Body conscious women who find it impossible to swim in mixed sex pools have been thrown a lifeline by community interest company Brio Leisure.

Brio has launched new female only modesty classes targeting women prevented from using public pools through religious beliefs, those embarrassed by body issues or women who find it uncomfortable swimming in the same pool as men, based on increased customer demand.

Initially the modesty sessions will take place at Brio’s EPIC’s Leisure Centre in Ellesmere Port, but if the classes prove popular there are plans to investigate the provision of similar sessions at the company’s other sites..

The idea follows discussions between Brio managers and staff from Cheshire, Halton and Warrington Race and Equality Centre.

EPIC manager Jon Kelly and Equality Centre Community Development Worker Linda Lee-Parker came up with the modesty class scheme after they were approached by Ellesmere Port’s Turkish Association Women’s Group.

“The women wanted to learn to swim but were unable to use our facilities on religious grounds, which prevent them from being seen by men without their bodies being covered,” explained Jon.

“We researched what was happening in other countries and in some parts of the UK where single sex sessions were taking place and we were able to come up with a solution to address the issues they had. We also helped the Association source a special swimming costume, nicknamed a Burkini, which completely covers the wearer from head to foot,” he added.

Brio were able to fit curtains to windows around their swimming pool that were open to passers by, to provide additional seclusion during the sessions and were able to adjust staff shift patterns to ensure that female staff were on pool duty.

“Brio was established with the interests of all members of the community at its heart. We feel the modesty classes overcome a real difficulty for a specific number of women who for a variety of reasons are unable to use our facilities to the full,” said Cllr Bob Crompton, chair of the board at Brio, which was established by Cheshire West and Chester Council to run sports and leisure facilities across the authority’s catchment area.

“Ideas such as the modesty sessions also prove cost-effective, because they allow us to attract particular interest groups to our centres at times when the programme can accommodate it,” he added.

Mum of two Fatma Huyuk Goker, whose family has lived in Ellesmere Port for 25 years, said she was delighted to see the creation of the modesty sessions which run on a Friday morning between 9am and 10am.

“Islamic custom is that men and women swim separately. My religious beliefs as a Muslim also mean that I prefer to be fully covered when I am in the presence of a man who is not my husband. Not all Muslim women feel the same way because not every Muslim follows the Koran to the letter in the same way that not every Christian fully follows the teachings of the Bible.

“But that’s my beliefs and we had lots of Turkish women in the association who felt the same. They wanted to learn to swim but could not because the facilities were not appropriate. Now we’ve bought 20 Burkinis and we are really enjoying the sessions. The costumes are just the same material as a normal swimsuit so there’s no health and safety issues although we do all look like penguins when we are together!

“Brio has been really supportive and we hope that the classes prove popular with a wide range of women, whether they are other Muslims facing the same issues as we did or British women who for a number of reasons are conscious about their bodies in some way,” added Fatma.

Cllr Crompton added: “This may have begun as a way of assisting a minority group in Ellesmere Port but it has also highlighted the need to provide facilities for all women who feel uncomfortable in mixed use pools. We want Brio to be all inclusive and these sessions are no different from others we provide for other specific sections of our communities, whether that’s classes for pregnant women, children or pensioners,”

Emel Huyuk, 25, who has two young children is hoping the swim sessions will also open up increased leisure opportunities for her family.

“I am looking forward to taking my children swimming too. A lot of British women of my age can already swim so I have some catching up to do,” she said.

The women are also hoping Brio will investigate expanding the modesty classes into other areas other than the pool, such as gym and fitness sessions.

“At the moment we just hope we will be accepted and that other women, whatever their race or beliefs, will join in. If they are successful then opportunities to extend the number of sessions may come,” said Fatma.

“Women don’t need to wear a Burkini to participate, although they are welcome to try the suits if they wish to cover themselves. As people who have moved to the area sometimes it’s difficult not to feel a little isolated in the community so we just want and need ladies to come along whether they want to learn to swim or just want to keep fit,” she added.

Serkan Huyuk, chairman of the Ellesmere Port Turkish Assosiation, said the sessions were creating new opportunities for women to improve their fitness and health.

“We hope the demand for women-only sessions grows and that additional sessions can be offered in the future,” he added.

For more information on the modesty swim, please contact EPIC reception on 0151 355 6432