SARAH WALSH

Community Leadership, Health and Wellbeing

Suggested by Caroline Marsh, Wendy Adams, Karen Turton, Alison Turner, Caroline Pitura and Pauline Tudbury⁠

Sarah set up the BlueTits chill water swimmers in Cornwall with the aim of improving people's physical and mental health through cold water swimming. Sarah moved to Cornwall in her mid 20’s and has lived here for 30 years. She worked as a teacher in Newquay, lives in Perranporth and runs Cornish Kelpie, an open water swim coaching company. Sarah set up a community to campaign against sea sewage pollution and was part of a team that set a world record for swimming an ice relay at the World Ice Swimming Championships in Estonia. She is a Mum, wife and daughter.⁠
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Alison says, "Sarah takes her role as an accredited swim coach seriously, educating us about safety, furthering our knowledge. Swimming in the sea has been life changing for so many of us. Sarah has a special ability to bring people together, lighting up a space, noticing if someone hasn't been swimming and reaching out to them. ⁠
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Caroline says, "Sarah's friendship, support, water skills and compassion have transformed lives of women living in Cornwall. She has given me confidence both in and out of the water and improved my health mentally and physically. ⁠
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Pauline says, "Sarah includes anyone and everyone, supporting women who are alone, newly widowed, carers who get the chance to forget their worries for an hour or so and people looking to make friends. I didn't think I would ever be able to wear a swimsuit let alone swim in the sea, but I now do it three times a week throughout the year. She's a fantastic lady and an inspiration! ⁠
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Wendy says, "Sarah supports and encourages me to be the best version of myself. Without her I would not be the happy, healthy person I am today."⁠
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Katie says, "Sarah's encouragement enabled me to embrace the power of the water and has given me the confidence to push my own boundaries."⁠
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