Environmental portraits with WeSwim in East London

In the summer of 2025 I spent a day with WeSwim, a charity that creates inclusive swimming opportunities for disabled people and people with long-term health conditions. Volunteers support each swimmer in the water, confidence first, then progress.

I got involved through my friend and collaborator Harshita Patel, a brilliant WeSwim volunteer and community outreach coordinator. After a chat with Natasha Fleming, WeSwim’s founder and CEO, we planned a day of environmental portraits across Hackney, Dalston, Poplar and Old Street.

What stood out, all day, was how much determination each swimmer brought, and how much they enjoyed it. WeSwim exists because mainstream sessions are not accessible for many disabled people. What they have built goes far beyond swimming.

Red-brick Victorian public baths building with a BATHS sign under a blue sky, glass tower rising behind

Eddy, Hackney Central, morning

Good-spirited and smiley, Eddy trains at the gym four to five times a week. His energy set the tone for the day. At WeSwim he has learned to swim which he never thought was possible.

Smiling man in glasses on an exercise bike in a blue-walled gym, treadmills in use behind

Man with a grey beard and sunglasses on his head standing waist-deep by the lane rope, smiling back

Lewa, Dalston, midday

Lewa has been attending WeSwim sessions for two years and is a big part of the community.

Person in a red bandana and denim jacket talking outdoors, bunting strung along the brick wall

Swimmer in an orange cap with goggles pushed up, resting at the pool edge between lengths

Yanita, Limehouse, afternoon

Yanita arrived with her mum and was beaming. She travels around an hour and a half each way to take part, a level of dedication that says a lot about how much she loves it.

Woman in a navy t-shirt looking back over her shoulder from a picnic bench in a sunny courtyard

Smiling woman in the water leaning on a yellow and blue swim noodle

Husen, Old Street, late afternoon

Husen, joined by his mum, was relaxed in front of the camera and enjoyed the process. Playful, patient, and proud. Since joining WeSwim over a year ago he has grown hugely in confidence and ability and can do lengths unassisted.

Young man in glasses and a track jacket seated on a bench under dappled tree light

Man in blue goggles laughing and splashing in the pool, ring toys lined up on the poolside

Evening group swim, Old Street, evening

We finished with a group session at Ironmonger Row Baths. Swimmers of different ages and abilities shared the lane, supported by the volunteers and by each other. The sense of welcome was hard to miss.

Five swimmers posing together in the pool with an inflatable ring, lanes busy behind

Two men grinning arm in arm in the pool, goggles on their foreheads, a beach ball in play behind

Instructor in a red top talking with a swimmer in the water of an indoor pool

Four swimmers arm in arm in the pool with a yellow inflatable ring, all smiling

Spending the day with WeSwim was a reminder of what photography is for: people, connection, and the small moments that matter. To learn more or support their work, visit WeSwim.

If you run a charity or community project

and would like environmental portraits that celebrate your people and their work, I am keen to take on more of these shoots. Reach me at info@tadam.co.uk.

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