ABOUT
Gylly Wellbeing Swimmers community group was started in 2019 by Psychologist and Life & Swim Coach Nick Banfield to help people feel better mentally and physically, by swimming in the sea mindfully, safely, and through connecting with others, whilst at the same time improving their swimming technique.
Since the group began we have included other activities on the beach such as yoga, meditation and wellbeing mentoring / life coaching. We are a community group with constitution, committee and AGM, and we run on a limited budget supported by donations and some grants.
We have all necessary qualifications and insurance, safety is always paramount.
Gylly Wellbeing Swimmers is a Village of Peace, Love and Altruism. It provides opportunities to improve mental, emotional and physical wellbeing, as well as improve confidence, offer opportunities for social engagement, and support to all its members.
OUR TEAM
At Gylly Wellbeing Swimmers, our team is dedicated to helping our members improve their wellbeing through swimming and other practices.
Meet some of our team members below.
Nick Banfield
Founder/ Swim and Wellbeing Coach
I am a Chartered Psychologist and founder of Gylly Wellbeing Swimmers. I have over 20 years of experience in swimming and wellbeing, and is passionate about helping others improve their lives through these practices.
Tiff Gale
Wellbeing Coach
I"m a certified wellbeing coach and certificated positive psychology practitioner, working to support people in changing outdated behaviour patterns that have become stuck and unhelpful.
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I have been a member of GWS for since 2021 and really believe in the core values presented, which represent some of my own, including; altruism, love, compassion and community.
Martha Dixon
Swim Coach
Martha Dixon is a highly experienced swim coach who has worked with individuals of all ages and abilities. She is dedicated to helping our members improve their swimming skills and confidence.
Sarah
Swim and Yoga Coach
I am a supporter of movement for positive wellbeing by keeping fit and healthy, I love taking time to enjoy the sea and our beautiful surroundings. I am an experienced yoga teacher, swimming teacher and open water coach, teaching in pools over the winter and in the sea in the summer, I enjoy sharing my passions with others. I am also trained in mental health first aid and as an SLSC lifeguard.
Clare Duncan
STA Level 2
Open water Swim Coach
It's been an incredible journey since I earned my qualification in 2022. Witnessing the positive transformations in people's confidence after just a few swim sessions in the sea is truly amazing and fulfilling. Coaching for me it's a source of joy and fun!
I love trying new things so would encourage anyone wanting to have a go or just improve their front crawl to sign up for our beginners or improvers courses running April to Nov.
Caroline Leighton
Life Coach
I am a mother, grandmother and retired teacher. Nature is my happy place and I always find the simple things in life the most beautiful and inspiring. Chronic pain in my younger years led me to the water to heal and I have been sea swimming for the past 5 years. I enjoy sport and have recently taken up the challenge of triathlons. I love listening to people and am a natural giver.
Paul Hills
Swim Coach
I coach in open water swimming, surf life saving and canoe/kayaking and I am also a lifeguard. Happy to try and help anyone with any of these, just ask!
Dee Richards
Swim Coach
I previously worked as a NHS Registered Nurse for 20 years. Originally from Ireland, I came to the South West in 1988. Having spent many years keeping myself physically well; it is only recently that I have begun my own mental health healing journey after tragic family bereavement when I was 14. I am now a mentor with GWS and can offer a listening ear and a quiet presence when needed.
Chandra Ganguly
Journaling Coach
I am a PhD candidate at King’s College, London. An MFA graduate from the Bennington Writing Seminars, my work has been published in BuzzFeed, Narrative Magazine, Arrowsmith Press, NDTV. I am the founding editor of the art and literature print magazine Speak The Magazine. I live in Cornwall with my family.
Simon Harvey
Meditation Teacher and Health Coach
I am a Chopra Certified Meditation Teacher, an Integrative Nutrition Health Coach, and Myers-Briggs Type Indicator® certified facilitator.
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An entrepreneur and retired superyacht captain with a passion for physical, mental, spiritual, and emotional health and wellbeing. I work on living with a growth mindset and love to learn and grow with the people and environment around me.
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I joined GWS late in 2022 shortly after moving to Cornwall on my first day’s swim at Gylly, and as an introvert, artist, meditator, and lover of life with a motto of life being ‘Die young as late as possible.’ I was overjoyed by the warm welcome I received from this amazing group.
Julie Watson
Paint yourself happy facilitator
While I'm not a professional art therapist, I hold qualifications in art and teaching and have many years of experience working with diverse communities.
Oskar
Swim Coach
I am a swim coach...