Improving mental health and wellbeing

According to the NHS, one in five young people are experiencing a diagnosable mental health condition, and many more are struggling without access to timely support.

For the past 15 years, The Wave Project has been working to change that.

Our mission is to intervene early, treat young people with respect, and use an activity they can genuinely connect with — surfing — to support better mental health and wellbeing.

Our Surf Therapy programme is a three step intervention:

Our Surf Therapy programme is a three-step intervention, designed to meet young people where they are and support them over time.

Step 1: Six-week Surf Therapy course

Step 2: Surf Club

Step 3: Progression to volunteering as Surf Mentor (where appropriate)

This structure allows young people to build confidence, develop meaningful relationships and continue their journey for as long as they need.

Six week Surf Therapy course

When young people are referred to us, they are often experiencing anxiety, low confidence or difficulties with emotional regulation. Our six-week Surf Therapy course provides a supported introduction to surfing, helping young people overcome fears around the water and feel more capable of facing challenges in the sea and beyond. Each participant is supported by a dedicated Surf Mentor, who encourages them throughout their journey, builds trust and helps develop resilience through positive experiences in the waves.

Young people are encouraged to:

Work at their own pace
Set their own challenges
Celebrate small successes

By week six, many participants report feeling calmer, more confident and better equipped to manage challenges in their everyday lives.

Make a referral

Surf Club

Surf Club is open to all young people who have completed a Surf Therapy course. It provides ongoing, open-ended support, allowing young people to:

Build friendships

Improve their surfing skills

Strengthen confidence and social connection

There is no limit on how long young people can attend Surf Club. Sessions are available for as long as they need them, recognising that mental health journeys are not linear.

Surf Club members continue to benefit from a safe, welcoming environment as well as having all kit and equipment provided. This phase of our programme enables young people to build on the progress made during Surf Therapy and feel more comfortable with themselves and others over time.

Progressing to volunteering as Surf Mentor

Once Surf Club members reach the age of 14, they may be eligible to begin training as Surf Mentors.

This pathway enables some young people to complete a powerful journey — from receiving support to helping others through Surf Therapy.

Volunteering is not the right step for everyone, and that’s okay. Some young people choose to continue as Surf Club members, focusing on their own wellbeing and development. At every stage, we work to the objectives of the young person, not our own.

Why It Works

Independent research, supported by academic partnerships, demonstrates clear positive improvements after completing Surf Therapy.

In 2024/25, young people who joined our programme experienced improvements in key wellbeing indicators:

70.5% felt more resilient

70.3% gained confidence

66.2% felt calmer

52.5% developed more trust

Alternative support

Our Surf Therapy is proven to improve the wellbeing of its participants. However, we are not a solution for young people in crisis. There are lots of great organisations that offer immediate support. If you, or somebody you know, feels really low, or are at crisis point, then NHS 111 is there to help you. Simply dial 111 from your phone and select the mental health option. If you or somebody else is at immediate risk of harm, please call 999.

Alternatively, we also recommend:

Childline is there to help anybody under 19 with issues they are going through. You can talk about anything by ringing 0800 1111. You can also contact them via email or online with their 1-2-1 counsellor chat.

Shout is a free, confidential 24/7 text messaging support service for young people struggling with their mental health. To start the conversation, please text ‘shout’ to 85258 to talk to one of Shout’s trained volunteers.

YoungMinds is a mental health charity for young people. They provide advice and helplines for both young people and their parents. Their website has lots of information about how to deal with poor mental health.

Improving mental health and wellbeing

Step 1: Six-week Surf Therapy course

Step 2: Surf Club

Step 3: Progression to volunteering as Surf Mentor (where appropriate)

Six week Surf Therapy course

“His mental health has improved massively. There were no expectations. No pressure was put on him; it was all just very chill – just what he needed.”

Surf Club

Progressing to volunteering as Surf Mentor

Why It Works

At worst, we improve young lives, at best, we save them.

Alternative support

Improving mental health and wellbeing

Step 1: Six-week Surf Therapy course

Step 2: Surf Club

Step 3: Progression to volunteering as Surf Mentor (where appropriate)

Six week Surf Therapy course

“His mental health has improved massively. There were no expectations. No pressure was put on him; it was all just very chill – just what he needed.”

Surf Club

Progressing to volunteering as Surf Mentor

Why It Works

At worst, we improve young lives, at best, we save them.

Alternative support

Welcome to The Wave Project!

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