Westward Ho! sea swim courses get money to boost mental health

Chill Therapy CIC been awarded a £4,500 grant from National Grid to tackle depression and improve mental health by getting people active through sea swimming courses in North Devon.

The group will use the funds to make its much-loved sea swimming sessions available for more people in Westward Ho! and beyond.

Michael Morris, founder of Chill Therapy CIC, said: “The grant from the Community Matters Fund will make a great impact on the lives of those people who attend our Chill Therapy sea swimming courses. The friendships they forge and the skills they learn will be invaluable for them to enrich their lives and will reduce their anxiety and depression.”

The group is one of more than 100 grassroots organisations across the South West, Midlands, and South Wales to benefit from the £500,000 fund which is supporting community groups to improve health and widen participation in sport and physical activity.

Graham Halladay, operations director at National Grid Electricity Distribution, said: "This grant underlines our ongoing commitment to promote wellbeing and cultivate flourishing communities for people of all ages.

“We want to establish a legacy of active communities, fostering positive and sustainable change by uniting people through physical activities, improving the health of both individuals and communities – all while fostering a sense of enjoyment. We are delighted to offer our support to committed community organisations like Chill Therapy in their efforts to promote and sustain active communities."

National Grid’s Community Matters Fund has awarded almost £5 million to good causes since 2021.