Values and Vision Roadshows provide key insights for revised strategy

Valuable insight gathered from Swim England’s ‘refreshing’ Values and Vision Roadshows is helping to shape a revised version of the national governing body’s strategy.

Hundreds of people attended the 26 workshops which took place at 13 locations up and down the country in May, June and July.

They were held following the publication of the Listening Report and aimed to clarify a vision for aquatic sports in England, a purpose for Swim England as an organisation and the values by which it wishes to operate in the future.

Swim England’s insight team, in addition to an independent expert, have collated the findings of the roadshows and the findings will be used to create a refreshed strategy which will be published later this year.  The outputs are also available to download here.

Delegates attended from all aquatic disciplines and included volunteers, club committee members, coaches, technical officials, team managers, parents, event organisers, county and regional representatives, operators plus Swim England staff.

They were asked for the views on what makes them proud, their key values, what changes were required and Swim England’s role in leading that.

Emma Malcolm, a member at Thetford Dolphins since she was seven, and now a coach at the club, attended the Norwich roadshow.

She said: “I was expecting it to be quite informative, which it was.

“I thought it was going to be quite a lot of heavy talking but it was really interactive. We were able to sit down, do the task and it wasn’t too time constrained.

“We had the freedom to talk to other people and get to know them as well.

“When I came into it, I was a little bit nervous to voice my opinions but I grew into the atmosphere, and it was really welcoming.

“Everyone was lovely and I noticed there was quite a lot of similar opinions as well in there, so it kind of made me feel a bit more welcome.

“But it was reinforced to us multiple times that we were able to speak how freely we’d like to about everything.”

Extremely grateful

Karen, from the City of Norwich Swim Club and Norwich Penguins, added: “I was expecting a presentation or to be told what was coming in the next five years whereas in fact, it was a really informative opportunity to discuss individuals’ values and how that can be brought within Swim England.

“It’s really refreshing and really nice that members of the senior team came and introduced themselves – and I felt really welcome.

“Anything could be said. We were all incredibly candid. Everybody’s viewpoint was valid and what was really nice and refreshing I was able to speak to people without barriers.”

Andy Salmon, Swim England chief executive, was delighted with the response from the aquatics community and thanked them for their valuable contributions.

“The roadshows really exceeded our expectations,” said Andy.

“The Listening Report made for tough reading for everyone involved in aquatics but also highlighted a huge opportunity to change for the better – and the roadshows were an important element of that.

“From the very start, we received some fantastic inputs and insight and it was pleasing to see so much positivity and passion at every venue.

“We wanted people to be honest and hear their vision for the future and that was certainly the case from everyone who attended.

“We’re now working towards the publication of a revised strategy and the outputs, along with insight gathered from a variety of other stakeholders, will enable us to move forward with confidence and a really strong sense of change for the better.

“I’d like to thank everyone who attended the roadshows for their frank opinions and fully embracing this valuable process.

“We couldn’t have done it without you and are extremely grateful for your worthwhile views.”

To view the roadshow outputs, please click here.

The refreshed Swim England strategy will be published later in 2024.