Posted by Devon Partnership Trust in News on 5th December, 2024
Langdon Hospital is proud to celebrate the achievements of two new Open Water Lifeguards, Frances Evans from the Physical Therapies Team and Myles Galloway from the Occupational Therapy Team. Both successfully completed the intensive five-day National Vocational Beach Lifeguard Qualification course, accredited by the Royal Life Saving Society.
In 2023-2024, the Physical Therapies Team piloted a sea swimming group as part of Langdon Hospital’s progressive rehabilitation services. This initiative was designed to offer an evidence-based approach to supporting patients' mental health and wellbeing. With additional staff now qualified to facilitate the group, this impactful program is expected to expand, bringing its proven benefits to even more service users.
Establishing a group like this requires meticulous planning, rigorous training, and the implementation of approved safety operating procedures. The dedication and effort behind these preparations ensure that the group operates safely and effectively. Looking ahead to 2025, the Physical Therapies Team, with support of the Occupational Therapy Team, plans to launch the next phase of the sea swimming group, conduct a formal service evaluation, and explore opportunities to extend the program into future research initiatives.
Frances Evans, Physical Health Practitioner, shared her enthusiasm for the training experience: "It was fantastic to have the opportunity to be trained as an open water lifeguard. Initially, I didn’t think my swimming ability would be advanced enough; however, throughout the week my confidence increased, and by the assessment day I was ready to put into practice everything Sam had taught me. Swimming, especially in nature, is hugely beneficial, and I am excited to be able to put the skills I have learnt to good use and enable others to enjoy and be safe in the water."
Myles Galloway, Occupational Therapy Team Manager, reflected on his experience: "I was very pleased to be presented with the opportunity to complete the lifeguard training to assist with facilitating the sea swimming group. When you're in a managerial role, it's always nice to still retain contact with patients, and that was also a driver for me completing the training. This being said, it was no small feat to complete the training. I found it a lot more physically demanding than I expected, but all the hard work paid off when we passed our assessment at the end of the week. As a result, I am a much more confident swimmer, which is a great life skill to have."
Congratulations to Frances and Myles. Watch two short videos of the beach lifesaving course here and here.
The training was facilitated by Sam McClure of local company ExeAdventures, who offer a wide range of courses.