Somewhere Sauna Bantham: Free Saunas for Health

Aim

Raising £10k to fund free sessions to people in need and improve accessibility at Somewhere Sauna Bantham

The story so far

Somewhere Sauna Bantham was born from a simple belief: that heat, cold, nature and community are not luxuries, they are medicine.

We're Emily and Lewis, partners in life and in this project, rooted in the South Devon coast we grew up on and love fiercely. The sauna at Bantham, nestled in the Field of Dreams with views over to Dartmoor,  has been quietly gathering people since we opened. Locals, surfers, families, people who arrived alone and left in conversation. That's what it does. It slows everything down and reminds us we belong to each other.

But we know it could reach further.

What your money will do

We're raising £10,000 to do two things:

£3,500 Improving access for more people. Although full wheelchair access isn't something we can provide, we can do significantly better than we do now. This funding covers clearer signage, improved changing facilities, better walkways and easier entry into the sauna with a small ramp or steps and a handrail. Small changes that make a real difference to people with limited mobility, older visitors and anyone who currently finds the site difficult to navigate.

£6,500 A free sessions programme for people who need it most. We're working with South Hams social prescribing link workers and local charities to bring people to the sauna who would never otherwise have access; people managing loneliness, burnout, chronic pain and poor mental health.

This funds two things:

• Ten free public sessions every month, open to individuals referred through the primary care network social prescribing scheme. £15 funds one free session. £150 funds a whole month.
• Four community group sessions per year: each a fully supported 2-hour private hire including transport, refreshments, staffing and promotion, delivered in partnership with local charities serving refugees, veterans, young carers and other marginalised groups. Each session costs £1,100 to run. Back the Pillar of the Community tier and you fund one in its entirety.

In year one, we aim to bring the sauna to over 200 people who would never otherwise have access.

The science backs this up. Regular sauna use has been shown to reduce cardiovascular risk, lower cortisol levels and significantly improve mood and social connection. Paired with the cold plunge and the landscape of the South Devon coast, the effect is something our regulars describe again and again: I feel like myself again.

“Emily and Lewis are extremely passionate and knowledgeable regarding the benefits of Sauna. As Social Prescribing link workers this outstanding offer is inclusive to all, holistically supporting social, mental and physical well-being of individuals in a tranquil green location. The Somewhere Sauna Bantham is an inspiring community asset, of which we look forward to linking up with.” - Social prescribing link worker, South Hams Community

Why Now?

We're also working to secure Somewhere Sauna's permanent home on the Bantham Estate so we can also provide cold water swimming and sauna sessions. Your backing does more than fund the project, it demonstrates the community support that shows this is exactly the kind of grassroots, people-first initiative this landscape should protect and nurture. Every pledge is a voice.

This is a community project. It always has been.

We need to reach our target of £10,000 by Thursday 6th August. Every pound goes directly to opening the sauna door wider, to more people, more equitably, more permanently.

Donate today and help us make Somewhere Sauna a place that holds everyone.

Funding method

All or nothing – this project will only receive pledges if it reaches its target of £10,000 by 6th August 2026 at 7:07am