We understand that visiting the swimming pool can be an overwhelming experience and for some, the busyness of a public session can be challenging.
Sensory Friendly Family sessions give young swimmers the opportunity to swim in a more relaxed environment.
Location
Middleton Arena
Lance Corporal Joel Halliwell VC Way
Middleton
Manchester
M24 1AG
Sessions/Pricing
Members are free.
Family ticket (up to 4) = £16.
Adult = £5.60
Child = £2.90
Current sessions can be viewed by clicking the ‘Book your place here’ below
Due to high demand and maximum bather loads, we advise that you book your place by clicking the button below or calling the centre at 0161 662 4000 to avoid disappointment on the day.
Book your place hereWho can attend?
Any family who has at least one child with additional support needs. We understand that each child is different and their needs can vary.
Swimming Pool Policy applies. Non swimmers must be supervised by an adult.
View Swimming Admissions PolicyWhat to expect
Swimmers from the previous session will leave the pool at 3.45pm, 45 minutes before the Sensory Friendly Family session starts.
The Sensory Friendly Family session takes place 4.30 – 5.30pm and is the last pool session of the day.
To help prepare you and your children for the visit, we have provided some details below.
The Sensory Friendly Family session takes place at Middleton Arena. The centre is a combined leisure centre and events venue and has two swimming pools, sauna and steam rooms, a gym, meeting rooms, squash courts, a sports hall, group exercise studio, cafe and an events auditorium.
Welcome
When in centre, all of the friendly Your Trust team wear a blue coloured t-shirts or polo shirts.
Our Customer Service Assistants are the first people you will meet when you enter reception. They will be more than happy to meet and greet you, and answer any questions you have.
You may also see an Assistant Manager wearing a blue polo shirt. They are there to manage staff, help our customers and make sure the operation of our centre is running to a safe and high standard.
Where to go
When you have been to reception and paid for your session, you will go through the turnstiles and head to the wet changing village to get changed into your swimwear and ready for your swimming session.
The Wet Changing Village
In the changing village there are male and female changing areas, with two larger family cubicles and two accessible changing rooms available. There are showers, toilets and a variety of lockers to store your personal belongings whilst you swim.
You will need a £1 coin or a locker token to use the lockers, but this is refundable at the end of your swimming session when you have finished using the locker.
Lifeguards
Our friendly Lifeguards wear a blue top, black shorts and a whistle.
They are trained to patrol zones of the swimming pools and are there to ensure your safety, to implement rules, to minimise accidents and incidents, and to respond if there is an emergency.
Please be aware that they may blow their whistle if there is an emergency or urgently need to get your attention.
Swimming Pools
There are two pools in the centre.
The depth of the Large Pool varies from 1m at the shallow end to 1.9m at its deepest point. The water temperature of the Large Pool is 28-29°C
The depth of the Small Pool is 0.8m-1.0m. The water temperature of the Small Pool is warmer than the Large Pool, ranging from 30-31°C
Safety for all participants
Safety in the pool area is paramount for everyone.
We want everyone to have fun so there are a few guidelines that must be followed. If you are not sure, please ask a Lifeguard.
Ultimately you are responsible for yourself and your children in and around the pool area, the Lifeguards are there in an emergency and help keep everyone safe.
Please follow instructions on the signs located around the pool area, and any given by the Lifeguards.
We ask that you
- Have fun and enjoy your session
- Be responsible for your children
- Help your children to follow the rules
- Store all of your personal belongings in the lockers provided. Do not bring bags/clothes onto poolside
Please don’t
- Run on poolside
- Dive/cannon ball into the pool
- Dunk other people
- Push others into the water
- Do acrobatics into the water
Alarms and Noises
Noise
Music, hair dryers and hand dryers will be switched off during the Sensory Friendly Family sessions.
Exclusive access
The Sauna and steam rooms, which is normally access by the general public from poolside, will be switched off and the wet changing area and poolside will be exclusively available for only the Sensory Friendly Family session. Only those attending the Sensory Friendly Family session will have access; no other public/members will be permitted access during the time of the session.
Pool Alarm
Should the Pool Alarm be activated, that means the pool has to be evacuated and the Lifeguard may have to make a rescue. Should this happen, the Your Trust team will make their way to poolside within seconds to provide support.
Fire Exits
There are two fire exits on poolside; one for the large pool and one for the small pool
Fire Alarm
Should the Fire Alarm be activated, the Lifeguards will ask everyone to line up by a Fire Exit located at the small pool. We will only evacuate swimmers if there is a real fire.
If in the extremely rare situation there is an evacuation of the swimmers, the Lifeguards issue foil blankets to all swimmers and lead them to the Fire Assembly Point, located at the front car park.