Two Rivers Housing has donated £790 to Forest of Dean Swimming Club through its partnership with the Travis Perkins Social Value Legacy Fund. The donation funded coach travel for swimmers to take part in the Cotswold League. This support will help the club continue providing inclusive swimming opportunities for children and young people across the Forest of Dean.

Forest of Dean Swimming Club is a volunteer-led organisation dedicated to helping swimmers of all abilities build confidence in the water, develop their skills and enjoy the benefits of being part of a team. With rising costs continuing to impact community groups, this donation from the fund helped the club support those who might not otherwise be able afford travel to competitions. The fund is generated from Two Rivers Housing’s material purchases with Travis Perkins throughout the year. Using the funding, groups from the club were able to attend competitions in Bristol and Burnham-on-Sea. Travelling by coach can also help build team spirit and reduce the impact on the environment compared to team members making separate car journeys.

Based at leisure centres in Cinderford and Lydney, the club is run by a dedicated team of coaches and volunteers who give their time each week to support swimmers in achieving their goals. As well as regular training sessions, members have opportunities to take part in friendly competitions and local galas, building confidence and forming lasting friendships along the way.

Anthea Tawney, Community Engagement Manager at Two Rivers Housing said:

“We’re delighted to support Forest of Dean Swimming Club and the fantastic work they do for young people in our communities. Access to sport and physical activity is so important for both physical and mental wellbeing. Clubs like this not only help children develop valuable life skills such as resilience and teamwork but also create a real sense of belonging.

“Working with partner organisations to support the wider needs of our communities is an important part of our strategy – ‘Delivering #Twogether 2024–2027’. By investing in grassroots groups like Forest of Dean Swimming Club, we are helping to create healthier, more connected communities across the Forest of Dean.”

Phil Jones, Customer Operations Manager at Travis Perkins Managed Services added: “It is fantastic to see donations from the fund making an impact for young people at the Forest of Dean Swimming Club. We are proud to work with Two Rivers Housing and play a part in supporting its partners in the community.”

The Two Rivers Housing Group provides affordable housing for more than 4,600 families in the Forest of Dean and Gloucestershireand pledged to build 1,000 new affordable homes in the local area between 2018 and 2028. As of March 2024, it had built 687 and remains on target to deliver its pledge.

In 2020, the Group received its largest ever private investment, securing £130m to help fund its development programme and invest in its homes and neighbourhoods and has since also secured ECO4 funding to complete energy improvement work in a many more homes