Drowning Prevention Week is an important reminder of how we can all stay safe in and around water, while still enjoying the many benefits of Essex’s coastlines, rivers and waterways.
Spending time by the water can also have many benefits for our physical and mental wellbeing. It can help reduce stress, boost your mood and improve your focus, while activities like walking, swimming or paddling can support your overall health. Even gentle activities like a short walk along the seafront, trying a new water sport or simply being in blue spaces can help people feel calmer and more connected.
As part of our Find Your Active: Move for Your Mind campaign, we encourage people to discover activities that feel good. For many, blue spaces provide a perfect place to be active in a way that feels accessible and enjoyable for the body and mind!
This Drowning Prevention Week, there are simple steps we can all take to stay safe:
- Be aware of your surroundings and local water conditions
- Never swim alone in case you need help
- Don’t dive or jump into open water, it could cause cold water shock
- Take part in sessions led by qualified instructors
- Look out for others and know what to do in an emergency
Taking these safety measures ensures that everyone can enjoy the benefits of blue spaces whilst reducing risk. You can read more about water safety here.
Building confidence in and around water
Through our work with partners, we’re happy to help highlight the opportunities across Essex and Thurrock that support people to access blue spaces safely.
In Thurrock, Grangewaters Outdoor Education Centre is delivering paddlesports and sailing sessions for young people, running across 22 weekends from spring to summer, for children and young people from disadvantaged backgrounds, particularly those receiving free school meals. Alongside opportunities to gain training and leadership experience. By introducing participants to water-based activities, these sessions help develop confidence, awareness and essential safety skills. The project aims to engage over 200 people, boosting wellbeing and creating pathways into watersports careers.
Lower Thames Rowing Club is expanding access to rowing at the Thames Estuary by training four new coaches and running inclusive, supported sessions. The programme also works with a local Sea Scout group, providing opportunities for young people with additional needs and from lower-income backgrounds. With a stronger coaching team, the club can reach more people through taster and learn-to-row sessions.
Making blue spaces accessible for everyone
In Southend-on-Sea, Active Southend-on-Thames provides a wide range of inclusive opportunities for people to get active by the water, from kayaking and swimming to water safety sessions, alongside wellbeing activities such as yoga, cold water dipping and family beach sessions. The programme will deliver 65 sessions, aiming to reach over 1,300 participants, with a strong focus on engaging underrepresented groups through partnerships with local charities.
Also in Southend, ATF Miles and Smiles offers a more gentle and accessible way to enjoy blue spaces. This nine-month programme delivers a series of guided walks along the seafront and Thames Estuary, including Shoebury Garrison, supporting a variety of participants, including people from ethnically diverse communities, those with long-term health conditions, and individuals experiencing social isolation. There are 30 guided sessions planned and the project aims to engage 40–60 people, helping to improve health, reduce isolation and strengthen community connections through regular, inclusive activity by the water.
By working with partners across Essex, we can continue to support more people to enjoy water safely, helping everyone to build confidence, stay active, and make the most of our local blue spaces.
To find out more about Drowning Prevention week, you can read more and use valuable resources here.
To find out more about keeping active outdoors, visit our webpage here.
