I want to build a bathhouse to connect a community

Hi, I'm Gidd.

As well as working in health and rights related education, I am a seasoned sauna user. For years, I have dreamt of building a beautiful community space to bring people together from all walks of life to re-engage with their general well-being, their mental health, their physical health and each other. I am a woman from a minoritized background and have suffered with an autoimmune condition for decades. My condition brought with it many physical and psychological challenges. Using medicines brought me little relief but through re-engaging with the ancient practice of heat shocking and cold exposure, my life was transformed. Not only this, I have made so many new connections and friends. This boosted my sense of connection with my local community and I want others to experience this amazing benefit in a beautiful space that encourages interaction and self-care. I believe that in these unsteady and uncertain times, the practice of regularly visiting a bathhouse (or sauna) is truly a way to start to repair, not only people's sense of self and improvement of their selfcare, but our sense of belonging within our community, irrespective of our backgrounds, ages or beliefs. Bathhouses have historically played the role of a community hub and safe space for millennia in many countries around the world. It was a place where people met to share stories, connect with spirits, check on each other and catch up on the local gossip. There was once a vibrant bathhouse and wash house culture in England for many years but this declined after the Victorian period.

There a many names for bathhouses: sweat lodges, saunas (Finland), teach allais (Irish), Tq'ache (Navajo), jjimjilbang (Korea), temescal (Mexico), sifutu (South Africa) and many, many more names around the world. Whatever it's called, the essence of the practice of heat bathing is universal and I would like to bring back this experience in a local community and make it not only a regular wellbeing practice but one that is fun, affordable for the community, and acknowledges the rich history of this practice within the diversity of the people who will use it.

Finding a space to do this in London on a grand scale has been the preserve of the wealthy, as it is so very expensive and also, the support for women in this business, indeed women in general, is pretty sparce. Your money will help us to create a wonderful welcoming and inclusive space and will ensure that we can provide the facilities needed to make this important human practice is available at an affordable price to people from all walks of life.

To this end I need your help. Help me build a bathhouse as a place of caring and health and a community hub.

Thank you.