'Using cold water to support teenagers and adults to manage their mental health'
Poor mental health is a growing epidemic in the UK. It affects every single one of us in some way and can have a huge impact on people's personal, family, community and work life.
Immersion in cold water has been proven to help people manage both their physical and mental well being. It helps people connect with nature, be social, be active in a non competitive way and the cold water itself can help reduce stress and anxiety, improve people's quality of sleep and increase their energy levels.
Whilst there is a thriving outdoor swimming community within the local community, the Wild Swim project aims to reach those people who whether for social economic, cultural or other reasons may not have the opportunity to benefit. We know there are many barriers to people taking part and we aim to remove them and offer equal opportunity to all.
The Wild Swim project is a series of dips led by Open Water Coaches and experienced swimmers, Jude and Paul. Over the sessions they introduce people to the delights of cold water, share knowledge about how to stay safe and support them to feel good about themselves.
People who attend the Wild Swim project courses are referred to us by their GP, social prescriber, mental health charity and they can also self refer.
We regularly collect data to support the benefits of The Wild Swim Project:
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Life satisfaction increased on average by 2.1 points,
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An average increase of 1.8 points in the level of how
‘ worthwhile things they do in life ’ are
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Their happiness level ‘yesterday’ increased on
average by 0.6 points.
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85% reported being less anxious at the end of the
course than at the start
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71% reported being more connected with nature at
the end of the course than at the start.
'The wild swim project has been one of the most enjoyable experiences of my life! I have met some wonderful people and I am finding the well being benefits extraordinary, including feeling calmer and happier. Thank you' - participant
The success of the Wild Swim project is very much founded in the support of the community around it. Whether that be in the amazing response to donating unwanted wetsuits and swimming gear for our ongoing work with CYPS (Surrey mental health support for children) or in welcoming tWSp participants to the wider swim community.
By donating what you can, we can offer more free places on the Wild Swim project, we can buy useful equipment, we can fund transport and we can pay lake fees as necessary.
How your donations could make a difference:
£1980 - fund a typical 4 week course for 12 people
£165 - fund someone to attend a full course
£41.25 - fund someone to attend one session
£20 - fund a pair of neoprene swim socks or
£8 - fund a typical lake entry fee
When you donate, we promise to keep you up to date with what is going on but we can't promise lots of social media as we put people's privacy first.
If you know how much wild swimming helps you, then consider supporting someone else to have the opportunity.
If you would like to know more people feel free to contact
Jude Palmer 07946 637584 or Paul Mackenzie 07930 304312
Founders of the Wild Swim project
email: embraceadventurescic@gmail.com
THANK YOU
