The Wave Project: Seb

JOIN US: Empowering More Young Minds with Surf Therapy 

Alongside the launch of our new short film ‘Seb: A Surf Therapy Journey,’ we are raising funds for the incredible charity, The Wave Project Bristol.

The Wave Project, is an award-winning and evidence based charity that harnesses the power of surfing as an effective form of alternative therapy. In four years the Bristol branch has trained 113 volunteers and supported 131 local children who were struggling with their mental health. Each surf therapy course consists of 6 weekly sessions, each around 2 hours in length, where young people are partnered one-to-one with a volunteer surf mentor, who is there to support them physically and emotionally. There is a growing Wave Project family of young people, mentors, and coaches who all rely on donations to continue their work.  

The project also provides continued engagement and surf therapy through their surf club, which is offered after the 6-week therapy course. This is a growing community of young people and families who enjoy the waves with surf mentors each week.

Surfing is a proven method to help young minds overcome mental health challenges and discover their confidence. Through the immersive experience of riding the waves, accompanied by dedicated mentors, young individuals find solace, build resilience and confidence.

“When I get into the water it is actually relieving in a way, you don’t realise how much stress you’re having until you stop having that stress, and you’re like, 'Wow, that was a lot of stress',” says Seb, the charismatic 12-year-old with ADHD and Autism who features in the film.

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MENTAL HEALTH: ACT FOR EARLY YEARS

There is an alarming increase in mental health issues among young people, highlighting the urgent need for accessible and non-medical therapies to alleviate their suffering. The current healthcare system is struggling to keep up with the overwhelming demand for support, resulting in excessively long waiting lists. By the time children finally receive help, it can often be too late, with their conditions having worsened over time.

“He'll just say, ‘I'm not coping. I don't understand my brain. I just want to be normal like other people,’ and that's really hard as a parent when you're trying to do everything you possibly can to enable them and facilitate them and still they feel like that. And there isn't a lot of help out there unless you really fight for it and you really push for it, and even then, waiting lists are so ridiculously long,”says Seb's mum Naomi. 

In this critical scenario, surf therapy emerges as a much-needed solution that has the potential to make a profound difference in the lives of many kids, and their parents, while they wait for support. Surf therapy has the capacity to intervene at an earlier stage, helping children before their mental health concerns become overwhelming.

“When I see him just heading out there on his surfboard and just this little smile where you can see that he suddenly feels free. It sits so comfortably in him and he's not being judged and he's not having to fit into any boxes. He's just himself,” says Seb's mum Naomi.

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TOGETHER LET'S HELP MORE KIDS, LIKE SEB, RECEIVE SURF THERAPY

Your support will directly help The Wave Project expand their reach, enabling them to provide even more transformative experiences to those in need. By supporting this Crowdfunder campaign, and sharing this documentary online, you will become an integral part of changing lives and creating a brighter future for countless young individuals.

Seb's mum Naomi has noticed a significant change in Seb since he completed the course, “There's definitely been a shift and a change within himself, he definitely feels more confident about a lot of things. And hasn't been as quick to rubbish himself. And I think a lot of that is because of the encouragement and the support he had going through The Wave Project, definitely.”

Join us in making a tangible difference in the lives of countless young people by helping us generate funds that will fuel The Wave Project's mission:

Every contribution, big or small, can make a significant impact. Together, let us empower more young minds, just like Seb, by providing crucial assistance to The Wave Project. By joining forces, we can amplify their outreach and extend a helping hand to more children in need of mental health support.

THE REWARDS AND DONATIONS

Pack of five “Mr Mole: From Me to You” Postcards:

High Quality Surf Print by Wilson Alexandre:

Green wave:

Two Surfer Girls:

Painting ‘Solo Storm Surfer’ 50x40cm oil on canvas:

Bespoke Bristol Duck Project T-shirts: