Team Building at the beach

Friday afternoons are often there to be enjoyed, a time to get excited about the weekend and a time to relax a little from the stresses of work, possibly a couple of beers with your friends and colleagues. Friday afternoons at Surf Action can be about getting their veterans they work with through the weekend with a little more self-belief and positive thinking.

Those who have been following Surf Actions’ Surf and Beach Clinics over the past weeks will know that the sessions are partly funded by Cornwall Works 50+ and Cornwall Works 50+ Cares, which is funded by the European Social Fund. This week the St Buryan based Community Interest Company invited Tim Cocks from the Devon and Cornwall Fire Brigade to introduce the group to some team building and problem solving activities. Russ Pierre said “Tim leads Project Phoenix and uses these activities to work with young offenders and disadvantaged youngsters. Soon to be working in partnership with Surf Action, Tim has many years of experience building confidence and identifying inner strengths needed to move forward in society and its going to be great working with him”.

Each week Surf Action are attracting new participants and this week saw Sue Robinson from The Soldiers Charity (ABF) and her colleague Jeanette join in the fun designed to develop leadership, trust, communication and listening skills. Teaming up with two veterans Simon Green and Craig Foster they all took it in their stride to use their initiative to solve the problems set with just a piece of rope, some old tyres, a few pieces of wood and the beach. Tim Cocks enthusiastically stated “Its amazing that such simple resources can have such a positive affect on people”.

Last week Craig joined the group accompanied by his health worker from Pentreath Ltd. He enjoyed the coastal walk so much he said “it actually got him through the weekend, it got me out of the house”, the group has literally given him a way to move forward. A former soldier, Craig was also a joiner and retained firefighter until a tragic incident led to the darkest past four years suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

This week Craig returned to the beach; he went out last week and bought a motorbike to ensure he did not miss the Friday session. Through meeting Tim there is a possibility that Craig will be now be working to gain a coaching qualification and then take these same activities to other community groups. Meeting Sue from The Soldiers Charity may open up funding for Craig that he was not aware of, and meeting Surf Action has given Craig future aspirations.

Surf Action is moving forward and the veterans and 50+ participants are moving forward with them. “Our goal is smiles on faces, once we have a smile we can move forward” said Russ Pierre. The people we work with are amazing, and today we saw real evidence that our beach sessions are working.

Thank you to everyone who supports us, Cornwall Works, The Lottery Fund, Grass Roots (photography equipment) c-skins wetsuits, and a big thanks to Doug and Al at Sunset Surf Cafe at Gwithian.

If you are a veteran or 50+ and possibly out of work and interested in finding out more visit www.surfaction.co.uk or please contact Russ or Rich on 01736 811920 or email: russ@surfaction.co.uk or rich@surfaction.co.uk

Come and Join Us.

Each Friday since mid February Surf Action have introduced Surf and Beach Clinics which have been successful in bringing veterans and those over 50 to the beach. Using the open environment to clear their minds and change their perspective of what their future can hold in terms of feeling positive, confident and building self-esteem the clinics are attracting more participants each week. The clinic this week took our veterans from Sunset Surf Cafe at Gwithian Towans over to Godrevy to see the seals resting during their winter lay up. Nigel from the Wildlife Trust has joined the group to provide real added value to the walks, providing some great geological interpretation and educational team building but also he has met fellow surfers who enjoy the great outdoors.

Last week we also invited Catherine Powell from the London Meditation Project who works specifically with sufferers of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Meditation can help to deal with ongoing conditions of anger, anxiety, panic attacks, sleeplessness and nightmares and these can be symptoms suffered by combat veterans.

The session was used to introduce a few of our vets and 50+ to a method of relaxation that uses breathing techniques and self awareness. This ‘mindfullness’ teaches us to be aware of our body’s emotions and can lead to an awareness that can also help with negative emotions such as guilt, deep sadness and fear. We don’t believe surfing, walking or meditation are a ‘quick fix’ but given time can all help make us make better decisions about self care in life, offer a sense of belonging in society and in cases peace of mind.

Sea of Joy.

This says it all.

Come for a walk

Our second surf and beach clinic at Gwithian beach happened today. Its great to see new faces each week and it boosts our confidence even more when great people like Trevor and Daphne come back each week. By building friendships and a positive environment, everyone will be amongst friends when the water warms up and we get in the surf.

Thanks to everyone for their support. We would also like to announce we will be supported by C-Skins wetsuits this year which is great news. This means all who come will be toasty and warm in brand new suits. Happy days.

Surf and Beach Clinic

Last Friday saw the first Surf and Beach clinic held by Surf Action at Gwithian Towans. By using the beach environment Surf action are promoting and protecting the physical and mental health and welfare of local combat veterans suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Their project, partly funded by Cornwall Works also extend their activities to Cornish residents over the age of 50 who may be out of work or suffering from mental health problems and looking for a way back to work by feeling more confident. As was the case last Friday the weather and waves were not great for surfing, so Surf Action Directors Rich Emerson and Russ Pierre took six veterans for a good walk along the beach.

Rich Emerson stated “It was an excellent way to blow away the cobwebs, talk to friends, feel positive about the future and change their perspective of how the beach can be used. “

The beach clinic programme is aimed at offering veterans, their families and 50+ the opportunity to come to the beach and find out what an exhilarating, positive and social experience the beach environment can be.

Russ Pierre said “When the waves are good we’ll always go surfing, if not, we shall be walking, exploring the beach environment and taking part in gentle activities such as problem solving, foraging, beach cleaning, ideal activities for making new friends”.

Surf Action believes their project boosts moral, confidence; self esteem and can be positive and complimentary therapy to ongoing rehabilitation. From their work with the veterans and amputees returning from Afghanistan the act of simply taking them surfing has brought a smile to many a face and shown them that anything is possible. By using surfing and the surrounding environment to create a social network for the veterans and importantly their families, Surf Action are creating a community that is more than just riding waves with friends, but a bond, and a means to help others.

These clinics will be held each Friday at Gwithian Towans, meeting at 12pm at Sunset Surf Café. Those interested in finding out more can contact Russ or Rich on 01736 811920 or email russ@surfaction.co.uk.

Peoples Millions

We did it. Thanks again to everyone who voted and all those who gave us all their time and amazing support over the past few weeks. Its been emotional!!

WE WON THE £50k, Thankyou

We won.. Thanks to everyone who voted for us yesterday. Surf Action were tonight presented with a check for £50k. It was amazing to have so much support from all our friends and families. Myself and Rich Emerson want to say a massive thankyou to everyone who has given their time and huge efforts to make this possible. This money will make all the difference to achieving great things, we can now help more combat veterans suffering from PTSD and physical injuries, we can now put more smiles on more faces. Thanks again