Recent Nominations

I was referred to the centre by a physiotherapist on the GP referral scheme for chronic knee pain which might have needed operative intervention. Although I have been very fit in the past I had not taken exercise for three years. Gemma gave me an assessment and a programme of activity that she monitored. She encouraged me with her immense enthusiasm and commitment and suggested I join classes. I was uncertain at first as i was unfit and a little embarrassed. She provided me with huge support and I am now in a class most days. As a result my knee no longer requires intervention and my fitness is vastly improved. Gemma remains motivational and inspirational and greatly appreciated by everyone who attends that centre. She herself runs fun classes and motivates her staff to deliver a high quality service.

For all the teams support during the Postural Stability group. We are now on week 11 and all my patients feel very happy and comfortable to come to the leisure centre each week. Last week whilst it was raining very heavily, members of reception came out with umbrellas to escort the patients in ensuring they stayed dry. How wonderful !!Please pass on my thanks to all,Kind regards,Nicky Fuller

Would just like to take this opportunity to thank you and your staff for all the help given to me in providing the Postural Stability class. All the patients have commented on how welcoming and helpful every one is. I would like to draw particular attention to Lee, he has joined in with the patients exercise, thus making them feel less conscious of exercising. He has offered lots of encouragement and helped to increase patients confidence, with gentle praise and feedback. Most of all he is always happy and smiling, which is very reassuring to nervous or worried patients.He has quickly learnt when to assist a patient and when to stand back. It is a great help to any instructor to have an assistant with forethought, which Lee seems to have an abundance of.Many thanks for your continuing support,Nicky Fuller

Started a conversation with us - went out of his way to advise us on how to improve our exercise in the leisure centre. Friendly, helpful, an asset to your centre.

I was the instructor taking a BodyBalance class yesterday when there was a mix up with the customer bookings for the class. Just before the class started, Ronnie (receptionist) came in to the studio to speak to all of the customers. She apologised to all of them, on behalf of reception, for the mix up and said that she hoped that they all enjoyed their class. Ronnie went above and beyond what was expected of her and I was really impressed

We arrived for my sons first swimming lesson. She dealt with us with preofessionalism and calmly and ensured we had all the information we needed. Thank you

When taking my class bookings over the telephone, I could hear the smile in Ashlieghs voice as she efficiently confirmed my bookings back to me. When next visiting Catmose, she was behind the desk, again demonstrating excellent customer-service interface skills with her jolly, can-do attitude. Ashliegh will go far and is a merit to the team.

Trudy took us for Legs, Bums and Tums the first time at short notice - she was excellent.

Had Trudy for X-Biking. Excellent instructor. Enjoyed the programme. Hope she will be there every week.

Trudy took X-Biking tonight and she was brilliant. Very motivational and the music was brilliant. Well done Trudy

I would like to nominate Sarah because she has given my 11 year old so much confidence in the water he is a fantastic swimmer thanks to Sarah she has a fantastic way of explaining how to do something and she always praises them My son will have this life skill forever now well done Sarah for helping us over the years !

I recently enquired about moving from my current gym to Catmose - Sarah gave me a tour explained everything fully to me and really bowled me over with her enthusiasm and commitment, I explained the reasons for wanting to move and the reasons that I had for staying - your staff are the reason that I will move my gym membership - really well done and also to a lady called Paula - my reaction to my visit and to their support was WOW!

I am an occasional user of the Catmose swimming pool. During a visit in June I was doing some lengths and took a quick break. Sarah was in the pool at the same time and said hello, during our little chat Sarah made a few suggestions that she said could help me with my techinque. And was she right!! I felt an immediate improvement. I used her suggestions during my next visit and easily added 16 lengths to what I would normally swim. Sarah is a credit to both Stevenage Leisure and Catmose Sports Centre.

We would like to thank the backstage crew for everything they do to help in the building! They are not only working hard backstage and producing excellent shows they are always around to help when we need something, whether it be maintenance, first aid or general assistance with a problem! Not just for us but for everyone in the building!We very much appreciate all your hardwork and the amount you do for us as well! Thank you!!!

The Management at SALC would like to nominate Sarah and Nigel for their quick reactions to a very unfortunate first aid where a man suffered a heart attack whilst playing squash. All staff were fantastic in helping anyway that they could but particularly Sarah and Nigel who administered CPR to the the gentleman and managed to get his heart beating again before paramedics arrived. Well done for being so professional all the staff and the gentleman and his friend im sure are so grateful to you both!

I do work for Stevenage Leisure but on this occasion i was a customer as it was a birthday party for my little boy, Ben really made an effort with the children and encouraged them to play, he also kept the boisterous children away from the smaller children, He was great fun and even got the Adults involved that were shying away in the corner. it could have quite easily been really stressful but thanks to Bens customer focused personality and awareness of the safety of the children It was a really great party.

I would like to compliment Jamie my Grandaughters Swimming Instructor. He is excellent and thorough and takes the time to explain and demonstrate things. He also takes the time to talk to the family and pass on information and praise.

Dan takes the adult swimming lessons on a Wednesday evening at 1900 hours. He has a diverse age range and ability in the class. He sets targets for each member of the team individually providing guidance and progresses each with skill and good humour. Being over 50 it is so refreshing to be treated equally and with respect with the assumption from Dan that I can and want to learn and progress. When he happens to see you at other times at the pool he takes the opportunity to reinforce your target and provides support and guidance with his professional, calm approach. What a polite, talented teacher who is always professional, good humoured and polite, a credit to Stevenage Swimming Pool.

I bring all of my KS2 classes to their swimming lessons throughout the year and the facility is always clean. The staff are fantastic with the pupils and the progression with most of the pupils is brilliant. Stevenage Swimming Centre is a helpfull, friendly place.

Receptionists are always friendly and very helpfull. The steam room is also great.

Great job in organising and running the free event afternoon, kept working with kids all the time. Thank you

Alistair Gibbs, from Campton Lower school, plays rugby for Ampthill Rugby Club under 11s. At the end of March his rugby club went on their annual tour. As part of their leisure time, the boys were swimming in a pool. Unnoticed by adults or lifeguards a toddler had fallen into the pool and was drowning. Alistair dived into the pool and pulled the boy to the surface. He then took him straight to an adult in the pool, who quickly realised the boys life was in serious danger. The small boy was unconscious but managed to be resusitated by one of the rugby dads who was an off duty fire-fighter. There is no doubt that this little boy would not be here today if Alistair had not acted in the way that he did. Alistair had attended Swimming lessons with Campton Lower school at Saxon Pool and Leisure Centre, where the teachers had taught him to "pencil dive" and thats exactly what he did and saved this little boys life. Alistairs parents and school are very proud of him and we think Saxon Pool should be proud too, for teaching children life saving skills.

I would like to Nominate Joe for a wow award as he is always friendly and chatty when I have my disabled swimming lessons on a saturday. He also encourages me and makes me feel not so worried about getting into the water.

Sarah & the lifeguards have worked extremely hard over the last weeks in the searing heat of the air temperature of the swimming pool. It really does feel like a furnice. Also Sarah is going to be taking a few AquaFit classes, a refreshing change for us as Sarah used to teach them. We welcome exercising in the deep end for longer. Thanks for the sun cream Sarah. Keep up the good work as always, many thanks

The children thoroughly enjoyed their lessons this term and gained much from each lesson. My TA and I were very impressed by the teaching and the way you enabled the children to "move on" and have fun at the same time. The children have all written individual letters to the teachers to thank them!