Mission Statement

SWIM helps people in 'hard-to-reach' groups to access what they need to live healthy, purposeful lives. We connect them to the housing, health and training and employment. We exist to add social value by giving something back - and encouraging the people we support to do the same - so we contribute to a brighter future for all everyone who lives in Hackney.

Value Statement

We believe equality and inclusion drives creativity, so we work to inspire a sense of belonging in others. We offer our life experience and skills so other people can lead better lives as active contributors to our communities.

Reduce Re-offending Support

Social Inclusion Programme

Drug and Alcohol Support

Digital Online Services

Services We Offer

Older people desistance programme
Project & programme management and business consultancy services
Social prescribing - connecting people to community groups and statutory services for practical and emotional support
Drug, alcohol and criminal justice support services
Collaborating with service providers, commissioners & researchers on new technologies to support service users

Who we do it with?

Prison and Probation services
Local authority commissioners
Mental health services
Education, training & employment organisations
Charities and third sector organisations
Research organisations
Public and Private sector organisations

About Us

What we love to do for others

SWIMs works to build the capacity to employ people and companies who are local to where we are working. Choosing to work with SWIM you are investing in sustainable solutions and capacity and skill building within your local community.

Swim Chief Executive (Peter Merrifield)

SWIM’s founder, Peter Merrifield, has many years’ experience leading multi-disciplinary health and social care teams. He ran adults and young people’s drug, alcohol, criminal justice and dual diagnosis services in Greenwich for 6 years. Peter has managed a wide range or projects including end-to-end service re-design, with a focus on promoting self care and management.

Peter is also the Chief Executive of Digital First Innovations Limited (a healthcare design and technology company), helping healthcare providers redesign their services and improve their digital online service.

He has hands-on expertise leading a range of projects and programmes – overseeing all aspects of project delivery including communications, ICT and marketing. A born and bred Hackney resident, Peter’s passion has always been to give something back to his community which led him to setup Support When It Matters (SWIM) CIC in 2019. The aim of the service is to empower people to make positive change to your life, re-build family relationships and access education training and employment.

Testimonials

What our clients say about us

During our time working together Peter and his team led two service redesigns, and oversaw the implementation of a new criminal justice service and a new Children & Young People's service. In both instances, Peter was quick to grasp the strategic vision and translate it into a deliverable plan which he efficiently implemented, from inception to completion. What stood out about Peter were his values and his work ethic.

Philip Breslin

Former Drug & Alcohol Commissioner, Greenwich Council

Peter was responsible for implementing the upgrade EMIS and SystmOne clinical system to accept 111 direct appointment booking during surgery hours from 111 providers. Peter displayed numerous strengths including excellent communication and engagement skills with a range of stakeholders including Local Medical Committees, clinical leads, practice managers and senior management teams. His core skill is his work ethics and ability to overcome challenges and obstacles.

Peter’s positive attitude ensured he was extremely productive, helped with whatever was needed and remained proactive, ensuring the project was always progressing. Peter routinely sent updates to stakeholders at all levels. What stood out was that he made things simple to understand even when explaining quite complicated and intricate matters.