Community groups can now book a hydrotherapy pool on Dyke Road

A hydrotherapy pool on Dyke Road that was shut from 2020 until last year is now taking bookings from outside groups. The Third Space, at 287 Dyke Road, is run by Achieve together^1,2, which supports people with learning disabilities and autism. It has opened the pool and its activity space to community groups, charities, support organisations and care providers across Brighton and Sussex.

The pool was built in 1985 and closed during the pandemic in 2020. Throughout 2025 Achieve together renovated it, with a new roof and flooring, redesigned changing rooms and hoisting equipment, and a new plant room to manage water quality. The Third Space opened in its current form in 2025, at first for people the organisation supports in its homes across Sussex.

The warm-water pool has hoist access, and the building has accessible changing facilities and wheelchair access. Alongside the pool is an activity space that groups can use for workshops, training sessions, support groups and community events.

Laurie Finn, a registered home manager at Achieve together, managed the day service and the pool from 2000 to 2011. “I’ve seen first-hand the life-changing impact hydrotherapy can have for people with profound and multiple learning disabilities,” Finn said.

Vicky Attenborough, Achieve together’s operations director for the south, said: “By opening bookings to community organisations, we hope even more people can benefit from this unique and inclusive facility.”

Achieve together’s page for the venue says it also takes private pool bookings, and lists people with spinal injuries and physical rehabilitation needs among those it supports. It has not published prices. To make a booking, Achieve together sends people to that page, which has an enquiry form.

Sussex World has also reported the opening of community bookings.