Village Halls Retrofit Fund
Funding
The funding has so far allowed Coldingham Brave Bayers to run two complete cohorts of our Wild Swimming for Wellbeing programme, significantly strengthening our capacity to deliver our mission of improving mental, physical and social wellbeing through community connection in nature.
100% of participants were attending a CBB programme for the first time – showing the funding has enabled us to engage with new audiences across a wider demographic.
The programme has acted as a gateway: 70% of participants who initially joined for the wild swimming programme have since engaged in wider community activities, showing that our funded delivery has a “ripple effect” that extends impact well beyond the programme itself.
We’ve been able to provide a structured, multi-activity programme (Wild swimming coaching with 2 coaches and volunteer shore watchers, yoga, art, marine environment activities, snorkelling) that we wouldn’t have been able to do without funding. The funding has provided opportunity for newly qualified coaches and facilitators to gain confidence and delivery experience.
100% rated safety and organisation positively and coaching sessions were scored 10/10 – funding has allowed us to maintain professional standards and build credibility.
The programme has strengthened collaborations with Berwickshire Marine Reserve, yoga practitioners and wellbeing artist – this has expanded our network and enhanced our ability to offer swim complementary activities. Through these networks we have established a new link with the NHS mental health team East Berwickshire.
The grant is allowing us to gather valuable evidence to refine both current and future delivery.
When a facilitator sustained a broken arm, additional volunteers were called upon to provide shore watching and first aid cover. Thanks to our strong bank of trained volunteers, we were able to adapt quickly and maintain safe delivery.
Initially, the men-only course struggled to attract participants. When opened up to women, the course still struggled to fill. We then trialled a shorter 3-week format during the summer holidays, which immediately filled and had a waiting list. Participant feedback was split: while the shorter course suited availability during the holiday period, all participants expressed that they wished the course had been longer. This learning confirmed that although shorter courses can meet demand in certain circumstances, our 6-week format better supports continuity, outcomes, and participant experience.
A men-only programme was trialled but uptake was unsuccessful, even after reaching out to local partners so we have reverted to mixed-group delivery which has shown stronger engagement.
Scottish summer holidays significantly affect participants’ availability, so scheduling will be more carefully planned in future to reduce drop-off during this period.
We continue to adapt delivery for participants learning styles, disabilities and neurodivergent needs, ensuring our programme is inclusive and responsive to all.
50% of participants heard about the programme through social media, website and 50% through traditional methods of marketing like posters and talking to people within our local community – this shows our capacity to promote and attract interest has grown thanks to our flexibility with targeting marketing funded delivery. Participants have travelled across the TD postcode to attend.
The structured programme has provided a replicable model that we can now adapt to different audiences (e.g. families, inclusion groups, young people).
By working with local yoga practitioners, artists, and facilitators, the funding has supported the local economy and created new paid opportunities within the community. Increased visitor numbers to coastal areas for our sessions have had indirect benefits for small local businesses.
The Wild Swimming for Wellbeing programme has already created significant positive change for participants and our wider community.
Participants consistently described the programme as transformative, highlighting emotional release, mindfulness, and achievement:
“Connection, community & a splash of cold water = pure magic.”
“The sense of achievement from going in the water and being present in the moment was amazing.”
“It opened my eyes to ‘noticing’ what’s going on around me instead of being caught up in such a fast-paced life.”
Participants wanted longer programmes and more sessions – a strong indicator of value and impact.
Friendships have flourished, with some now car-sharing to swim meets. Two participants have started volunteering at community events such as Coldingham Gala. One has taken up regular swim lessons and another has returned to surfing with renewed confidence.
Barriers to participation were reduced through provision of equipment and a supportive environment. Three participants tried wetsuits for the first time, and 70% borrowed different styles of hats, gloves and booties to find what worked best for them.
100% received tow floats and swim hats to keep for ongoing water safety and all used our yoga mats, ensuring safe and enjoyable experiences.
Participants reported feeling more confident not just in open water, but in everyday life.
They felt empowered to co-design the final session, asking for more yoga and meditation – 70% of whom had never tried yoga before.
“Sharon and Linzi, Thank you for the last 6 weeks. This has been the best thing I have signed up to, your knowledge, experience and friendliness has been amazing, I have learned so much”
“I managed a sea swim last night, only a short one but I was channelling the good vibes from last week”
The funding has had a significant influence on our volunteers, both in terms of their engagement and their personal and professional development.
Volunteers have been able to participate in structured, high-quality programmes where their contribution feels valued and purposeful.
They have taken on active roles, sharing their knowledge of water safety, mindfulness, yoga, and the marine environment, reinforcing that their input is integral to programme success.
Volunteers have gained hands-on experience in open-water wellbeing delivery, including risk management, participant support and facilitation skills.
Example: As volunteers got to know participants individually, they were able to recognise early signs of cold-water fatigue and provide timely reassurance or support – demonstrating applied learning in real settings.
Volunteer confidence has grown, reflected in participants consistently rating safety and coaching 10/10.
Their contributions are recognised not only by CBB but also by participants themselves, many of whom expressed gratitude for the “calm presence” and “encouraging support” of volunteers.
The quality of delivery has inspired external practitioners. For instance, a Seasonal Yoga trainer was so motivated by the programme that she joined in alongside participants (with their permission). This shows that our volunteer-led model not only engages our own team but also attracts skilled practitioners from outside the organisation.
Our team of volunteers includes people from diverse backgrounds. Working side by side, they are learning from each other and building a strong “community of practice.” This shared growth strengthens our ability to deliver now and in the future.
Several volunteers have expressed interest in progressing into formal coaching or facilitation roles, which builds a pipeline of future leaders and contributes to the sustainability of the programme.
