Community story: A familiar place to swim, belong and keep going
07 May 2026
For Rachael Taylor‑Young, Atherstone Leisure Centre has been a constant presence for much of her adult life. Not just somewhere to exercise, but a familiar part of the week – a place to show up, switch off, and quietly work towards personal goals.
A place that became part of everyday life
Although originally from Tamworth, Rachael’s connection with Atherstone stretches back to the 1990s, when her first job was based in the town. She would often swim at the leisure centre during her lunch breaks. After meeting her husband, who is from the area, she moved to Atherstone in 2007, and the pool became firmly part of her routine.
“I’ve always enjoyed swimming,” Rachael says. “But for a long time, I could only manage a few lengths of front crawl before getting tired.”
Building confidence, one length at a time
That changed in 2012, when an ankle injury meant she had to avoid high‑impact exercise. Swimming became her way to stay active – and gradually, to challenge herself.
“I just kept practising,” she says. “I wanted to be able to swim front crawl without getting out of breath, and over the years I got there.”
For more than a decade, Rachael has swum at Atherstone several times a week, often early in the morning before work. Those regular swims became about more than fitness.
“Swimming makes me feel better in myself,” she explains. “It clears my head and gives me something positive to focus on. A big part of that was that Atherstone Leisure Centre was simply a nice place to be.”
Familiar faces and quiet friendships
Swimming regularly also brought a sense of connection. By going at the same times each week, Rachael began to recognise familiar faces and exchange greetings.
“You get to know people just by being there,” she says.
One casual conversation at the pool even led to new friendships beyond the leisure centre, with Rachael and a fellow swimmer meeting up to try open water swimming during the summer months.
“You kind of make friends through it,” she adds.
Swimming for something more
In October 2022, Rachael decided to use her time in the pool for a wider purpose by taking part in the Swim 4 St Giles charity challenge. Over the month, she swam 38.4 kilometres at Atherstone Leisure Centre and raised around £320 personally, contributing to more than £4,300 raised nationwide.
“It felt like something meaningful I could do,” she says. “I was already swimming regularly, and St Giles meant a lot to my family.”
The challenge proved motivating. In 2025, Rachael went on to swim nearly 348 kilometres over the course of the year – a quiet milestone that mattered to her.
“It felt like I’d genuinely achieved something,” she says.
Missing something that matters
Like many local swimmers, Rachael has felt the impact of the centre’s closure. While she has continued swimming elsewhere, it hasn’t replaced what she had locally.
“I can still swim, but it’s not the same,” she says. “I miss the pool, and I miss the people.”
Looking ahead, what she hopes for is simple.
“Just being able to swim at Atherstone again.”
Rachael shared her story through the Heart of Our Community website to show how important the leisure centre has been to her over many years. Her experience reflects the quieter role places like Atherstone Leisure Centre play: supporting everyday routines, personal progress, and the small moments that keep people going.
We want to hear your stories of Atherstone Leisure Centre and the Memorial Hall. Get in touch here.
Last updated:
Thursday, May 7, 2026
