Cotenda (incorporating Poolpod Products)

Cotenda – Empowering Aquatic Health and Rehabilitation

Cotenda develops advanced hydrotherapy solutions designed to remove physical and psychological barriers to water-based rehabilitation. At the core of their range is Poolpod 3.0, a world-leading platform lift that offers dignified, safe, and therapist-supported access to water—transforming aquatic therapy into a seamless, inclusive experience for patients and clinicians alike.

Designed with extensive stakeholder input and real-world clinical use in mind, Poolpod 3.0 allows therapists to accompany patients directly into the pool, whether using a wheelchair or seated on one of two integrated fold-down seats. This enables essential physical and emotional support from the very first step into the water—vital for patients with anxiety, neurological conditions, or post-operative limitations.

Unlike hoists or traditional pool access methods, Poolpod eliminates the need for uncomfortable and potentially hazardous poolside transfers. Instead, patients transfer in privacy and safety within the changing area into a purpose-built, submersible wheelchair. Once seated, no further transfers are required. This smooth process reduces staff intervention and preserves patient dignity—ideal for NHS, rehabilitation centres, and specialist clinics.

Key clinical features include:

Battery-powered electronic operation with a manual override, ensuring safety during any power failure.

Rapid portability, allowing the lift to be repositioned quickly for different therapies or pool configurations.

State-of-the-art safety sensors that ensure reliable, confident use by patients and staff alike.

User-controlled wristband access, giving greater independence to patients in later rehabilitation stages.

Poolpod 3.0 is shipped fully assembled, installs in under four hours, and is suitable for both new-builds and retrofits. It has been deployed in over 500 pools across five continents, helping thousands of users access the proven benefits of water-based therapy.

With 20% of UK adults living with a disability and over a million people waiting for joint operations, the demand for non-weight-bearing, low-impact exercise environments has never been higher. Hydrotherapy is clinically recognised for improving mobility, relieving pain, and accelerating recovery—and Cotenda is at the forefront of making it accessible.

Beyond Poolpod, Cotenda’s expanding product range includes:

Aquatilt – a tilt-in-space, pressure-relieving aquatic wheelchair for high-dependency users.

Aqua-Active – a self-propelled poolside and shower wheelchair with a sporty, dignified design.

Changing Pods – modular, hygienic changing solutions to complete the inclusive aquatic environment.

Whether you're equipping a hospital hydrotherapy suite, community rehab pool, or private clinic, Cotenda provides the tools to deliver world-class aquatic rehabilitation with confidence.

Designing for Inclusion. Engineering for Impact.

At Cotenda, we are driven by a team of visionary designers who blend artistic creativity with engineering precision. This unique combination allows us to develop products that not only function flawlessly but also enhance the built environment with elegant, inclusive design.

We believe assistive technologies should integrate seamlessly into public spaces—not stand apart from them. The very best design supports dignity, independence, and participation without compromise, and this philosophy is at the heart of everything we do.

Our focus is on sport, leisure, and rehabilitation, and our mission is simple:
To increase participation in physical activity, particularly among those who face the biggest barriers.
This includes inactive children, older adults at risk of losing mobility, and disabled people who are often excluded from mainstream health and leisure opportunities.

Our products—led by the internationally deployed Poolpod 3.0—are not only about accessibility; they are part of a broader preventative healthcare strategy. By enabling early, safe, and enjoyable access to physical activity, we help:

Delay or reduce the need for long-term care

Support recovery from injury and surgery

Promote mental wellbeing and social inclusion

Reduce health inequalities and associated costs for healthcare providers

This is more than design—it’s public health innovation.

We take a 360-degree, user-centred design approach, considering the full journey of the customer or patient—from changing rooms to pool access, and from independent use to assisted therapy. Every detail is considered to support transformative, measurable outcomes.

As a company with a clear social mission, we also recognise our wider responsibilities:

We are committed to Net Zero goals and support local woodland regeneration in the communities where we operate.

We run youth employment schemes in our home city of Glasgow, helping young people into skilled, meaningful work.

In 2025, 8% of our staff are disabled, reflecting our belief that inclusion starts at home.

At Cotenda, we design with purpose, build with integrity, and innovate for health.