South West surf therapy programme supports young people affected by cancer
The Wave Project pilot helps children and siblings build confidence in the water
A surf therapy programme at The Wave in Bristol is helping children and young people affected by cancer to build confidence and improve their wellbeing.
The six-week pilot is funded by Somerset Wiltshire Avon and Gloucestershire (SWAG) Cancer Alliance and delivered by the charity The Wave Project.
It is supporting children and young people who are living with or recovering from cancer, as well as siblings whose lives have also been affected by a cancer diagnosis.
Who is taking part
Eight young people aged eight to 18 are taking part.
They include five children currently under active cancer follow-up care, two siblings and one bereaved sibling.
The programme is part of SWAG Cancer Alliance's Living With and Beyond Cancer work.
The alliance says the impact of cancer extends well beyond treatment and can affect emotional wellbeing, confidence, social connections and physical activity levels for both patients and their families.
It has been delivered in partnership with the South West Children, Teenage and Young Adult Cancer Network.
What the programme involves
The Wave Project is a charity that runs Surf Therapy programmes aimed at helping young people improve their mental health and wellbeing.
Through six structured sessions, participants are supported to develop confidence, resilience, self-esteem and positive relationships in a safe environment.
Why it was set up
Children and young people who have experienced cancer often face ongoing challenges such as anxiety, reduced confidence, social isolation and uncertainty about the future.
Feedback from families supported by regional NHS services has highlighted a need for wellbeing support outside traditional healthcare settings.
A recent survey of paediatric cancer patients in aftercare also identified ongoing psychological wellbeing support as one of the greatest unmet needs for young people following treatment.
The pilot aims to address this by giving participants the chance to challenge themselves, build independence, strengthen relationships with peers and develop positive coping strategies.
What organisers have said
Tim Trythall from The Wave Project said:
"We are incredibly proud to have developed this pathway for young people affected by cancer, with the care and expertise of the South West Children, Teenage and Young Adult Cancer Network team helping to make it possible. Knowing what each young person and their family has been through makes it a real privilege to welcome them into the water.
"Our evidence-based programmes bring together time in blue spaces, the physical activity of learning to surf, and support from our amazing volunteer Surf Mentors. It's been brilliant to see these young people enjoying themselves in the waves, with families cheering them on from the shoreline.
"This pilot is an exciting step towards opening up more early mental health and wellbeing support in blue spaces for young people affected by cancer, and we're looking forward to learning from the programme as it develops."
Professor Tim Whittlestone is Chief Medical and Innovation Officer at University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust and Deputy Chair of SWAG Cancer Alliance.
He said:
"We are delighted to support this innovative programme in partnership with The Wave Project, offering surf therapy to children and young people affected by cancer.
"While high-quality medical care remains at the heart of the support we provide, we also recognise the vital role that emotional wellbeing, physical activity and peer support play in helping young people recover and thrive after cancer treatment.
"For many children and families, the impact of cancer continues long after treatment has ended. This programme offers young people the opportunity to build confidence, develop resilience and connect with others who may have shared similar experiences, away from a clinical environment.
"We hope this pilot will demonstrate the value of Surf Therapy as part of a wider approach to supporting children and young people living with and beyond cancer."
A parent's view
The mother of one of the participants, Isla, said the sessions have already had a positive impact on her daughter's mood and confidence.
She said:
"Isla has been really enjoying these sessions. She was anxious about attending the first session and almost didn't want to come as she had had a bad day. I encouraged her to go as she loves being in water. After the first session she said, 'It's amazing how that has completely changed my mood!'. She was buzzing with excitement afterwards.
"From a parents point of view, it has genuinely made me emotional each week watching her achieve something she wasn't sure she could do, and be so excited by it. She has looked forward to each session and always has a constant smile on her face. It's a joy to see her enjoy it so much! It's already improved her mood and confidence levels hugely as she's realised she can achieve something that is challenging, and we're only halfway through."
What happens next
The programme will be evaluated once it finishes.
The findings will help inform future support for children and young people living with and beyond cancer across the South West.
Partners hope the pilot will help establish a sustainable model for future groups, so more families can benefit from similar wellbeing opportunities in the years ahead.