September marks a decade of specialist physiotherapy sessions supporting children with disabilities at Armley Leisure Centre.
The sessions are the work of a partnership between Leeds-based children’s disability charity Little Hiccups and specialist paediatric physiotherapy practice PT Kids.
Over the past decade the collaborative programme has delivered 27 seven-week hydrotherapy blocks, transforming the lives of more than 320 local children with complex physical and additional needs.
Hosted on Saturday afternoons at Armley Leisure Centre, the specialist sessions provide accessible, warm-water physiotherapy for children living with cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, spinal conditions, brain injuries, and rare genetic diagnoses.
Unlike conventional therapy models, parents and carers get directly into the pool alongside two specialist paediatric physiotherapists. This hands-on structure allows parents to learn safe handling, movement, and aquatic techniques under expert guidance, building lasting confidence and therapeutic skills while giving children a rare opportunity to move freely without the constraints of gravity.
Hannah Davies, whose son Cai lives with spinal muscular atrophy and scoliosis, credit the sessions with preserving his quality of life and mobility while he awaits spinal surgery.
She said: “Cai massively benefited from the hydro sessions. He has scoliosis and is on the list for spinal surgery, but the hope is to maintain his flexibility to postpone surgery as long as possible so he can remain on a clinical trial. I honestly believe this block of hydro has bought us at least six more months.
“It has loosened painful contractures, increased his arm strength so he can self-propel his wheelchair further, and he’s regained the ability to roll over. To Cai, this isn’t medical treatment—it is pure joy. He goes to bed on Friday excited for swimming.”
For other families, the specialised facilities provide an essential gateway to activities that are otherwise completely out of reach. Audrey, who has a tracheostomy, had been unable to access school swimming for two years.
Louise Frantzich, Audrey’s mother, said: “Audrey’s legs and arms are very stiff, so the warm water and gentle exercise in a quiet pool with physio help is amazing. Due to her tracheostomy, accessing swimming simply wasn’t possible for two years, so having hoist facilities and a setting suitable for complex medical needs has been incredible. She works hard, but she has so much fun.”
To keep the programme fully accessible to families facing the high cost of disability, Little Hiccups subsidises the vast majority of the programme, charging £35 per family for an entire seven-week block.
However, as demand grows and waiting lists continue to lengthen across West Yorkshire, the charity is calling on local businesses, trusts, and individual donors to help secure the long-term future of the service.
With Little Hiccups receiving no statutory government funding, the continuation of these sessions relies entirely on charitable grants and voluntary donations.
- To discuss corporate partnerships, grant support, or to donate, visit the Little Hiccups website or contact info@littlehiccups.co.uk.
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