Your experience of swimming during and after cancer

What’s the project about? 

Swimming can mean more than just exercise. It can support recovery, boost wellbeing and help people feel more like themselves again. But what does it really feel like to swim during or after cancer? 

This project wants to find out. It focuses on real experiences, what helps, what’s difficult, and what makes swimming feel accessible. 

By combining photography and personal stories, the study aims to build a clearer picture of what swimming means to people living with and beyond cancer. And what needs to change to make it easier for others. 

Who’s organising it? 

Name of project lead: Sarah Dean 

Job title: Senior Lecturer 

Organisation: University of Staffordshire 

Email address: s.dean@staffs.ac.uk  

Who can take part? 

You can take part if you: 

• Are aged 18 or over 
• Have been diagnosed with cancer at any point 
• Have been swimming at some point since your diagnosis 

You can still take part if you are not currently swimming, as long as you have been swimming at some point since your diagnosis. 

Why do you want me to be involved? 

Everyone’s experience of cancer, and of swimming, is different. 

By sharing your experience, you can help show what it’s really like. What makes it possible. What makes it difficult. And what support people need. 

That insight will help shape resources for people with cancer, as well as organisations and services that want to support them to swim. 

What will you ask me to do? 

If you choose to take part, you’ll be asked to take part in a creative activity: 

• Take 3 photographs that represent your experience of swimming during or after cancer  
• OR share photographs you’ve already taken  
• Add short descriptions explaining what each image means to you  

You’ll have 4 weeks to take and submit your photos. 

You may also be invited to take part in an optional follow-up interview to talk more about your experiences and the meaning behind your images. 

How do I get involved? 

If you want to take part or would like some more information please go to the online form. 

Or if you have any other questions, you can contact Sarah at s.dean@staffs.ac.uk.  

When’s the deadline? 

31 July 2026