Elham and Michael at the opening of a teaching pool with school staff and children

Our work

Skills to learn. Space to play. Confidence to grow.

Elham and Michael's support helps children and young people learn through swimming education, swim instructor training, safe play, and early technology and robotics programmes.

Teaching pool opening

Selected work since 2022

Projects we have helped support.

Building on the commitment Elham and Michael began in Gil's memory, we have contributed to the following swimming, safe play and technology learning initiatives across Europe and Africa.

Dates refer to project milestones or activity periods. Project reports provide background; descriptions of our involvement are Gilly&Rob’s own account.

Swimming and water safety

Pools, repairs and maintenance that create or protect opportunities to learn in the water.

South Africa · May 2022

Survival swimming at Riebeek Kasteel

Centre opened and lessons delivered

At Meiring Primary School, a swimming pool inside a converted shipping container brought survival swimming lessons onto the school grounds. The centre opened in May 2022, giving children a place to practise floating, controlled breathing and moving through the water.

Our involvement

We contributed to the effort behind this school-based survival swimming initiative.

Project organisation: National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI)

NSRI project report

South Africa · August–September 2022

Bringing survival swimming to Tombo

Centre delivered and lessons started

NSRI delivered its second container-based Survival Swimming Centre to Noah-Christian Academy in Tombo in August 2022. Lessons began in September, bringing practical water safety learning to pupils and teachers in a community with limited access to swimming facilities.

Our involvement

We contributed to the wider effort to bring this survival swimming opportunity to Tombo.

Project organisation: NSRI / Noah-Christian Academy

NSRI delivery and teaching report

Senegal · 2022

A social swimming pool in Thiaroye

Pool construction completed

The social pool project in Thiaroye, on the outskirts of Dakar, created a setting for children to learn to swim. Construction was completed in 2022. The project brought together a charitable foundation, industry contributors and the local educational community.

Our involvement

We contributed to the collective effort behind this children’s swimming project.

Project organisation: Fluidra Foundation and local project participants

Fluidra annual report

United Kingdom · 2022–May 2023

Restoring Rougham’s school swimming pool

Refurbishment and reopening

Rougham’s school community restored an ageing pool through a refurbishment that included pipework, filtration improvements, a new heat pump, pool lining and work around the pool. The school recorded its grand reopening in May 2023 after progress updates through late 2022 and early 2023.

Our involvement

We contributed to the community effort to restore the pool for children’s swimming education.

Project organisation: Rougham C of E Primary School and its PTA

School refurbishment and reopening record

United Kingdom · 2022

Keeping swimming available at Stapleford

Pool maintenance supported

Following the school pool’s earlier overhaul, community fundraising continued to support maintenance and running costs. The organisers specifically recorded support for pool maintenance in 2022, helping preserve a familiar place for children’s swimming and physical activity.

Our involvement

We contributed to the community support for maintaining the school’s swimming facilities.

Project organisation: Stapleford Community Primary School / Stapleford Fun Run

Community fundraising expenditure record

United Kingdom · June 2022

Supporting Findon’s pool repair appeal

Fundraising round completed

Findon’s volunteer-led pool appeal raised funds towards specialist repairs and a replacement pool lining so that local children could continue learning to swim. The fundraising round completed in June 2022, bringing together supporters of the school and its community pool.

Our involvement

We contributed to the fundraising effort for this pool repair project.

Project organisation: Findon Swimming Pool / St John the Baptist C of E Primary School community

Completed 2022 fundraising round

Safe places to play

Community spaces where children can move, meet friends and enjoy time outdoors.

United Kingdom · 2023

A renewed playground at South Avenue Park

New playground opened

New play equipment at South Avenue Park in Spondon created fresh opportunities for children to play and be active. The 2023 project combined public funding with contributions raised by community groups, local businesses, schools and charitable supporters.

Our involvement

We contributed to the shared effort behind the playground improvement project.

Project organisation: Derby Parks and Friends of South Avenue Park

Derby Parks opening announcement

Kenya · August 2022

Securing a school playground in Kenya

Playground land purchase completed

When rented play space was no longer available, Empowering Kids in Kenya raised funds to buy land for the school playground. The purchase completed in August 2022, followed by secure fencing, giving children a dedicated place for breaks, play and physical education.

