Open Minds Active

11/12/2025

We’ve received a Community Champion Nomination by and it’s all thanks to you 💙

To every swimmer, partner, and supporter who believes in what we do, thank you for putting our name forward.

At Open Minds Active, we’re proud to champion women’s access to blue spaces, nature-connected wellbeing, and inclusive movement.

This nomination means so much not just to us, but to every person who’s felt seen, supported, and empowered in and out of the water.

🏊‍♀️

https://thewell-hq.com

05/12/2025

Environment 💚

Enjoy, respect and protect both our green and blue spaces such as our lakes, rivers and seas.

This is one of our core values at Open Minds Active, and here’s why:

We believe that when you feel connected to nature, you're more likely to care for it.

Every cold water dip, every quiet moment by the river, helps build that connection, and from that, care and action can grow.

We’re just starting to embed this more deeply into everything we do, from our swim sessions to the stories we share.

🌱 Here are 5 simple ways to protect your local blue space:

• Rinse off lotions before entering open water
• Stick to paths to protect the riverbanks
• Pick up litter; even if it’s not yours
• Avoid disturbing plants and wildlife
• Share what you love about your river, lake or sea

Together, we can protect what protects us.

28/11/2025

Jo gives us her wetsuit tips this winter 💙

Stay warm everyone! 🥶

13/11/2025

Celebrate a Bristol Legend with Bristol24/7

https://www.bristol247.com/nominations/

This is such a great initiative and will give all the nominees and winners a huge boost to celebrate the work so many do to make Bristol a great city. Plus if you fancy voting for us in the Communities category - inclusive communities, well that would make our day too and it only takes 5 mins! Closing date 15th Nov

Bristol Legend We're looking for your suggestion on an individual from any walk of life who has made a positive impact in Bristol and done something truly legendary...

12/11/2025

💦 Swim Teachers Wanted! 💦

Start date: January 5th | Term time only

Are you a Level 2 qualified swim instructor or coach?

We are looking to recruit new swim instructors for our women-only swimming lessons.

Our sessions seek to remove barriers that many women face when swimming. We focus on Global Majority Women, many of whom are asylum seekers or refugees.

Our lessons range from absolute beginners through to advanced swimmers. Open Minds Active provides a safe, secure space for women to learn, have fun and build confidence in the water.

🗓️ When: Term time only – Monday mornings, Wednesday evenings & Friday lunchtimes
📍 Where: Hengrove Leisure Centre or Jubilee Pool
💷 Competitive hourly rate

Interested or want to learn more?

📩 Email us at hello@openmindsactive.org

07/11/2025

We love a cold water dip at Open Minds Active ❄️

As the water gets colder, we’re finding ways to stay in safely, and for longer!

The whole team had a brilliant time at West Country Water Park for our winter dip (and plenty of laughs too!)

Big shoutout to Orca for keeping us warm and comfortable in their amazing wetsuits and cold-water gear, an absolute lifesaver this time of year! 💙

We’d love to hear from you; what are your top tips for staying warm through the winter months?

31/10/2025

☀️ On this rainy October day, let's have a look at a throwback to those summer months: meet Paul! 🌊

He’s swapped the swimming pool for wild water, trading lanes for lakes and chlorine for open skies 💦

Now... Paul’s found calm, connection, and community through nature swimming, and he’s not looking back. 💙

It’s amazing what happens when we step outside and into the water.

Have you made the switch to wild swimming yet?

24/10/2025

We caught up with Kathy and Fiona, two brilliant members of our swimming community, back in the summer! 🌊💬

🎙️ Listen to Kathy as she shares exactly what it felt like to take her first cold-water dip, the nerves, the excitement, and that incredible feeling afterwards.

🧦 And Fiona? She’s got a genius (and slightly unexpected!) kit tip you might not have thought of… 👀

Our swimmers inspire us every day.

Their honesty, humour and support for one another are what make the Open Minds Active community so special. 💙

Have you taken your first dip yet? Or got your own kit hack to share? We’d love to hear it!

West Country Water Park

20/10/2025

🍂 Autumn is a time to slow down and reset.

Take a moment by the water; breathe in the cool air, and observe the changes in colour and light.
Then take the plunge ❄️

Remember - cold-water dips lift your mood, reduce stress, and build mental resilience.

Simple. Powerful. And never the same twice.

This October, this is your reminder to look after your mind as well as your body, and don't forget we have our social swim group every Thursday, 09.30–11:30 at West Country Water Park, so feel free to join us!

16/10/2025

Today was the last day of our wild swimming for wellbeing programmes. We have had such an incredible spring and summer with you all! We will be sharing the impact later in the year, so watch this space.
We will still be having a drop in every Thu morning from the beginning of November right through winter so keep those good habits going and reap the cold water benefits!
Huge thanks to and all our venues for making this valuable work possible.
💧🥶 🏊🏊‍♀️🏊🏿‍♂️