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Britney Sewell -
Founder & Managing Director
Britney has been a qualified swimming teacher since 2009, starting her career at just 17 years old.
In February 2016, at 23, she launched The Swim Academy and due to the nature of the lessons, started
attracting neurodivergent children, she was diagnosed with combined ADHD at 29 so she didn't know that
she was also neurodivergent yet. Turning the swim school into a specialist academy for neurodivergence, sparked
a life long passion....
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With both her lived experience and a neurodivergent family, passion and inclusion isn’t just professional - it’s personal.
Her journey has given her the insight and drive to create spaces that genuinely work for all children.
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"I often get asked if a neurotypical child will get held back if they join us and enter a mixed needs group, which is a fair question seeing as how we have been portrayed as needing lots more attention, having higher needs or being the naughty kids!
Unless their needs demand it, why should a neurodivergent child miss out on joining a group, making friends, gaining confidence and learning safety faster, just because everything is currently run by red tape, ridgid rules and outdated systems and beliefs.
I have found when giving a neurodivergent child responsibility, explaining why and giving them the freedom to learn they are usually the most well behaved, learn the fastest, want to help encourage and teach others and they are the best little lifeguards I have, wanting to help keep everyone safe during lessons and when they are out at other pools too!
Neurotypicals tend to stay in one line of thinking whereas us neurodivergent are constantly thinking of new ideas and ways to do things. I have to switch up how I explain things and often the children will speak up too, giving different ideas or ways of explaining to help their friends learn.
This way of working helps everyone neurodivergent or not, to gain confidence, learn and be safe faster.
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This is why I create The Neurodivergent Leisure Group CIC to rewrite the rules of leisure and build the UK’s first sensory-adapted swimming pools and facilities, designed by neurodivergent people, for neurodivergent people."
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Director
Volunteers Consultants
All of our volunteers including our youth ambassadors also form our Advisory Board, helping guide strategy and ensuring accountability.
Aleacia -
Neurodivergent Health & Research Specialist -
Aleacia holds a Medical Science BSc (Hons) with a 2:1 and a Physician Associate MSc with Distinction,
and is about to begin her second master’s in Health and Social Care Research.
Her professional background includes working in mental health services, supporting people with neurodivergence,
and a placement in a female psychiatric unit. She has also worked in a GP surgery, running minor illness clinics and completing health checks for people with learning disabilities.
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Recognised as having dyslexia herself, Aleacia understands the importance of inclusive and supportive environments for neurodivergent people. She is passionate about applying her research skills and invaluable knowledge to help create safe, accessible spaces for the Neurodivergent community, and her expertise adds valuable depth to our team.
Ellie -
Mental Health & SEN Wellbeing Advisor
Ellie is a qualified counsellor and currently works as a SEND Teaching Assistant at North Herts College.
She is also part of the Wellbeing Junction CIC team, where she helps children learn how to manage their
emotions through mindfulness, social skills, and practical life skills such as cooking.
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Ellie has first-hand experience of neurodivergence within her own family: her son is non-verbal autistic, and her sister has ADHD.
This lived insight gives her a deep understanding of the challenges faced by families and the importance of inclusive practice.
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She also worked in a Stevenage primary school SEN unit, and at an independent school supporting older children who struggled in mainstream education because of behavioral, social, or emotional difficulties. Ellie is our little ray of sunshine, she advises our team on mental health and wellbeing, helping us stay on top of our game and ensuring inclusivity across everything we do.​​
Ayden -
Construction & Infrastructure Consultant
Ayden brings over 10 years of hands-on experience in all aspects of building, plumbing, and landscaping, providing our team with a solid foundation in practical construction. His expertise ensures that every project
is not only well-designed but also structurally sound, safe, and built to last. Ayden’s real-world insight is vital in shaping leisure spaces that work in practice as well as on paper.
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As a parent to an autistic son, and with close family experience of ADHD and dyslexia, Ayden understands first-hand the importance of creating facilities that are genuinely inclusive and accessible. This lived perspective, combined with his professional background, makes him an invaluable voice in our work. Helping to ensure every space we build meets the highest construction standards while truly serving the families who need them most.
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Wendy has been a qualified swimming teacher for over 30 years, with experience ranging from teaching in community settings to working as Swim Coordinator at a high-end gym. She is the founder of The Octopus Garden Swim School, a highly regarded early years programme that will eventually run from the CIC’s inclusive facilities, ensuring families are supported from their very first swimming experiences.
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Her professional background also includes working at the Land Registry, giving her valuable insight into property and land matters, expertise that strengthens the CIC’s future facility planning. Alongside her teaching, she supports the business and operational side of The Swim Academy, advising on administration, accounts, and day-to-day management.
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As part of a neurodivergent family, Wendy also understands the importance of creating inclusive and supportive environments for children with ADHD, autism, and other neurodivergences. Her blend of teaching experience, operational knowledge, and lived insight makes her an invaluable consultant to the CIC.