Our involvement

We contributed to the effort to secure this school playground for children.

Project organisation: Empowering Kids in Kenya

Charity’s playground purchase report

Early technology and robotics

Practical learning that gives children room to experiment, build and discover.

Finland · Academic year 2024–2025

Making robotics approachable with Aalto Junior

School workshops delivered

Aalto Junior brought robotics and visual programming workshops into schools during the 2024–2025 academic year. Pupils explored technology through friendly educational robots and practical tasks. The university’s report credits Weisell Foundation funding for this school workshop programme.

Our involvement

We contributed to support for this robotics learning initiative for children and young people.

Project organisation: Aalto University Junior

Aalto University workshop report

Uganda · 2023

Hands-on science and robotics with Fundi Bots

School and holiday learning delivered

Fundi Bots delivered practical science and robotics learning through school activities, teacher support and holiday programmes in 2023. Children explored how things work by building, testing and solving problems, connecting classroom ideas with experiences they could try for themselves.

Our involvement

We contributed to the wider support for Fundi Bots’ practical learning programmes.

Project organisation: Fundi Bots

Fundi Bots 2023 annual report

Mali · 2022

Exploring robotics through RobotsMali

STEM camp and school activities delivered

RobotsMali’s 2022 programme included a STEM and robotics camp and introductory activities in schools. Children and young people explored visual programming, educational robot kits and practical science through activities designed to encourage curiosity and problem-solving.

Our involvement

We contributed to support for the children’s robotics and STEM learning activities.

Project organisation: RobotsMali

RobotsMali 2022 education report
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01 / Swimming education

Learning to swim with confidence

We support the establishment of teaching pools and opportunities for children to learn to swim.

Swimming education holds a special place in Gilly&Rob's story. In memory of Gil, Elham and Michael have contributed to the establishment of teaching pools. This work aims to give children suitable places to develop swimming skills, water awareness and confidence through guided learning.

Discuss a project
Illustrative image

02 / Instructor training

Supporting those who teach

We support the training of swimming instructors who help children learn with knowledgeable guidance and care.

Access to swimming education depends on the people who teach it. Elham and Michael have supported swim instructor training as part of their commitment to children's education and wellbeing. The aim is to strengthen the guidance available to young learners as they build skills and confidence in the water.

Discuss a project
Illustrative image

03 / Safe playgrounds

Space to play and grow

We contribute to safe playgrounds where children can be active, play together and discover new abilities.

Play is an important part of childhood. Through Gilly&Rob, Elham and Michael have contributed to the development of safe playgrounds. These spaces support children's wellbeing and give them opportunities to move, explore and learn through play.

Discuss a project
Illustrative image

04 / Technology and robotics

Discovering technology early

We support early technology and robotics education, helping children explore how things work and what they can create.

Gilly&Rob supports opportunities to introduce children to technology and robotics from a young age. These learning experiences aim to encourage curiosity, practical problem-solving and confidence with technology, giving young learners a starting point for skills they can continue to develop.

Discuss a project

Swimming education

Places to begin.

Teaching pools create spaces for children to learn, build confidence and enjoy the water with trained support.

Elham and Michael at an outdoor teaching pool opening in an African highland school setting

An outdoor school pool

A school pool opening in an African highland setting.

Elham and Michael welcoming children at the opening of a covered coastal swimming centre in Africa

A coastal community swimming centre

Welcoming the first class at a covered coastal pool in Africa.

Education and wellbeing

A commitment made practical.

Generous contributions support facilities, instruction and learning opportunities for children and educational centres.

01

Practical contributions

Facilities and learning opportunities

Elham and Michael have provided substantial financial support for teaching pools, swim instructor training, safe playgrounds, and early technology and robotics education.

02

Education and wellbeing

Supporting children as they grow

Our work connects children's opportunities to learn with their health and wellbeing: confidence in the water, active play and the discovery of new skills.

03

Europe and Africa

Supporting educational centres

Through Gilly&Rob, Elham and Michael have supported children and educational centres across Europe and Africa, helping make facilities, instruction and learning opportunities possible.

Support for children

Let’s talk about opportunities to learn.

Contact us about a school, educational centre or idea for supporting children’s education and wellbeing.

Contact us