Local businesswoman vows to continue bid for Children’s Minister after death of much-loved colleague
Tamsin Brewis, who owns baby swim school Water Babies Bucks and Beds, is trailblazing a nationwide campaign to appoint a Cabinet Minister for Children and Young People. Passionate about children’s health, wellbeing and development, Tamsin is keen to communicate the importance of giving children a voice in politics - especially important now as, until this Sunday, we recognise Children’s Mental Health Week.
Tamsin - who has been teaching little ones to swim for 16 years - will be campaigning in memory of Steve Franks, CEO of Water Babies UK. Since launching the Children First campaign - now recognised as the Children’s Alliance - in 2018, Steve worked tirelessly to gather the support of the public by working with child development specialists, like Tamsin, to raise the profile of the cause. Sadly, Steve passed away in April 2020, having contracted COVID-19. Understandably, this tragic loss has galvanised the Water Babies network and has inspired Tamsin to champion Steve’s campaign.
“We have all been devastated by the sad passing of our much-loved colleague and friend,” explained Tamsin. “I was so proud to campaign alongside him and raise the profile of this worthy cause, so it goes without saying that I will continue to champion the bid in his memory.
“Our children are fast becoming the least healthy generation in decades, and this is mainly down to access to technology, leading to inactivity, obesity and mental health issues. Globally, childhood obesity has increased by 28% in less than 25 years1. It’s also terrifying to know that a third of 11-year-olds in the UK leave primary school without being able to swim2 - swimming is a basic life skill which can save lives. Not enough is being done to ensure our children are getting the best start in life. They deserve the support of a designated authoritative voice to drive policies which will improve their future.”
The role that Tamsin and the rest of the Children’s Alliance members are campaigning for would work in a similar way, as the best interests of women are dealt with by the current Cabinet Minister for Women and Equalities. “Although there is already a junior Ministerial post within government - the Minister of State for Children, Young People and Families - this post doesn’t carry enough authority to pass regulations which benefit children in a wider sense. Of course, these things take time, but getting this issue in front of policy makers at a higher level will hopefully help us achieve our goal, which is why a nationwide petition has been put in place. We need just under 6,000 signatures to get a response from parliament, so we’re doing all that we can to raise our profile and gain the support of the public.”
As a testament to Tamsin’s passion for the cause, she and her teachers have planned a whole host of fundraising events throughout 2021. Coming up this autumn is the Water Babies Bucks and Beds biennial ‘Splashathon’ event, whereby little ones take on sponsored challenges in the pool. This year, funds will be split equally between the baby charity Tommy’s and the Children’s Alliance.
“Our aim is to invest the funding in a nationwide initiative that provides free swimming lessons to families that need them most, which is a fundamental component of the entire campaign - promoting the importance of children’s physical and mental health. Bringing this cause to the forefront is of paramount importance to me. Together, we can make a real change.
“Every voice counts - please help us make a change for the future by signing the petition.”
To sign the petition, visit http://bit.ly/2Y8eIrl
1 World Health Organization, 2016, Commission on Ending Childhood Obesity.
2 Swim England, 2018, Active Lives Children and Young People.