Inspirational people not letting autism hold them back from teaching others to swim

INSPIRATIONAL individuals are not letting autism hold them back from teaching the next generations across Northwich and Winsford to swim.

Adam Blackburn, a Winsford Lifestyle Centre swim teacher, and Jude Cooper, a poolside assistant with Puddle Ducks Mid-Cheshire, are proud to be helping people build confidence in the water.

Adam Blackburn, from Winsford, spent many years navigating where he fitted into the world of work.

The 25-year-old knew he enjoyed swimming and visiting Brio Leisure, where he was always encouraged and supported by the team.

Last year, a swim teacher at Brio encouraged Adam to attend a level one teaching assistant course at Northwich Memorial Court, which he passed, and he is now very much a part of the team.

Adam’s Dad, Craig, said: “Brio, being a friendly, inclusive, and helpful organisation, afforded Adam a shift of work a week, which pleased him greatly.

“Adam has since thrived and gained loads of confidence, to the point he has taken on a second shift.

“When he puts on his Brio shirt, he says he feels part of the Brio family.”

Rachel Marland, aquatics officer at Brio Winsford and Northwich added: “Adam has settled into the Brio team and flourished in his role as a level one swimming teacher.

“Adam has built positive rapport with the children he teaches to swim, and he is a role model to all.

“Adam arrives to every shift with a smile on his face; his positive attitude and love of swimming is infectious to all around him.”

Jude, a poolside assistant with Puddle Ducks, is also taking the steps to becoming a swimming teacher.

Jude said working with the swim school has reaffirmed her belief that autism is her superpower.

Having previously found maintaining employment a challenge due to her seizures, Jude’s journey with Puddle Ducks began following a conversation with the owner of the Mid Cheshire office, Rachel Bateson.

Jude recalled: “I had a meeting with Rachel where I discussed my desire to be a poolside assistant and she asked me what support I needed for my condition.

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“She listened and I immediately felt so welcome and supported.

“Being autistic I see the world in black and white, I’m a stickler for rules, procedures and time keeping and this was all communicated to the team right from the start.

“They have never judged me, they have all accepted me and have not only been great colleagues, but also friends.”

Starting as a poolside assistant one night a week, Jude then progressed to four nights per week and has her sights set on her next challenge – becoming a swim teacher.

She was inspired by her background in outdoor education, after seeing many children miss out on water sports due to a lack of ability or confidence in the water.

She said: “I hope I will inspire the children I teach to never to hold back from something they want to achieve, in the same way I have never let my disabilities be a barrier to achieving my dreams.”

Rachel Bateson, owner of Puddle Ducks Mid-Cheshire added: “We are so proud of Jude, she’s such an inspiration to not only her colleagues, but more importantly to the children she comes into contact with, she’ll be a fantastic teacher.

“I’m so proud that at Puddle Ducks we are able to provide equal opportunities and put support in place where it’s required in order to have wonderful people such as Jude on our team.”