Heartbreaking news for the Brighton community: The beloved Seabirds Community Interest Company, known for its invigorating sea swims, is set to close its doors. This decision, announced by the organizers, comes as a result of persistent funding challenges. It's a stark reminder of the financial hurdles faced by many community-driven initiatives.
Salty Seabirds, the brainchild of Brighton locals Cath Brown and Kath Ferguson, emerged in 2018. They created the group after personally experiencing the restorative power of sea swimming to combat work-related stress. (And this is the part most people miss... the profound impact of community and nature on mental health).
Their mission? To share this transformative experience with others. Over the years, Seabirds has welcomed thousands of sea swimmers, fostering a vibrant community and raising significant funds for environmental causes. The impact of their work is undeniable.
The company's closure is scheduled for the spring of 2026. However, the spirit of Salty Seabirds will live on as the community continues, even without the CIC name.
In a heartfelt statement, the organizers expressed their sadness, explaining that the decision was unavoidable due to unsustainable financial losses. They highlighted their impressive achievements: welcoming over 7,000 sea swimmers, delivering 941 lessons and tasters, and donating nearly £25,000 to environmental causes. (But here's where it gets controversial... many of their lessons were free or subsidized, showcasing a commitment to accessibility that's now under threat).
Despite exploring various avenues, including fundraising, grants, and new lesson models, rising costs and dwindling donations proved insurmountable.
Before closing, Seabirds will host its final Arctic Tern Winter Swimming Challenge, with all proceeds benefiting swimmers through Refugee Radio. They will also conduct their final swimming lesson courses over the next six weeks.
The organizers concluded with a message of gratitude, thanking everyone who supported their mission.
What are your thoughts on this? Do you believe that more support should be directed towards community initiatives like Seabirds? Share your opinions in the comments below.
