really important for our pupils and we simply cannot thank our benefactors enough for their support which will allow us to complete this worthwhile project."
There are many ways and reasons in which the hydrotherapy pool helps the pupils of Ellen Tinkham School.
These include; physiotherapy, water confidence, sensory development, calming therapy and behaviour support.
Individual programmes are developed for pupils to use the pool as part of their education and learning. Ease of access to the changing and washing facilities in the new extension, will be of benefit to everyone.
Chair of the Parents, Teachers and Friends Association (PTFA), Sarah Wallace, said: "Having two children at the school who have different disabilities, I know how the benefits of water therapies can make a huge difference to the way my children function during their school day."
"This could ensure another 40 years for the pool and Ellen Tinkham. It is an immeasurable benefit."
