Svenska PostkodStiftelsen

Swedish Life Saving Society

  • Location: Sweden
  • Period: New! 2011-2012
  • Organization: Swedish Life Saving Society
  • Contribution: The Swedish Postcode Lottery
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Swimming lessons for 3500 children

Drowning accidents are the third common cause of death among children and young people in Sweden today. Children with foreign origin often suffer from the greatest risk of drowning due to lack of swimming knowledge and awareness of the dangers associated with swimming. Additionally, linguistic and/or cultural barriers could further prevent many children the access to swimming schools offered in Sweden.

The Postcode Foundation supports a project within the Swedish Life Saving Society (Livräddningssällskapet), which trains bilingual swimming instructors that will facilitate the communication with children and their parents. The Swedish Life Saving Society has particular focus on the languages Somali, Arabic and Serbo-Croatian.

The Swimming lessons will be held in public swimming pools, lakes and at summer camps around Sweden. Thanks to the project, 3500 children will learn how to swim during a period of two years. Additionally, at least one parent will be informed about the dangers associated with swimming and deep waters.

Read more at www.svenskalivräddningssällskapet.se.