Community in the Sauna
How does the sauna make you feel?
We posed this question on the chalkboard at reception. Among responses like 'reborn' and 'pain-free,' one word stood out: 'connected.' While the physical and mental health benefits are well-known, we often overlook the profound sense of community the sauna creates.
Unlike most modern wellness trends, sauna culture isn’t about competition or individualism. It’s a shared experience. A space where everyone is equal, bum towel in tow.
It’s easy to rush through your day without acknowledging those around you in urban life. But in the sauna, something shifts. You physically unfurl, and you notice the person sitting on the bench next to you. Conversations flow naturally, and before long, you’ve made a new connection - a neighbour, a friend - in a way that feels completely out of place in a city like London.
At Community Sauna Baths, we are committed to improving community wellbeing through initiatives like our social prescribing and community outreach scheme. Social prescribing connects individuals to non-clinical services, such as saunas, to support their overall health. A leading reason for referral is isolation and loneliness, reflecting how atomised our lives have become. By creating spaces that encourage connection and belonging, the sauna helps bridge those divides and bring people back together.
We love the work of Oslo Badstuforening, a non-profit association operating five floating saunas in Oslo. When we visited them in January, we saw firsthand how they’ve turned saunas into vibrant hubs for engagement, inclusivity, and connection. Founded in 2016 by a mix of anarchists and ice-bathing diplomats, Oslo Badstuforening is more established than we are, but their mission for social inclusion closely mirrors ours. Their success offers valuable lessons for cities and communities worldwide - lessons we’re eager to channel through our Community Sauna Network. Our goal is to bring accessible, affordable, and authentic sauna experiences to the UK, fostering the same spirit of togetherness and belonging.
Here in Hackney, we embraced this ethos, spending new year’s eve in the sauna. This was a sober celebration, offering an alternative to our culture that centres drinking. As Charlie, our co-founder, aptly put it, " the sauna is helping to redefine what socialising can look like’. It’s a reminder that joy and connection can thrive in simplicity.
When we invest in spaces that bring people together, we create stronger, healthier, and more vibrant communities. It’s clear that the community sauna baths are becoming more than just a place to sweat - it’s a place to belong.