We're still collecting donations
On the 9th March 2024 we'd raised £819 with 27 supporters in 28 days. But as every pound matters, we're continuing to collect donations from supporters.
Please help us train up more coaches for our amazing free community sea swim training. Help us to help others.
by Martha in Falmouth, Cornwall, United Kingdom
On the 9th March 2024 we'd raised £819 with 27 supporters in 28 days. But as every pound matters, we're continuing to collect donations from supporters.
We are very keen to expand the number of volunteer coaches we have. But the official course to become a coach costs £475. We would love to support the seven people who have offered in some way. More money would really help us offer a wider service to the many people who need it in our area.
The free sea swim coaching offered by Gylly Wellbeing Swimmers in Cornwall is an extremely popular community resource. So popular that we now need to train up more volunteer coaches. Seven people have kindly offered to become coaches but they need to tick all the official boxes by taking the open water swim teaching course run by the Swimming Teachers Association. The course costs £475 - we would love to pay some of these costs for the volunteers. Please help us to help the community.
Who are we?
The aim of Gylly Wellbeing Swimmers is to help people in our community swim safely and competently in the sea and improve their mental and physical wellbeing. We are also a wellbeing hub, with meditation, yoga, art classes and social events offered. Our values are altruism, connectivity and inclusivity. Founder, Nick Banfield started the group in 2019, there are now over 900 members on our facebook page.
Sea swim training
Everything we offer is free to users. Our qualified swim coaches now run over 50 training sessions in the sea every year for beginner, intermediate, and advanced groups. Coaches are all volunteers, some are trained lifeguards too. Last year we also supported a woman with Down's Syndrome to complete a one-mile charity swim- read about it here https://planetradio.co.uk/pirate-fm/local/news/falmouth-charity-swim-girl-down-syndrome-rnli/.
Post-pandemic isolation:
Many people are still finding it difficult to get out and about after Covid-19. Our inclusive and gentle approach offers much support to members on their sea-swimming and wellbeing journey.
Testimonials
Our members say the sea training and other activities are extremely beneficial:
T, Gylly Wellbeing member:
“I am slowly getting more confident and get a lot out of being immersed in cold water. I also attended the wellbeing course and can now see a positive future developing. I am extremely grateful to Oskar and Nick for their encouragement and recommend the club to most people I speak with.”
L, Gylly Wellbeing member:
“I joined Gylly Wellbeing because I’d been isolated for a long time and needed to find a way to connect with people again. The group has helped me in many ways, not just by the obvious benefits of swimming in the sea each day, but more importantly, by forming positive connections and being part of a wider community. The open water swim coaching sessions have been very helpful, including confidence in the sea sessions to learn how to be safely in the sea. There are also weekly yoga classes, and an excellent six-week wellbeing programme. In all, the group has proved invaluable to me on my own personal journey to recovery. Thank you so much to Nick and team for your ongoing support.”
K, Gylly Wellbeing member.
“I can honestly say it’s been a positive turning point in my life. Never did I think I would learn so much about swimming in such a short space of time. From the moment I got into the water, a coach was on hand to assess my swimming, perfect my strokes and encourage me. Because of this, I am now regularly swimming long distances. As a result, I have more energy and have lowered my anxiety and stress levels.”
J, Gylly Wellbeing member.
“What a welcoming and friendly group, and so inclusive. The coaching is second to none, I started with the beginner’s front crawl and then the improvers. I am so grateful to Sarah for her time and patience.”
L, Gylly Wellbeing member:
“The coaching sessions were a highlight of my week. I learned such a lot in a short time and gained confidence in the water. I also just loved being on the beach first thing in the morning with a friendly and supportive group. It was a great start to the day. I hope I can do more soon”.
Can you help?
We now desperately need funds to keep this unique and special community scheme going.
These are the costs we are currently facing:
All our coaches have taken this qualification run by the Swimming Teachers Association (STA).
We are slowly paying coaches back for this cost, offering reimbursements according to how many sessions they run.
Saving lives
Any small amount you can donate would be greatly appreciated.
Just £5-£10 will help run a swim coaching session that could literally save a life.
Our goal is to raise £500 in this crowd funder.
This project offered rewards