Prisoners transform trailer to disabled surfers' changing room

Friday 28 December 2018

Disabled islanders hoping to catch a wave will next year be able to benefit from an accessible mobile changing room after the efforts of prisoners and a generous donation from a bank helped transform an old trailer.

Healing Waves is a local surf charity made up of a team of 30 surf-savvy volunteers who dedicate their time to ensuring that islanders who may not normally be able to enjoy water activities can enjoy the ocean in a safe and therapeutic way, regardless of their conditions or disabilities.

The ocean-based charity was founded in 2017 by Max Whiltshire, Seán Burke and Dominic Booth, three friends who have worked in the care sector for many years. Passionate about the benefits being in the water can have, they decided to offer Ocean Therapy through guided surf, paddle and flow sessions. Their aim with Healing Waves was to make sure all the individuals taking part come away feeling "empowered and confident in their own abilities."

Pictured: (from left to right) Dominic Booth, Seán Burke and Max Whiltshire

In 2019, the charity will take another step forward with the addition of a new accessible changing room.

A recent £10,000 donation from Lloyds Bank Foundation helped to build a mobile changing trailer designed for people of all physical and neurological abilities. The new changing room is due to be ready in time for the return of the surfing sessions next year.

It was converted by prisoners in their workshop with local companies, Pentagon, Technicare, Flawless Flooring, Catex Hygienic Cladding Ltd and Kevin Beaton Automotive, donating material and offering assistance in the process.

Charity Chairman Max Whiltshire commented: “We are so proud of the opportunities Healing Waves has provided to so many individuals in Jersey, who might not have otherwise been able to experience the healing power of the sea."

He continued: "The funding from Lloyds Bank Foundation is so important to us and we are incredibly grateful for all the support we receive. Now we are able to provide a comfortable space for people to get ready with dignity and warmth – the latter being a real luxury when you get out of your wetsuit!”

Jo Le Poidevin, Executive Director, Lloyds Bank Foundation, added: “The work which Healing Waves does in the Island is truly unique and it’s wonderful to be able to support the charity’s expansion and improvement for the future. Healing Waves take a person-centred approach tailoring their ocean therapy experience to accommodate their individual needs. The Foundation is delighted to support Healing Waves’ ambition to make the ocean more inclusive for some of Jersey’s most vulnerable people.”

With the New Year just around the corner, Healing Waves is now seeking more passionate, sea-loving volunteers to get involved so they can host further sessions and give more vulnerable individuals the chance to enjoy themselves in the sea and benefit from ocean therapy.

Max added: “While we have a fantastic team of volunteers, we need more and are urging any islanders who love the ocean to get in touch and see how they might be able to help us. It is so rewarding to help people’s dreams come true and to see their smiles when they catch a wave.”