Harry, Jake and Alicia have hit the beach and are learning to surf! For children who can brave the British sea temperature, surfing is a fun and exciting way to exercise, let off steam and get fresh air. But there鈥檚 also a lot more to it than that.
Their surfing courses are run by the Wave Project, which is supported by 主播大秀 Children in Need, and are for local children and young people aged 8 to 18 with exceptional difficulties in their lives. Some of the children who attend are facing challenges associated with abuse and neglect, exclusion, ADHD, Autistic Spectrum Disorder, eating disorders and bullying.
Staff have seen how surfing can play a part in turning these children鈥檚 lives around, helping them overcome anxiety, depression and build up their self-confidence.
Find out how this project uses surfing to help vulnerable children.
The courses have become so popular that the Wave Project is set to launch three new surf club branches in the spring after trebling in size in less than a year!
Joe Taylor from the Wave Project says: "It has been amazing how many young people have joined the club this year. When we launched in 2012, our aim was to provide one session a month for young people who had completed one of our therapeutic courses. Now we are trying to cater for over 120 members, many of whom want to go surfing every week. And because we offer one to one support, we have to make sure we have enough staff available for each session. It鈥檚 a big logistical challenge!鈥�
The club plans to open branches in west, mid and north Cornwall, which will deliver a free surfing session once a week in the summer season, with individual support for members who need it.
Harry, who's听10, came on a Wave Project course in September 2013 and loved it so much he joined the Surf Club straight after!听
He says: 鈥淚 love going to The Wave Project because it鈥檚 good, and I like going out with other people like me. It鈥檚 lots of fun. I had a bit of confidence before doing The Wave Project, but I鈥檝e got more now!鈥�
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