Environment Week
The Wave Project, founded in 2010, is a groundbreaking charity that offers the world’s first Government-funded Surf Therapy courses.
Since its inception, the charity has supported over 12,000 children and young people, focusing on improving mental health and well-being through an innovative combination of surfing and mentorship.
Originally based in Cornwall, The Wave Project has expanded across the UK, now operating in locations from North Yorkshire to Northern Ireland. The charity’s core values include inclusivity, early intervention and respect for participants. Their approach is designed to boost confidence, self-esteem and resilience in children and young people facing mental health challenges.
The Wave Project’s programme consists of three key steps: a six-week Surf Therapy course, ongoing surf club participation and further opportunities for participants to progress to volunteering roles. This structured approach has shown significant results, with participants experiencing notable increases in confidence and positive functioning. In 2023 alone, the charity supported over 2,100 children.
Inclusivity is at the heart of The Wave Project’s mission. The charity has developed an Adaptive Surfing programme to ensure that young people with physical disabilities can also benefit from Surf Therapy. This initiative includes specialised equipment such as beach wheelchairs, seated boards and adapted wetsuits, making surfing accessible to all.
In addition to their core Surf Therapy work, The Wave Project has launched an innovative Wetsuit Recycling Scheme in partnership with SUEZ, a waste-management company.
This pioneering initiative aims to address the environmental challenge posed by discarded wetsuits in Cornwall, where an estimated 380 tonnes of non-recyclable neoprene are generated annually.
The scheme, supported by the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Good Growth Programme, places dedicated recycling bins at local waste recycling centers. Collected wetsuits are then cleaned, repaired if possible and resold at the charity’s store at affordable prices. Wetsuits beyond repair are upcycled into new products, showcasing The Wave Project’s commitment to both social and environmental sustainability.
