West Dunbartonshire Leisure wins national award

West Dunbartonshire Leisure has won a national award showcasing its exceptional Learn to Swim programme for young people and adults.

West Dunbartonshire Leisure took home the prestigious 2026 Scottish Water Learn to Swim Provider of the Year award at the Scottish Swimming Annual Awards on 19th September at the Marriott Hotel in Glasgow.

The leisure trust, which delivers swimming lessons to more than 3,100 young people and adults every week, has seen over 40% growth in its programme this year and was recognised for its outstanding commitment to creating an inclusive, high-quality environment where everyone can gain confidence in the water while having fun at the same time.

They not only provide thousands of people with the opportunity to build vital life skills, but also create a safe, supportive, and enjoyable environment where every individual can thrive.

The winner's strong and positive team culture stands out as a key strength, directly contributing to fun and engaging lessons for swimmers and underpinning impressive growth across the programme during the past year.

The Scottish Water Learn to Swim Provider of the Year award celebrates leisure providers who are delivering the Learn to Swim National Framework in communities across Scotland. This framework - a partnership between Scottish Swimming and Scottish Water - is designed to create 'Generation Swim' - a generation of confident, safer, and competent swimmers, who will also get to experience the wider health and social benefits that swimming can offer.

Lorna Smith, Aquatics Development Officer at West Dunbartonshire Leisure, said:

"I am extremely proud to win this award and it's an incredible reflection of the effort our team puts in day in and day out to support our swimmers and their families.

"We pride ourselves on being flexible and inclusive making sure every individual can participate regardless of background or ability. Our swimming teachers create the ideal environment to ensure children and adults develop the confidence and competence to keep them safer in water, whilst also having fun at the same time."

"We're committed to developing and supporting our workforce who are critical to the whole programme. I am also proud of our innovative open water sessions at Loch Lomond to embed water safety education and ensure every child knows the dangers that water can pose."

Andrew Walker, Head of Corporate Affairs at Scottish Water, said: "West Dunbartonshire Leisure put water safety at the forefront of their programme and their achievement is an inspiring example of how powerful the Learn to Swim National Framework can be. Their commitment and their inclusive approach to deliver high quality swimming lessons really is helping to make sure that learning to swim is open to all ages and abilities - learning to swim is such an important safety skill."

"With their help, and hundreds of others across the country, Learn to Swim lessons are making a really positive difference in creating a generation of confident, safer and competent swimmers."

John Lunn, Chief Executive Officer at Scottish Swimming, said: "Congratulations to West Dunbartonshire Leisure on winning this award for their stand-out programme which has achieved phenomenal growth this year. We were incredibly impressed by the standard of entries this year.

"The team at West Dunbartonshire Leisure is doing a great job of ensuring every swimmer is given the best chance to succeed, and the results speak for themselves. It is an outstanding example of what the Learn to Swim programme represents."

Now in its ninth year, the Learn to Swim Provider of the Year Award recognises organisations making a real impact in their communities by delivering high-quality lessons that help individuals develop a vital life skill.

This year's shortlist also included Active Stirling and the University of Stirling - all showcasing the powerful impact of local providers across the country.

The Learn to Swim National Framework currently supports more than 88,000 children and adults in weekly lessons across Scotland, with providers playing a vital role in expanding access to water safety and healthy lifestyles.

Learn to Swim is a National Framework committed to creating inclusive, supportive and quality environments in which individuals can learn to swim regardless of their age, ability, or skill level. It aims to develop confident, safer and competent swimmers, as well as encouraging individuals to adopt a healthy and fulfilling lifestyle with sport and fun at its heart to reach their full potential both in the pool and out.

Safety in and around water is central to the Learn to Swim National Framework. Swimming provides essential life skills to help people stay safer whether at local pools, beaches, or around Scotland's coastline, rivers, reservoirs and lochs.

For more on the Learn to Swim programme, visit: https://www.scottishswimming.com/learn-to-swim