Giving kids a break: how surfing has helped young people in Cornwall overcome mental health and social difficulties
| Published date | 24 May 2013 |
| Pages | 82-86 |
| Date | 24 May 2013 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/20428301311330135 |
| Author | Joe Taylor |
| Subject Matter | Health & social care |
Giving kids a break: how surfing has helped
young people in Cornwall overcome mental
health and social difficulties
Joe Taylor
Joe Taylor is founder of
The Wave Project, based at
The Health and Wellbeing
Innovation Centre, Treliske,
Truro, UK.
Abstract
Purpose – The paper aims to provide a summary of an innovative three-year project that uses surfing as a
health intervention for young people with emotional, social or mental health problems.
Design/methodology/approach – The paper outlines the project which delivers six-week surfing courses
to 100 young people with mental health needs who are experiencing social exclusion. Participants’ levels of
self-confidence, self-esteem and wellbeing were measured using pre and post wellbeing rating scales,
along with feedback from clients and the people around them.
Findings – The intervention had a positive impact on the lives of participants. Average confidence and
wellbeing scores rose over the six weeks. Some clients made significant improvements in managing their
own behaviour and in achieving improved social inclusion. Examples of this cited in the paper include
children at risk of school refusal who re-engaged with school, and improvements to their behaviour at home
or with peers.
Research limitations/implications – Evaluation interviews were undertaken by volunteers, not a
professional evaluator.
Social implications – The paper describes opportunities for health trusts and local authorities to explore
surfing as a positive intervention for individuals experiencing mental health or social exclusion problems.
Originality/value – The paper highlights a highly innovative approach to re-engaging young people which
could be of value to health or local authority commissioners.
Keywords Mental health, Young people, Surfing, Water, Cornwall, Social inclusion
Paper type Research paper
If you had visited the beach at Watergate Bay in Cornwall on a Saturday morning in September
2010, you would have witnessed a group of ten young people running a surf lesson for another
group of ten different young people. Nothing terribly unusual in that, but this was a surfing
lesson with a difference. Funded by the NHS, it was the start of a pilot project to explore the
potential for surfing to be used as an intervention to assist young people with diagnosed mental
illness. This small pilot scheme grew into The Wave Project, a scheme that now delivers free
surfing lessons to over 100 people a year in Cornwall who are in touch with mental health and
social services, and are socially isolated or at risk of social exclusion.
Funded from a variety of sources, including the National Lottery, the project is helping young
people overcome problems such as depression, anxiety and low confidence. Clients are all
referred by local services, schools or other charities working with young people who are
struggling to cope. The aim is to provide a course of free surfing lessons in a group context,
helping clients improve their confidence, well-being and social skills, and to re-engage with their
peers in society. Every young person referred to the scheme receives a “surf mentor” – a local
volunteer who supports them during the lessons, providing surf tips and tuition, as well as
PAGE 82
j
MENTAL HEALTH AND SOCIAL INCLUSION
j
VOL. 17 NO. 2 2013, pp. 82-86, CEmerald Group Publishing Limited, ISSN 2042-8308 DOI 10.1108/20428301311330135
To continue reading
Request your trial