Tameside hospital midwife says taking a plunge in freezing cold water is life-changing

Midwife Karen Wood took the plunge to embrace the benefits of cold water swimming when the civic pools and leisure centres were closed during the Covid-19 lockdown.

Back then, it seemed unlikely the Tameside Hospital midwife would be central to a community of more than 1,800 members travelling to wild swimming spots all over Greater Manchester.

It all started in September 2020 when Karen joined members of the local open water community down south for a dip in the sea.

On her return she started The Manchester Bluetits, who are part of a broader Bluetit community which encourages people of all ages to enjoy the benefits of the open water in a safe way.

“My only regret is wishing I would have done it years ago,” Karen said.

“The mental benefits are well spoken about, but the physical benefits for me have been unbelievable.

“I have had a troublesome back for years and have tried everything, from pain clinics to scans and chiropractors, and struggled to get to the root cause.

https://twitter.com/TheBluetitsCS/status/1393229217639317510

“Since open water swimming every day, the pain has all but gone.

“I cannot emphasise how much it has changed my ability to enjoy other physical exercise without consistent pain,” she said.

Buoyed by her experience, Karen could not wait to recruit colleagues from the maternity department at Tameside and Glossop Integrated Care NHS FT, and many are regular attendees at Bluetit meet-ups.

From Cowbury Reservoir in Carrbrook to Sale Water Park and even further afield, the community organises daily dips and swims all year round.

“It is definitely expanding in our Trust,” she said.

“More and more people are curious about open water swimming and its benefits. We have a few regulars from the maternity team so far and others looking to join us.

“It would be great to build a small community of swimmers in our organisation. It isn’t just about the swimming, the thing I love about it most is the community.

“Everyone is so supportive and we spend lots of time away from the water socialising. I really wouldn’t be without it,” she added.