Compass Wellbeing, a community facility run by Taunton-based charity Compass Disability Services, welcomed Gideon Amos MP as part of the latest fundraising efforts to save its hydrotherapy

pool.

The fully-accessible pool, used by almost 100 people each week, is at risk of closure if urgent repairs are not carried out.

Michelle Edwards, centre manager, gave Mr Amos a tour of the facilities, and spoke about why the pool is so important.

“As the only publicly bookable hydrotherapy pool in the area, we are relied upon by a lot of people and fully booked until January.

“Our users often do not feel comfortable at other pools, whether that be because of the noise, accessibility, expected behaviours, or temperature difference in and out of the pool.

“Hydrotherapy is so important for pain management, rehabilitation, and emotional regulation, it also provides that feeling of being free.”

Michelle shared that fundraising efforts have been going well, thanks to support from the local community.

She added: “We’ve raised £12,000 out of the £35,000 target, so we are a third of the way there.

“The response from the community and local businesses has been amazing and it has given us the confidence that we will be able to hit the target.

“We just want to keep pushing to ensure that the hydrotherapy pool stays open, and continues to provide an essential service for our community”

Gideon Amos expressed his support for the charity in its fundraising efforts.

“Seeing the space and hearing about how booked up it is, clearly everything possible needs to be done to stop the pool closing," he said.

“Michelle and the rest of the team are doing an amazing job, and there is far more to Compass than just the hydro pool.

“I will be doing everything I can to support Compass through working with local businesses and looking for grant opportunities.”

The fundraising page for the hydrotherapy pool can be found here: Save our Hydropool! - JustGiving