This Small Charity Week, we spoke with Sam from Soho Swim, a unique swim school on a mission to make high-quality, affordable swimming lessons accessible to all.
In this spotlight, Sam shares the impact Soho Swim is having in the community, their future plans, and the challenges of running a small charity. We also hear how a recent Islington Giving Make it Happen grant is helping them launch a vital new programme for local women.
What difference is Soho Swim making in the community?
Founded by two swim teachers who have grown tired of poor-quality and overpriced swim lessons, Soho Swim believes that high-quality, affordable swim lessons should be accessible to all. As such, we operate under a Pay What You Can pricing policy. We are the only swim school in the UK to operate this way.
Soho Swim teaches swimming in the Barbican. There are 50 children and three adults that swim with us weekly, many of whom live in the Borough of Islington.
“Soho Swim is on a mission to eliminate the financial inequality in access to swimming.”
How has the Make it Happen Fund supported you and your work?
Soho Swim has recently launched an adult women’s only programme of lessons called She Swims.
The Make it Happen Fund funds three spaces on She Swims for a full term. It gives three vulnerable adult women living in Islington an opportunity to learn a vital life skill, and improve physical and mental well-being in a safe, supportive community.
What are your hopes and goals for the year ahead?
Soho Swim is on a mission to eliminate the financial inequality in access to swimming.
Soho Swim will continue pounding the pavements. In the next year, we aim to:
- Increase the number of spaces offered to those from financially disadvantaged backgrounds by expanding to another day
- Run charitable events, such as the Soho Swimathon later this year
- Open our operation to another pool in London
“Grants, such as Islington Giving’s Make It Happen Fund, make financial sustainability possible in an economy with increasing financial stress.”
What do you see as the biggest challenges facing small charities like yours?
Balancing our charitable mission with financial sustainability. This is something Soho Swim has learnt by doing. Given our Pay What You Can initiative, we have had to push individuals who can to pay more.
Do you have any reflections on this year’s Small Charity Week theme: Financial Resilience and Sustainability – based on your experience or project?
Soho Swim has weathered fluctuating monthly pay-what-you-can revenues. Financial resilience and sustainability is core to our operation.
Grants, such as Islington Giving’s Make It Happen Fund, make financial sustainability possible in an economy with increasing financial stress.
Do you have a project or event idea that could make a difference to your community? Apply to Make it Happen!
