About Little Dolphins

At Little Dolphins, babies develop water confidence and specific skills to move towards independent swimming, through our carefully developed Swim Programme. Little Dolphin classes are based in several locations throughout Cheltenham and the West Midlands in lovely warm pools. Helen Whittle was the founder of Little Dolphins in 2003.

Our Teachers

Gemma Dickens MIOS FIOS

Gemma was given the opportunity to purchase Little Dolphins in 2012. Gemma has been teaching swimming for over 10 years. She is a qualified ASA level 2 swimming teacher and continues her professional development in ASA cpd’s. Gemma also holds the RLSS National Pool Lifeguard qualification. She has experience working with many ages and abilities.
“It is very rewarding being in a business that allows me to get to know lovely people and their babies and to give them back afterwards!”

Email: gemma@littledolphins.co.uk

Donna

I have always enjoyed swimming and thought it was an important skill for my children to learn. I loved watching their lessons but didn’t think about teaching myself until I was asked to help out in the water in August 2015. I quickly got the bug and after gaining lots of poolside experience I completed the last part of my ASA Teaching Aquatics qualification at the beginning of 2017. I am enjoying being part of the Little Dolphins team.

Email: donna.littledolphins@gmail.com

Charmain

I am a proud mom of 3. I began swim lessons with my youngest when she was 2 months old. To see her enjoy swimming so much and watching her confidence build week on week has been a fantastic reward. I feel allowing children the opportunity to learn to swim is very important life skill which I am proud to be part of.

Jessica

Charlotte

Hello! I’m charlotte, swimming has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. I started swimming at 4, as I got older I got into competitive swimming which allowed me to swim around the country. From 13, I used to volunteer at my school pool helping children develop a skill I’m really passionate about. As soon as I turned 16 I knew getting my ASA level 1 teaching qualification was something I wanted to do. Ever since then I’ve been working as a swimming teacher at local schools sharing my love for swimming from those who have never stepped foot in a pool to those wanting to excel in the sport.

Gary

Hello I’m Gary a step dad of two boys who love the water as much as I do. I have been working along side Gemma for a few months gaining confidence to teach. Teaching swimming is so rewarding and I have recently passed my level 1 and looking forward to sitting my level 2 very soon.

Katie

When Katie was much younger the Wyre Forest Swimming club was a big part of her life and butterfly was her favourite stroke. Swimming has always been a huge part of her life and teaching others gives her a great sense of achievement! Katie offers 121 lessons at Hurcott Spa Pool to all ages and abilities. Katie’s talent doesn’t end, she does risk assessments, trains other lifeguards, and keeps us all updated.

Annaliese

I’ve been teaching swimming for 4 years and I really enjoy teaching parents the skills and techniques from Little Dolphins carefully designed lesson plans. It’s so important to teach swimming from a very young age as it is a lifesaving skill. I’m a level 2 swimming teacher, baby trained, I also have NRASTC qualification.

Hayley

Hi, my name is Hayley. My passion in life is to teach children to swim, be safe in the water and have fun! My daughter has been with Little Dolphins since she was 3 months old and is still going strong now 5 years old.

Mia

Abi

Hello, I’m Abi. I’ve been swimming with little dolphins for as long as I can remember. It has always been a constant in my life, so when it came to choosing something to do for the volunteering section of my DofE, helping out teaching the classes just seemed natural. I achieved my level 2 swim teacher qualification with the STA in the summer of 2021 and have loved being able to put it into practice. It’s been so rewarding seeing the children progress and fall more in love with the sport!

Lottie

With a background in SEN education, I met many children who were afraid to try swimming due to the environment, lack of confidence for both parent and child and generally worried about the unknown. when I became a SEN teacher it was very clear to me that one of the first skills that all children needed to learn was how to swim. Swimming is the only sport that you can teach a child that could potentially save their life. I loved being in the water and decided that if I could help others enjoy their lessons then that was what I should do.