AQUA English- overcoming trauma & learning to swim
Learning about additional barriers to access and inclusion and implementing strategies to address them.
In the past 15 years more than 33,000 refugees and migrants have enrolled in the Aqua English swimming program.
Refugee lawyer Sarah Scarce co-founded the program 15 years ago when she and her mother — an English as a second language teacher — realised how many people were drowning in south-east Queensland.
When they looked at the issue more closely, they discovered many of those drownings or injuries involved refugees and migrants with no prior swimming experience. Recognising the additional barrier of trauma that many had faced meant they could develop a program that provided a safe learning environment.
Aqua English are recognised experts at teaching adults to swim and understand the culture of Australian aquatic environments. They can practice their English and build confidence in and around water in Queensland.
Being a full-circle program Aqua English supports participants to attain swim teacher and life-saving qualifications so they can then become instructors.
Aqua English programs now include: group adult swim, beginner Aqua aerobics, deep water running sessions, ladies only adult swim, ladies only aqua aerobics and more recently a grandparents day.
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