Zest

Overcoming disability, anxiety and a fear of water to become a confident lane swimmer would have been beyond anything Dylan could have imagined. But a life changing accident that almost destroyed his life changed everything. His once terrifying phobia has now given him hope for the future. 

When Dylan first visited the swimming pool at Zest he had never even been swimming in his life.  

Taking the plunge

It started when doctors began using hydrotherapy to treat Dylan after he shattered a hip in a fall. Short and simple exercises helped to redevelop some muscle and alleviate some the chronic pain he was going through. 

He was advised to continue the exercises after being discharged. Physios recommended he try the Zest Centre with its warm water pool, confident that continuation of his water-based exercises would play a vital role in his long-term rehabilitation.  

Despite his fears and a deep-rooted apprehension, Dylan plucked up the courage and made his first visit to Zest.  

He’s never looked back. 

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“My first time at Zest was amazing”

Feeling so welcome

‘I have bad anxiety, but the staff immediately put me at ease the moment I walked in on my crutches. The pool staff were friendly and helpful, and showed me the disabled changing room and lockers and the lifeguards helped with my crutches and advised me about safety in the pool. 

‘I know it’s their job, but the lifeguards look out for everyone and are always there for advice. When it was time to leave the lifeguards helped again with my crutches. I think in some other pools people like me are pretty much left to their own devices. 

 ‘I’ve been coming to Zest Centre now for more than 3 years and the people on reception are always lovely, helpful and friendly, no matter what the day, rain or shine.’ 

In the deep end

Dylan described how he has come a long way since those early days at Zest. 

‘In those few years I have come from feeling anxious, having a fear of water and being unable to swim to feeling almost water confident. I can even swim in the deep end with some confidence.’ 

Dylan started by coming to the disabled swim session on Monday mornings but was soon confident enough to attend lane swimming on Saturdays and Tuesdays and now has his own Zest membership. 

‘I have never looked back. I now come to Zest three times a week usually spending up to an hour and half in the pool. I still suffer from chronic pain and my life will never be the same, but the pool really helps when I’m in there. I’ve even made a small group of friends, which was hard previously since my accident I was always at home by myself.’ 

Zest facilities

The Zest Centre swimming pool offers some of the best facilities in Sheffield for people with disabilities and those requiring help with rehabilitation. We have a disability ramp, a hoist to help those who need it get in and out of the pool, four individual and private disabled cabinets, equipped with a shower, hand basin and toilet providing you with plenty of room to get yourself changed, automatic doors in and out of the building help with access, we also provide free admission for carers helping a disabled person take part in an activity and of course we have our warm water pool with a raised temperate to 31 degrees.  

Want to know more?

You can find out more about the facilities we have at Zest to help people with disabilities and rehabilitation and how to get in touch  here