ABOUT US
Bluetonic was founded by Scott Clayton in 2020, inspired by reading Blue Mind by Dr Wallace J. Nichols and its exploration of the relationship between water, our minds and our wellbeing.Scott's journey towards founding the charity was deeply personal. Losing his father at the age of 18 had a lasting impact on his life, contributing to emotional challenges that he continued to navigate into adulthood. Through his own experiences of
Our Story
mental health difficulties and, later, trauma counselling, Scott discovered the positive impact that spending time in and around water could have on his wellbeing.
This personal journey, combined with the inspiration of Blue Mind, led Scott to establish Bluetonic with a clear purpose: to help others experience the benefits of blue spaces and make those opportunities accessible to people who might otherwise face barriers to participation.
Today, Bluetonic brings this vision to life through community projects, water safety education and wellbeing activities that help people build confidence, develop relationships and improve their mental health.
THE TEAM
Meet Our Founder – Scott Clayton
Scott Clayton founded Bluetonic in 2020, inspired by his belief in the power of water to improve our mental health and wellbeing. In 2025, after taking voluntary redundancy from his role on the Policy Team at Derbyshire County Council, Scott took the next step towards fulfilling a long-held dream: dedicating more of his time to growing Bluetonic and helping more people experience the benefits of being in, on and around water.
Scott’s passion for this work is deeply personal. Having experienced his own mental health challenges following the trauma of losing his father at the age of 18, he understands how important it can be to find activities and experiences that support our wellbeing. His own journey, alongside the ideas explored in Blue Mind by Dr Wallace J. Nichols, helped inspire the creation of Bluetonic and continues to shape everything he does.
Today, Scott brings together a wide range of skills and experiences to help people connect with water. A qualified open-water swimming coach, he led wild swimming activities at the Deer Shed Festival in 2023 and 2024. He is also a paddleboard instructor, runs hot and cold water wellbeing sessions incorporating sauna experiences, and operates Seals Swim Academy, his own swimming school.
For Scott, these activities are about much more than learning a skill or trying something new. They are opportunities to build confidence, connect with others, spend time in nature and discover the positive impact that water can have on our lives.At the heart of everything Scott does is Blue Mind — the idea that our connection with water can support our mental, emotional and physical wellbeing. Inspired by the work of Dr Wallace J. Nichols, Scott hopes to play his own small part in continuing to share this important message and making its benefits accessible to more people.Through Bluetonic, his ambition is simple: to help people discover their own connection with water and experience the difference it can make.
Paul Dickens - Chair of Trustees
Paul is a keen open-water swimmer who also enjoys kayaking and spending time in, on and around water. Professionally, he is a senior manager working for a social housing provider, bringing valuable leadership experience and a strong commitment to improving people's lives.
Paul is passionate about helping people overcome challenges, build confidence and find opportunities to improve their wellbeing. He believes that blue spaces have so much to offer and is particularly interested in finding new ways to encourage people to be active, connect with their local environment and experience the benefits of water.
As Chair of Bluetonic, Paul supports the charity's development and its ambition to make blue spaces more accessible to everyone, helping us reach more people and create opportunities for healthier, happier communities.
Clara Morley - Treasurer
Clara is a careers adviser with over 20 years’ experience supporting young people to identify and overcome barriers, raise their aspirations and realise their potential. She is passionate about helping people build confidence, recognise their strengths and access opportunities that can make a positive difference to their lives.
Clara has also played an important role in shaping Bluetonic’s Undercurrents project, helping to create opportunities for women to connect, share experiences and support their wellbeing. As Treasurer, she brings her experience, commitment and enthusiasm to the development of the charity.
Outside work, Clara enjoys spending time outdoors, exploring local blue spaces and visiting the coast whenever possible. She appreciates the benefits of being in and around water, whether walking beside a river, enjoying a peaceful moment by a lake or taking in the fresh air at the seaside.
Clara believes that everyone should have the opportunity to experience the positive impact that nature and blue spaces can have on our wellbeing, and she is proud to support Bluetonic in making these opportunities accessible to more people.
Jane North - Secretary
Jane is passionate about the positive impact that blue spaces can have on mental health and wellbeing. She regularly walks and cycles along the Grantham Canal and River Trent, and enjoys exploring further afield by paddleboard or kayak. During lockdown, she discovered wild swimming after swimming pools closed, developing an even deeper appreciation for the wonder, beauty and restorative power of nature.
Jane plays an important role in developing and delivering Bluetonic’s programmes. She has been instrumental in the development of Awaken Your Blue Mind, including helping to create its journal, which encourages people to reflect on their experiences and wellbeing. She is also a key contributor to Undercurrents, helping shape and support the delivery of this programme for women, creating opportunities for connection, shared experiences and improved wellbeing through blue spaces.
Previously, she was a Programme Director within Nottinghamshire County Council's Social Care services, bringing valuable leadership experience and a strong commitment to supporting people and communities.