I’m swimming at Great Lengths 2024 to raise money for Team Domenica!

Disclaimer: I've never done anything like this before, and I'd say my fitness level is below average.

Earlier this month I started swimming a few times a week, mostly leisurely, mainly just to keep myself moving after spending eight hours a day at my desk. I've found that, while I wouldn't say I'm an athlete, I really enjoy it!

I'm taking this on as a challenge to myself, so I can stop telling myself I'm not good at it - and hopefully raise some money for a wonderful charity on top!

Team Domenica is an amazing charity that supports young people with learning disabilities to find paid work and reach their full potential.

Just like I'm pushing myself by taking on a fitness challenge, the wonderful people that Team Domenica helps every day are pushing themselves to get ahead in life despite their disadvantages.

They need funding to help deliver their extremely successful programme, designed to help their young people – called candidates – develop independence, confidence, communication, and work skills ready for employment.

Just 4.8 % of people with a learning disability are employed in England, and they are twice as likely to suffer from mental health issues and seven times as likely to suffer from chronic loneliness and isolation.

Team Domenica’s programme works: an amazing 81% of their candidates progress into paid employment through their Supported Internship Programme. And 95% of their candidates are still in work a year later (vs. the national average of 25%).

I'm doing this challenge to help as many young people as possible achieve their dreams. Can you help?