Sports project helps women become lifeguards at Islington swimming pools

An Islington sports project has helped 15 women become qualified lifeguards.

Graduates of the lifeguarding course with This Girl Can Islington with Cllr Janet Burgess, centre. Picture: Steve Bainbridge - Credit: Archant

This Girl Can Islington aims to increase physical activity among women and girls over 14, offering sport and physical activity sessions as well as training and qualifications.

Islington is the first borough to train lifeguards through This Girl Can.

The qualification includes first aid training, how to use early intervention and helping distressed people.

Dajana Kastrati joined the lifeguarding course aged 16. She now works at Cally Pool and Highbury Pool and said: “The course was very interesting and I really enjoyed it. It was women-only, so I felt that I was more comfortable especially during the poolside training, and I gained confidence and met new friends.”

Cllr Janet Burgess, Islington’s health leader, said: “This Girl Can Islington is a fantastic initiative, not only getting more women and girls involved in sport, but offering training and qualifications that will help women to secure jobs.”

For more information, visit islington.gov.uk/activewomen