One of our service users decided to let us know how they felt about their Blue Space Experience. We hope it will inspire you to join us.
‘Back in June 2025 after months of trying to manage work and personal life I become depressed. I also, started to struggle with anxiety. A few months before I went to my GP because I was struggling to do my work and anxious to drive which for me is essential due to where I work.
My GP wanted to sign me off but, my pride and my principles against taken time off got on the way.
I asked the doctor. Please give me another week. I am on holiday in a few weeks time I will be fine!
My GP made me to promise that I would get in touch if it got too difficult and I needed to be sign off which I agreed.
After my holiday nothing got easier and in fact the way I was feeling really spoiled my special time with my family. However, I was determined to keep going and went back to work. One day in June, with all the pressures from work, I could no longer keep going. The thought of why people kill themselves came to mind and that really scared me.
I went to my GP flooded in tears and told him. I am crying all the time, I am not sleeping, I am anxious, I had thoughts of why people kill themselves when they feel bullied, I can no longer do my work safely. He signed me off and referred me to the distress intervention team. The staff member called me. She tried to help with techniques of how to relieve stress but, it didn’t work for me. I just didn’t click with her. Not because she wasn’t doing a good job but, I just didn’t feel the approach was what I needed at the time. It felt very professional and at that time I was needing warmth, encouragement, positiveness. During the appointments she would agree with me and tell me it’s normal to feel that way when you are going through a difficult time in your life.
I started to look for things to do. I joined a wild swimming group in Nairn. They were extremely welcoming, but I was too scared to leave the shore as my confidence was really low. Bear in mind I can swim in the pool no problem, but the sea was scary. The group were lovely and despite trying to welcome me there were times they would go for a long swim and leave me on shore.
I started to think I want to be with them. I drove nearly 30 miles in total to come here, I want more than be on shore.
One day I was at shore trying to swim but the anxiety would not let me relax and I heard a man telling his partner ‘look at her’. I don’t know what else he said, but I remember her saying ‘at least she is trying’.
I carried on but, in my head I started to think how am I going to get through the fear of enjoying the sea this amazing blue space! I decided to look for some coaching and I found Elaine from the SeaSoul Swimming. I met the lovely Elaine, very professional, but full of joy encouragement and positiveness. That is exactly what I was needing. The first few lessons I would not go anywhere if I could not touch the ground. However, with Elaine’s support this soon was over and I started swimming with more confidence and joining in a few swims with the friends I made. I continued to meet Elaine and one day I told her how I have been feeling and the reasons for me to start wild swimming. Elaine mentioned the Blue Space Highland to me and the amazing job they do but, I didn’t feel that I should be taking a space from such an important organisation when I could pay for activities. I was wrong very wrong.
After some struggles I decided to self refer to Blue Space Highland. From the very first contact I felt a sense of caring, compassion and understanding. The willingness to help was overwhelming. I was offered different activities that I could try and I choose SUP I call it ‘puddle board’ – I met the lovely Leeanne from Blue Space and Paddle Bliss Nairn.
The first time she gave me a wellness assessment to complete and my answers were all very negative. I could not believe how bad I was feeling and how this little questionnaire made me to realise how low I was feeling. My confidence was the worst it’s ever been.
Anyway I got myself ready for the introduction to Paddle-boarding with a few people. We all come from different backgrounds but all had the same thing in common, we were there for our wellbeing and to connect with nature. After the safety aspects were delivered by Leeanne we went into the water. While everyone embraced the challenge and were attempting to stand and falling in the water I was stiff like a board with fear of falling into the water. While they paddled out of the harbour into the sea I was way behind with fear. However, when we were near the end, I made the brave decision with Leeanne’s support to stand. I fell in straight away and I tried again and again. This felt amazing!! I loved it I loved every moment of it. The confidence it gave to me was unbelievable.
At the end of the session we completed the some questionnaire and I was amazed how my answers were so different from 2 hours ago. How positive they were how much confidence it gave to me.
That evening the sea looked amazing and despite getting dark I went for a swim on my own. I could not believe I was there on my own. The tide was low and I lay on my back watching the sky, listening to the birds and the waves. I didn’t want to go home. I never got home until 21:30.
Since then I have attended a few session of Blue Space and private swimming lessons with Elaine and ‘puddle-boarding’ with Leeanne. The confidence, the resilience and how this improved my wellbeing is unbelievable. From being so scared to leave shore to now swimming and paddle boarding in the sea. It is amazing! I can only thank the Blue Space Highland Team, Leeanne, Elaine and my new swimming friends for all of this.
My advice is to anyone that is feeling low or is struggling with their mental health is to embrace the nature, embrace what is available around us for free. It doesn’t cost you money but, will certainly change your life!
Don’t be ashamed to ask for help.
Do a self referral to Blue Space Highland.
Always believe in yourself – you can do it!!!’
Elaine from Seasoul Swimming showing us the joy of Blue Space.
Leeanne of PaddleblissNairn doing it her way!