Outdoor swimming – weekly sessions

Thursdays 1pm to 2.30pm leaving from the Hub.

Across the UK each week, Mental Health Swims, a peer support community host dozens of free, inclusive and safe swim meets for people who wouldn’t otherwise have the confidence or know how to get into the water. As part of this, we run our own weekly wellbeing social swims throughout the year.

Also, once a month, we run ‘Dip with a Doc’ where a local GP joins us for an outdoor swim.

There are many benefits to be gained from outdoor swimming, for the physical body and also the mind.

• It is a low impact form of exercise with the water providing natural resistance for the muscles and also support for the body.

• It boosts our immune system, improves circulation and the newest research is linking cold water to reduced levels of inflammation, which is believed to be the root cause of most chronic disease.

Getting out into the fresh air and water helps lift our mood. It shocks us into feeling something very intensely, which forces us to notice what is going on in our body. This is really important for regulating our mood and shifting us from anxiety to calmness. It connects us to nature and gives us a huge natural high. It challenges us and makes us face fears, giving a huge sense of achievement.

People attending the group have said this about their experience of swimming:

“It was amazing, I never would’ve believed I would manage it. It felt great and I slept really well”

“I’m so proud of myself. I didn’t manage to get in last week, but Cat stayed with me and encouraged me, and I got in this time”

“I feel great, it makes you feel alive”

To join in the session please contact Cat Robertson our Wellbeing Co-ordinator by email : catriona.robertson@theripple.org.uk or pop into The Ripple