DiveInclusive, the Swindon-based charity dedicated to opening the world of scuba diving to underrepresented young people, has been named New Charity Initiative of the Year at the Southwest England Prestige Awards 2024/25.
The awards celebrate small and medium-sized businesses and organisations that have proven themselves to be the best in their market over the past 12 months. For DiveInclusive, this recognition marks an important milestone in a journey that only began in 2024 but has already made waves in the local community.
From its inception, DiveInclusive has been committed to breaking down barriers to scuba diving — a sport often seen as inaccessible — by providing free training, equipment, and certification opportunities to young people who might otherwise never experience the underwater world. Working in phases, the charity has already achieved landmark moments, including certifying its first-ever Junior Open Water Divers earlier this year.
“This award is not just for us,” said Feranmi Oduwole, founder of DiveInclusive. “It’s for every young person who has felt scuba diving wasn’t for them. Representation matters, and with the support of our incredible partners, we’re proving that the diving community is big enough for everyone.”
DiveInclusive’s work is made possible through partnerships with JC Scuba, SSI, Tile Energy, and most recently Topkidz — as well as the support of its growing network of donors and volunteers.
Looking ahead, the charity is continuing to roll out its Phase 2 expansion to include young carers, while maintaining its commitment to ethnic minority children and other underrepresented groups.
To learn more about DiveInclusive’s mission, training programmes, and how to support, visit www.diveinclusive.com