The funding has provided us with a strong foundation not only to deliver high quality programmes in 2025 but also to plan confidently for the future. The demand we have experienced: including a waitlist for places, shows that there is clear appetite for accessible, nature-based wellbeing opportunities in the Scottish Borders for our local people and tourism.
We are now actively preparing for future funding applications for 2026-2027, with the goal of expanding delivery to meet this growing demand. This will include maintaining our Wild Swimming for Wellbeing programme while also exploring shorter seasonal offerings and tailored sessions for specific groups (such as young people, families and those with health challenges).
In short, the funding has allowed us to deliver immediate benefits while laying the foundations for stronger partnerships, enhanced volunteer skills, and sustainable service growth in the years ahead.
The funding has enabled us to build and strengthen meaningful partnerships across the Scottish Borders, increasing both the visibility and the impact of our work.
Through our marketing campaign – including a feature in the Eyemouth Living magazine, posters in local venues and active use of social media, promotion of website we have raised awareness of Coldingham Brave Bayers and our wellbeing programmes. This outreach has not only attracted participants but also created new touchpoints with local partners, strengthening the profile of community-based wellbeing activities more broadly.
Our collaboration with Berwickshire Marine Reserve has deepened, with participants introduced to rockpooling and marine environment activities. Significantly, some of those participants are now sharing this learning with their families demonstrating a benefit to mental, physical and social connections where learning and engagement extend beyond our programme.
A particularly important development has been the establishment of a new partnership with the NHS East Berwickshire mental health team, who will signposting individuals to our programmes as part of their community support pathways. This recognition from statutory services validates the quality and safety of our delivery, while also showing how grassroots initiatives like ours can complement formal healthcare provision. In return, we have shared knowledge with NHS staff about resources such as ALISS, contributing to wider system capacity and helping them to support their clients more effectively.
Overall, the funding has enabled us not only to deliver our own programmes but to help weave together a stronger, more connected network of wellbeing provision in the Scottish Borders. Participants have told us that they draw on techniques learned with us, such as breathing practices or recalling positive experiences from their swims – to cope with stressful days at work, further demonstrating how these community connections ripple outward into everyday life.
The funding has been a vital step in strengthening Coldingham Brave Bayers’ long term sustainability and shaping our future plans.
The success of the programme to date, evidenced by overwhelmingly positive feedback, consistently high participant satisfaction and the creation of a waitlist – has demonstrated both demand and value. This provides a strong evidence base to support future funding applications for 2026-2027, ensuring we can sustain and expand delivery to meet community need.
The grant has also enabled us to develop new partnerships that will continue to strengthen our delivery. Partnerships with Berwickshire Marine Reserve, Seasonal Yoga, and local artists and providers have expanded the scope of our offer and created opportunities for shared delivery, volunteer pathways and wider community engagement.
In parallel, we are investing in our team’s professional development through specialist training in Aquacise, Teaching Aquaphobics and Trauma-Informed Practice in Swimming Lessons. This capacity building increases our future resilience, widens accessibility and positions us to support individuals with a broader range of needs.
Looking ahead, our strategic goal is to move from early pilot-style cohorts towards embedding wild swimming as a recognised wellbeing intervention in the Scottish Borders. The funding has allowed us to take crucial steps in this journey – building credibility, strengthening networks and laying down the foundations for long-term, sustainable growth.
Our experience of both the funding application and reporting processes has been very positive. The guidance provided was clear and the application questions were straightforward to complete.
For future improvement, it would be helpful to have more detail on what you are looking for in impact reporting. This would allow us to tailor the data we collect from participants in advance, reducing administration time for the report writer. As we work in a voluntary capacity, having smooth and efficient processes from the outset is particularly valuable.
We would also suggest allowing the option to include supporting photos or visuals with grant applications Visuals can help bring our work to life and reduce reliance on text alone. Similarly, expanding the size /number of characters of the text boxes slightly would make it easier to provide fuller responses, especially where there are rich outcomes to share.
Overall, the process has felt smooth and supportive and we are grateful for the opportunity to demonstrate the value of this funding through our reporting.
To build on the success of the Wild Swimming for Wellbeing programme and achieve our long-term goals, we have identified several areas where additional support would be transformative:
Securing a building on Coldingham Beach would provide a permanent hub for wellbeing and nature-based activities year-round. This would strengthen our visibility, provide safe storage for equipment and create a dedicated space for training, community connection and programme delivery in all seasons.
Funding for a dedicated Project Officer would enable us to grow and improve our offerings, including developing water safety programmes, expanding our Swim Inclusion and Second Wave Swim initiatives and coordinating community engagement and partnerships more effectively.
Investment in high-quality neoprene equipment (wetsuits, gloves, boots and hats) would expand access for participants who may otherwise be excluded due to cost or cold-water barriers, ensuring inclusivity and safety across all groups.
Support for training and progression opportunities would enable our volunteers to gain transferable skills and confidence. This includes specialist swim qualifications as well as a structured employability package – such as social skills training and a tailored programme on how to become self-employed. Ensuring that the personal benefits of volunteering can translate into long-term life and career opportunities.
With these supports in place, Coldingham Brave Bayers could significantly expand its impact, embedding wild swimming and nature-based wellbeing as sustainable, inclusive, and transformative pathways for individuals and communities across the Scottish Borders.
Sharron and I, as co-founders of Coldingham Brave Bayers, have personally really enjoyed this experience as practitioners. It has elevated our work to another level, building on the professionalism and credibility we have always strived to foster. Moving forward, we are excited to continue encouraging as many people as possible to safely engage with our beautiful coastline for their wellbeing.
We have had the privilege of seeing some truly brave individuals take the courage to join in and watching them grow personally has brought us immense joy. We are deeply grateful for all the support and guidance Borders Community Action has given us throughout this journey.
