Reconnect with nature and rediscover your sense of adventure through our inclusive outdoor community

Open Minds Active Community

Open Minds is a social impact organisation involving a collective of likeminded people who enjoy helping others to connect with nature and access the outdoors. Our team of staff and volunteers include open water swim coaches, yoga teachers, community & youth workers and general all round good souls, passionate about creating a fun community where everyone is welcome.

Our values.

Community.

Build a diverse and inclusive outdoor community that empowers and inspires. Create a space that encourages fun, laughter and friendship.

Equality.

Promote the right for everyBODY to enjoy the outdoors and participate in wild swimming no matter their background, ability or circumstance.

Environment.

Enjoy and respect our green spaces, lakes, rivers and seas.

Resilience.

Facilitate wellbeing and practices that develop positive mental health through movement in nature.   

Adventure.

Rekindle a sense of excitement and exploration of wild spaces and the outdoors.

Self care and care of others.

Learn new skills to deal with the stresses of modern life and feel empowered to try new experiences and encourage others to do the same. 

Meet the Team

  • Maggy Blagrove

    FOUNDER & DIRECTOR

    Maggy is the Founder of Open Minds Active. She holds a Masters in International development and has over 20 years’ experience of working in sport in a community setting and has successfully used her expertise to develop various international and national projects. Maggy is an experienced open water swimmer and coach and has a passion for addressing health inequalities and encouraging people to access the great outdoors

  • Simangele Allen

    DIRECTOR

    Simangele moved to England from South Africa four years ago with her English husband and two sons. She has over 20 years experience in community development. She specialises in mental health and is a qualified counsellor and passionate about working with marginalised groups to help them access psychotherapeutic services and support.

  • Dr Faye Harrison

    DIRECTOR

    Faye is a qualified GP practicing in Bristol. She supports the team with guidance around mental and physical wellbeing and a keen advocate of social prescribing. She is a keen runner, netballer and fan of the great outdoors

  • Jo Fox-Evans

    DIRECTOR

    Jo has over 20 years’ experience in associations and learned societies. She is experienced in charitable governance, developing and implementing business strategies, managing boards and committees and team management.

  • Melzina Starnes

    FINANCE MANAGER

  • Liz Dunn

    PROGRAMME MANAGER WILD SWIM FOR WELLBEING

  • Wafa Sulliman

    COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT MANAGER

  • Jo Finkel

    LEARN TO SWIM COORDINATOR & TEACHER

  • Sara Ahmed Qureshi

    SWIM TEACHER ASSISTANT

  • Sarah Fyson

    YOGA INSTRUCTOR, SWIM COACH & SESSION LEAD

  • Kiki Watkin

    SWIM COACH & SESSION LEAD

  • Salma Qadir

    SWIM TEACHER ASSISTANT

Volunteers.

We couldn’t do all this without our wonderful volunteers, friends and family. Thank you for your ongoing support, mentoring and enthusiasm as we continue on our wild, watery journey.

Work with us.

We are currently looking for qualified sessional swim teachers and have a vacancy for a programme manager for our Nature Agency Consortia. Closing date 25th October.