Wendy -
Senior Swimming & Operations Consultant
Lee -
Senior Construction & Aquatic Facilities Consultant
Lee has been in construction for over 40 years, running his own company and earning a reputation for
meticulous precision and high-quality workmanship, his reputation precedes him. His experience spans the
design and build of both residential and commercial projects, including a commercial swimming pool.
Alongside his building expertise, Lee is pool plant qualified and has hands-on knowledge of the daily running of pools and swim schools, gained through supporting his wife’s long-established swim school. This unique blend of construction and operational insight means he understands not only how to build pools, but also how to keep them running safely and efficiently day-to-day.
As a father and grandfather in a neurodivergent family, Lee also recognises the importance of designing environments that work for children and adults with ADHD, autism, and other neurodivergences. His knowledge and attention to detail ensure our future facilities will be both technically sound and genuinely accessible.
Brogan -
Community Health & Fitness Advocate
Brogan currently works at primary school, supporting neurodivergent children in the classroom, leading
after school and holiday sports clubs. She is also an aspiring personal trainer and fitness influencer, with a
focus on mental health, mindfulness, and positivity.
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Brogan inspires those around her with her uplifting energy, turning bad moods into good and encouraging a healthy, active lifestyle.
She is currently campaigning to bring an outdoor calisthenics gym to her local community, tirelessly advocating for wellbeing and accessible fitness. Her passion for inclusion, sport, and mental health adds powerful value to our team.
Support Brogans socials!
Charlie -
Ambassador & Assistant Swimming Teacher
Charlie first joined The Swim Academy as a pupil age 11, he went on to rarely miss a lesson and has
shown strong dedication by completing both sets of work experience with us, building strong leadership skills.
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Over time, he progressed from pupil to volunteer, and is now training as a swimming teacher, shadowing lessons
and supporting children in the pool, with the aim of running his own classes in the future.
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Charlie plays an active role in supporting the team, he has helped shape advertising and marketing projects, and contributed to building valuable business connections. Energetic, enthusiastic, and reliable, Charlie brings new ideas and consistent commitment to every project.
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Living with ADHD himself, Charlie offers unique insight into the experiences of neurodivergent children and the importance of inclusive spaces. He has previously volunteered with a neurodivergent football club, where he supported other neurodivergent children, further showing his passion for helping others. Through his teaching, leadership, and advocacy, Charlie is a key youth voice and a strong example of how young people can help drive real change.
Youth Ambassadors
Kaila - 14
Youth Ambassador & Social Media Assistant
Kaila has been swimming with The Swim Academy for several years and is passionate about helping other young people access safe, inclusive swimming. At just 14, she has already become a hardworking and hands-on member of our team, bringing creativity and energy to everything she does.
As a Youth Ambassador, Kaila plays an active role in, fundraising, marketing, and advertising, she has taken charge of our social media, often sharing new ideas that help us reach and engage families. She has supported our CIC’s community outreach, contributing to campaigns that raise awareness of the barriers neurodivergent children face in accessing leisure.
Dedicated and reliable, Kaila represents the importance of youth voice in our mission and shows how young people can shape the future of inclusive swimming. Her commitment, imagination, and lived experience strengthen both The Swim Academy and ourCIC, making her an invaluable part of our journey forward.
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Jake - 20 & Jasmine -15
Youth Ambassadors
Jake and his sister Jasmine have been part of The Swim Academy for over six years and continue to enjoy
their lessons every week. Both are autistic and live with myotonic dystrophy, attending a local SEN school
where they’ve thrived with the right support.​
Jake has now taken the next step into college, studying animal care - a path that combines his love of learning with his passion for animals. Jasmine is still at school and has her sights set on becoming an SEN teacher, inspired by her own experiences and a strong drive to help others.
Outside of swimming, they both enjoy spending time together as a family, exploring new activities, and supporting causes close to their hearts. They’ve seen first-hand the difference that accessible environments make, and they’re passionate about making sure no young person is excluded from the opportunities they’ve been able to enjoy.
As Youth Ambassadors for our CIC, Jake and Jasmine bring their own experiences, creativity, and insight into our decision-making process. Their voices will help ensure our facilities are welcoming, accessible, and shaped by the people who need them most.
Margot - 5
Youth Ambassador
Margot is our youngest youth ambassador at just 7 years old, recently diagnosed with autism and PDA.
Margot has been swimming with us for almost 2 years now, although worried at first she is now able to, jump into the deep end and swim a full length unaided with very good technique. She is one of our best little lifeguards and is currently working towards her official Little Lifeguard Award! Margot has big ideas for our new facilities, she understands the needs of others and is always so helpful and kind in her lessons, she will be a vital part of our process, helping us to make everything as neurodivergent friendly as possible!
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