Young Ukrainian Swimmer Dives Into New Job Thanks to Parkside Pools & Gym
An 18-year-old Ukrainian refugee is continuing her dream of working in the fitness industry, albeit far from home, thanks to local leisure business, Better, which has helped her step onto the first rung of her career ladder with a new job at its Parkside Pools & Gym in Cambridge.
Anastasiia (Nastya) Gablovska, who came to the UK with her mother in June is working at the leisure centre near to Cambridge University, as a part time recreation assistant. Her role includes lifeguarding at the 25 metre competition swimming pool, a sport close to Nastya’s heart, as she competed for her country in the European Junior Swimming Championships in 2020.
The role at Parkside Pools & Gym is Nastya’s first-ever job. She turned 18 in June and prior to the war had been studying coaching and general PE with the dream of becoming a teacher. Nastya has since applied to Anglia Ruskin University to study English, which she can attend alongside her job at Parkside.
Commenting on her new role, Nastya, said: “It’s been a tough time, but everyone has been kind and I feel a lot better now. My job keeps me busy and takes my mind off home, and it’s a good company with a really great team, so I’m happy.”
While Nastya’s mother has re-joined the rest of the family, in Ivano-Frankivsk, Western Ukraine, Nastya has taken advantage of a refugee membership initiative. The initiative launched by Better in May this year offers Ukrainian and other international refugees free Better Health Centre memberships and lessons. It was announced this week that the offer has been extended from three to six months and if recipients are still classified as refugees after this period, they will be eligible to transfer onto Better’s discounted concessionary membership scheme.
The scheme has been hugely popular in Cambridge with Parkside Pools and Gym setting up over 160 free memberships.
Parkside Pools & Gym General Manager, Steven Rayment, said: “We’re delighted to have Nastya as part of the team, and as a local business, proud to be supporting Ukrainians in need. We hope our membership initiative will encourage more to come along, be part of our community and enjoy their leisure time. There are also job opportunities here at Parkside Pools & Gym, and anyone interested is welcome to visit www.better.org.uk/jobs for more information.
Cambridge Parkside Pools & Gym is operated by Better, the charitable social enterprise. Anyone wishing to apply for the free refugee membership scheme should complete an online form at www.better.org.uk/supported-membership-scheme.