THE Greek symbol representing freedom in water is the apt logo adopted at Malvern's Osborne Court for its new hydrotherapy pool.

Apt because the specially-designed pool really does help some people to achieve a freedom they could never gain out of water.

Imagine spending most of your day in a restrictive wheelchair without the ability to have a good stretch or even move yourself into a different position. Suddenly, you are lifted out of that chair into a gorgeously warm pool where, because your body is so well supported, you can move your arms and legs effortlessly.

This is the miracle that the new hydrotherapy pool helps people perform every day.

The pool is part of a £650,000 scheme which includes a respite care centre for children with learning and physical disabilities.

Vicky Leathwood, hydrotherapy pool co-ordinator, said the pool is used by a core group of children and adults who are profoundly disabled or have learning disabilities. Other users include people with Parkinson's Disease, people with post-operative injuries and groups from Malvern Community Hospital and the Social Education Centre in Geraldine Road.

But anyone with a condition for which hydrotherapy is a proven benefit can access the pool.

"We've had people ringing up asking to book the pool for children's parties but that's not what this pool is for," said Vicky.

The hydrotherapy pool is a world apart from a normal swimming pool.

For a start its temperature is a constant 35-36C body temperature, so there is no chance of users getting cold.

And there is a special light and sound system which changes the water colour from blue to green, to orange and pink while images of bubbles and dolphins play across the water and over the walls. This makes for an uplifting, stimulating and relaxing environment which is a far cry from a normal public swimming pool.

"You can put people into that pool who, on land, can't move but in the water they have their freedom," said Vicky.

"Every day something will happen that makes you think, 'gosh, that's wonderful'.

"In a regular swimming pool you have to be a competent swimmer really, plus it's noisy, it's cold so unless you're competent where's the pleasure? People with physical and learning disabilities also get stared at. When they come here there's just a small group and they immediately relax. When you're in the water it's just like floating, it's a lovely feeling."

Another important aspect of the pool is that it makes a stay at the respite centre a really exciting and fun experience.

Hilary Raitt, nurse manager, said that very often parents who bring their children to stay feel a sense of guilt at leaving their children behind.

"We want to make their stay here really special and fun and that's the crucial thing which is why the hydrotherapy pool really helps. If the children didn't enjoy coming here it would make that sense of guilt a hundred times worse," she said.

The new respite care centre follows similar principles to the hydrotherapy pool.

Every design element has been carefully thought out, such as the bath which elevates to allow easy access and the large, lockable toy cupboards.

Hilary explained that physically dependent children have different needs to those of children with challenging behaviour, so they need to provide environments that suit both groups.

"We're really happy with the end result and the parents think it's fabulous," she said.

But perhaps most importantly she said the children and adults who use their new pool and respite bungalow think they're brilliant.