Wild Swimming for Wellbeing Programme
Social Prescribing
In recent years, the NHS has been placing greater emphasis on more holistic, person-centred approaches to healthcare, recognising that not all health issues can or should be treated with medication alone. One of these approaches is social prescribing, which links people to activities like arts, sport, or community groups. These experiences create opportunities for connection, shared purpose, and stronger community ties. While not a replacement for medical treatment, they can often address the root causes of poor health more effectively than medication alone.
Our contribution to this movement is wild swimming, which we use to support mental health, wellbeing, and social connection. Working in partnership with Bristol health centres, we run programmes that give urban communities the rare chance to spend time in green and blue spaces such as Henleaze Lake and West Country Water Park.
Participants are referred through social prescribers and often come to us facing challenges such as anxiety, depression, chronic pain, or social isolation.
Social Swimmers
(no referral needed)
Looking to connect with others and enjoy the water? Join our affordable sessions to learn skills, build confidence, and meet like-minded people.
What’s on:
Intro to Cold Water and Sauna Workshop — Autumn & Winter
Various swim technique and breath work Workshops — Spring & Summer
Women’s Social Swim Group — Thursdays, 09.30–11:30 at West Country Water Park (all year round) Book directly with West Country Water Park here.
Referrals
(for people seeking support)
Referrals are currently closed.
Our summer and September 2025 starts are oversubscribed. We expect to reopen referrals in Spring 2026.
If you live with a mental or physical health condition and believe our programme could help, ask your GP or a social prescriber at your health centre to refer you.
Note: not every GP in the Bristol area knows about us yet.
Sessions available:
Women-only 6 week programme: Thursday mornings West Country Water Park - 3 intakes a year, April, June and Sep
Mixed session (all genders): Tuesday mornings at Henleaze Lake May-Sep
Mixed session (all genders): Friday mornings Bristol Harbour Baltic Wharf (May to Sep)
No need to be an expert swimmer — this is about dips, not distance, however we recommend you are able to swim at least 25m and be comfortable out of your depth.
Email: referrals@openmindsactive.org
Healthcare Professional Referrals
If you are a social prescriber or healthcare professional looking to refer people:
Please email referrals@openmindsactive.org and we will send you an information pack and we can add you to our referrals mailing list.
We are open for three intakes per year April, June and September, referrals generally open a month before each intake.
Extra Information
Swimming ability & safety
These sessions are designed for gentle dips rather than distance swims. We recommend a minimum ability to swim 25m. West Country Water park is a shallow lake and is 1.5m deep all the way around, so most people can touch the bottom. Both Henleaze and Harbour Swim venues are deep water and there is nowhere to stand up in the water. We monitor water quality with our partners on a weekly basis and review constantly, but please note there is always a risk when swimming in open bodies of water.
Kit
Different venues have different requirements in terms of kit. West Country Water Park and the Harbour swim require a swim hat and tow float for visibility. When you are on a programme with us we will provide these. Should you be interested in purchasing your own kit, we have a partnership with Wetsuit Outlet, who give our community a special discount just use openminds15 at checkout!