Caring Chloe joins Water Babies - young carer retrains as baby swim teacher in Luton
23-year-old Chloe Smith has always felt passionately about the difference she can make by caring for others. Having previously embarked on a nursing degree, Chloe decided that she would like to explore caring for the vulnerable people living in her own community, so she retrained as a care worker. With a particular interest in working with children, Chloe has recently embarked on a new, exciting career in the baby development field – as a baby swim teacher with Water Babies! Now teaching at pools across Luton, Milton Keynes and the surrounding areas, Chloe has already taught hundreds of local little ones.
“I feel like I’ve found my true calling in life! Meeting local families and their little swimmers has just brought me so much joy – I’ve really enjoyed getting to know the children that swim with me,” explained Chloe. “From the moment I jumped in the pool at my first Water Babies training session, I knew I was so lucky to call this a job. I love it so much that it hardly feels like work. I’m able to put my experience in caring for others to good use, whilst making a difference in my own community too. I live in Luton so it means a lot to me to teach at pools like Keech Hospice and Lady Zia Wernher School. They’re close to home and that’s very special to me.”
Chloe, who moved to Luton from Aylesbury when she initially started her nursing degree, has had a lot of experience in caring for others. Having grown up with twin brothers, who are now 15, and two step sisters, she knows a thing or two about the value of keeping an eye out for those nearest and dearest to her.
“My brothers were born prematurely, at 24 weeks, and one of them has cerebral palsy - a group of lifelong conditions that affect movement and co-ordination – so he’s always needed additional support. I’m proud to be the boys’ big sister,” added Chloe. “Like Water Babies, it was a role I was born to do! Taking care of them stayed with me throughout my childhood and teen years, which is why I think I wanted to work in the health and social care industry initially. Amongst the clients I cared for, one of the most memorable was a young girl with a brain condition – she needed a lot of support, but I always felt so lucky to be able to help her. I’ve also worked in nursing homes in the area. Being a caring person is just second nature to me.”
Through her passion for working with children, Chloe found out about local baby swim school, Water Babies Bucks and Beds, at the beginning of the year. Tamsin Brewis, who has owned and run the business since 2004, was proud to welcome Chloe to the team.
“I instantly knew that Chloe would be a perfect fit. She’s so friendly and bubbly but also takes baby development very seriously, which is so important to us at Water Babies. She started her training with us back in January and, since jumping in the pool for her first in-person lesson back in February, the families and little ones that swim with her have fallen in love with her like I knew they would. We can’t wait to see what Chloe goes on to achieve with us – she’s a wonderful addition to the Water Babies family,” explained Tamsin.
For more information about swimming lessons with Water Babies Bucks and Beds, visit
https://www.waterbabies.co.uk/lp/baby-swimming/bucks-and-beds