LEARNING to swim can be daunting enough — so imagine how tough it must be if you are deaf.

But now — thanks to Bolton group Ear 4 Kidz — a new set of lessons complete with a signing swimming teacher have been launched.

During the Easter break, five deaf children from across Bolton attended an intensive four-day course at Turton Pool to boost their skills.

Teaching the course was Joanne Walker-Wilton, who runs Tiddlers Swim School in Turton, Smithills and Blackburn, and has known sign language for more than 10 years.

She said: “Ear 4 Kidz explained to me how difficult it is to find lessons for deaf children, so I was more than happy to run the swimming lessons.

“It was also a great opportunity for me to be involved in teaching another group of deaf children.

“I already teach five deaf children at Tiddlers and me being able to sign benefits them greatly, not only with communication but with their confidence.

“I have had very positive feedback and I hope to offer similar courses in the future.”

Gaynor Cavanagh, whose four-year-old son was born severely deaf and attended the swimming sessions, said: “Finding a swimming teacher who signed was so difficult. Swimming pools are one of the worst environments for deaf children because they cannot wear their hearing aids and there is a lot of echo."

The mother-of-two, who is 37, added: “It is more important that deaf children are safe around water, because they may not hear warnings from lifeguards. As well as that, it was great he was able to have access to the experiences hearing children have.”  

Ear 4 Kidz, a group of families who aim to reduce the isolation of deaf and hearing impaired children, also organises weekly football sessions for deaf youngsters and their siblings and friends.

These take place on Sundays, at the dome at St Joseph's RC High School in Horwich 1.15pm and 2.15pm, and move to the Eddie Davies Academy in Lostock during the summer.

Jane Jones, founder and chairman of Ear 4 Kidz, said: “Ear 4 Kidz is making sport accessible for all deaf and hearing-impaired children in Bolton, with the help of local charities and organisations.

“Our weekly football sessions have also proved very successful and have helped the children build in confidence and improve their skills.

“The teams recently took part in under-13 and under-16 tournaments with the National Deaf Children’s Society.”

For more information on Ear 4 Kidz football go to ear4kidz.com or call Bolton Wanderers Community Trust on 01204 673790 and for more information on Tiddlers Swim School go to tiddlersswimschool.co.uk