Hi, my name is Diana Phillips and I am a Research Assistant on the OUTSIDE2 trial. Below is an account of my personal experience attending a swimming session at Jesus Green Lido in Cambridge.

As a 24-year-old navigating the ups and downs of life, I found myself benefiting from the therapeutic moments of silence spent in the water with the participants, the breathing exercises that we did together before entering the pool and the meditative calmness that I felt while my head was submerged and my body was completely underwater. The swim course also provided a unique opportunity to speak with people of various ages and backgrounds whom I might not have met otherwise. Some of these conversations were more surface level, and others were deeply personal. Either way, having these conversations while being immersed in water and surrounded by trees made me feel an appreciation for the present moment as well as the sense that I was a part of something greater than myself.

The feeling of connectedness that I received from the swimming course extended beyond the people I met; it made me feel more attuned to my senses, to the water and the nature that surrounded me. It made me feel a deep sense of peace, presence and belonging in the world, as if my problems were just a small drop in a large ocean.

As we were approaching Jesus Green Lido, we walked past the river which was next to a park and we watched students and families punting. Punting is such a classic Cambridge experience. It’s when people glide along the river in flat-bottomed boats using long poles to push off the riverbed. It looked so peaceful and inviting, with groups of friends laughing and enjoying the calm, serene beauty of Cambridge. Here’s a photo of the river.

Finally arriving at the lido, I was excited to start the swimming course. Jesus Green Lido is the longest lido in the UK, stretching 91.4 metres. The place is surrounded by thick greenery, with tall trees and open skies that make you feel like you are swimming in the middle of nature. It is so pretty and peaceful there. When we arrived at the lido, I saw a variety of different people both at the swimming course and just enjoying the pool. There were beginners learning how to swim and people who were a bit more advanced. Even though we were all at different levels on the course, everyone was super friendly. We nodded in encouragement, shared helpful tips, and acknowledged each other’s progress with quiet smiles and small gestures. It felt like we were all in it together, like a small supportive family.

The course itself was engaging and well-structured. We started with basic exercises like breathing and treading in the water, then the participants retrieved items from the bottom of the pool, which (although I sat out for that bit) looked both fun and challenging. This activity seemed to help improve confidence being under the water. We also practiced pushing off the wall, a fundamental technique for effective swimming. My favourite part was when we hugged ourselves into a ball and floated at the top of the water with our faces submerged underneath – this provided a sense of escape from everything else. It made me feel separate from my issues in daily life, as if I had found a peaceful sanctuary just below the surface of the water. Below is a photo of me in the pool, about to adjust my goggles. I’m the one with the pink swim cap on the bottom right.

Colin, our swim coach, was attentive and had great energy throughout —  giving everyone personalised feedback with a smile on his face and ensuring that everyone improved at their own pace. While the participants were doing their underwater item retrieving exercises, I had the chance to dip back and swim some laps by myself. While I was swimming, I felt that the green surroundings really encouraged introspection about my own life. I’m not going to lie though, I was absolutely freezing. It took me a long time to warm up after the swim, but Colin was kind and brought me a coffee and explained that the body takes a while to adjust back to normal temperature following swimming in cold water.

The lido had a changing room with a hair dryer that really helped warm me up, as my cold, wet hair running down my back was not doing me any favours. After the session, Hannah and I went to Fitzbillies in the Cambridge town centre (must-visit if you are there) and had a coffee and cinnamon bun. I think eating and drinking something warm afterwards was really helpful with regulating my body temperature because I was still shivering at this point (1 hour post swim!). I thought I was experiencing mild hypothermia. After walking around the city centre for a bit, I found another cute café called Bould Brothers where I had a second flat white, and by that point, I was finally warm. I felt cool-headed and calm for the rest of the day.

Overall, my morning at Jesus Green Lido was a memorable experience. From the serene walk past the river and the park to the lido while watching people going punting, to experiencing the quiet comradery between participants and the enthusiastic support from Colin, every moment was enriching. The beautiful greenery surrounding the lido also made it a special memory. Despite the initial chill of the water, the warmth of the people and the sense of escape from reality that being underwater provided for me really made being in the water a larger than life experience. The visit to Fitzbillies for a comforting coffee and cinnamon bun was the perfect way to warm up and reflect on the morning’s experiences. By the time the session was done, I felt both physically and mentally refreshed. I slept really well that night.

Words by Diana Phillips