Learning to swim as a (terrified) 56 year old

[Shelovesmilktray]

Does anyone have any experience or knowledge re learning to swim as an adult?
I am 56 and have never learnt to swim. I am very frightened of water/swimming pools/the sea - probably dating from my Dad attempting to teach me on holiday when I was 5. Rough sea, shelving beach. Not a success.
I have tried one to one swimming lessons without success. A course of hypnotherapy left me able to sit on the bottom of the pool quite happily but not able to swim.
I would love to be able to swim. I am overweight and need more exercise.
I want to join in with everyone and jump into the pool on holiday.
Any suggestions? Encouraging stories especially welcome

Was going to suggest one to one. What happened for that to fail?

You can do it! My mum learned to swim when she was 60. She didn't want to put her face in so only doggy paddled to the first few years. You just need the right teacher. You absolutely can do it.

I can swim but I absolutely hate putting my face in the water. It drives me to panic. I have no idea why. I've never had a bad experience with water at all.

I don't swim unless I'm taking the kids swimming and I don't go into deep water either. I'd day I have a fear of drowning even though I can swim. It's not being able to put my feet down that scares me. Like I say have no idea why though but I feel your fear

If you live near me, you can come swimming with me. I used to go to a lovely pool that was shallow enough to stand up in the deep end.

I’ll message you.

I think you need the right teacher and environment to learn - when I had to relearn to swim after acquiring a disability I had lessons with a guy who used an endless pool. It was a) totally private so I didn't have to worry about other people looking at me or getting distracted b) very small and shallow so always by the wall effectively c) they were able to use things like fins/snorkels to help me do the right thing and d) they were always right by me watching from above and below using mirrors.

A couple of years ago I met a lady who hadn't been able to swim till her 50's - and when I met her two years after she'd learnt she was training to swim the channel in a relay team!

I learnt as an adult in adult swimming lessons. I was struggling to relax in the water and my instructor told me to imagine I'm lying on my bed and it worked!! I got my 25m! I don't put my face in the water but I can do a reasonable breast stroke and now it's my favourite form of exercise. Good luck I hope you find your breakthrough too!