Ripple Effect Project - End of Test and Learn project report October 2025

Introduction

This report reviews Swim England’s Ripple Effect project, which aimed to increase volunteering opportunities for disabled people in aquatics.

Working with disability sports organisations and local swimming clubs, the project tested how barriers could be removed, explored effective support methods, and identified ways to make volunteering more inclusive.

Findings

The Ripple Effect project showed that disabled people can successfully volunteer and progress in technical officiating roles when they receive the right support.

Working with 7 disability sports organisations, Swim England recruited volunteers with a range of impairments and helped them gain qualifications as

• timekeepers

• judges

• swimming lesson helpers

The project found that mentoring, flexibility and regular communication were key to volunteer success. Many volunteers reported increased confidence, a stronger sense of belonging and pride in contributing to their local swimming communities.

The project also highlighted barriers, including:

• inaccessible facilities

• limited awareness of volunteering opportunities

• unsuitable training formats

• a lack of confidence among some clubs in supporting disabled volunteers

Several improvements were made during the project, including more accessible training, alternative volunteering pathways and practical guidance for clubs.

Overall, the report concludes that inclusion is achievable with relatively simple adjustments, strong local support and a willingness to adapt, creating benefits for volunteers, clubs and the wider aquatics community.