More cohesion for a holistic approach

We desperately need to have conversations at the top of politics that embrace a holistic approach to managing land, water, and communities, says the Rivers Trust

There’s no doubt that lots of people enjoy swimming for somewhat self-indulgent reasons, and that’s no bad thing. But it’s also true that swimming can also foster strong, vibrant communities. You only need spend a short amount of time by a pool, river, lake, or beach to see and feel the conversations and connections being made.

That’s why swimming, so individual on the face of it, intersects with politics. As is the case with many sports, swimming and community are inextricably linked and political decisions, whether directly or indirectly, impact swimming.

Between 2015 and 2023, 276 local authority swimming pools were closed in England. External pressures like rising energy costs and public spending cuts are driven by politics and have a knock-on effect on communities. Closures don’t just make access more difficult for health and leisure reasons, but also limit wider health services such as physiotherapy and cancer prehab and rehab treatments.

Moving outdoors, fragmented policy and management across the board have left our rivers in a perilous state, our communities vulnerable to myriad health and environmental risks, and our farmers struggling to turn a profit from food production. The dream of all rivers being fit to swim in is a distant one, but better policy decisions could bring it closer.

We desperately need to have conversations at the top of politics that embrace a holistic approach to managing land, water, and communities. Environmental professionals need to work with those in health, food, education, and of course interest groups like outdoor swimmers, to ensure we’re not working at cross-purposes, but as part of a cohesive unit that will help society and the environment thrive.

Photo by Benjamin Elliott on Unsplash