Writtle Watersports
Utilising blue spaces
The Active Thames partnership and Find Your Active small grants programme has awarded grants across 2022-23 which have allowed Writtle University College to engage residents in water activities on their onsite reservoir. These sessions have meant individuals have the opportunity to try new activities that they haven't previously have had access to.
Being on the water can be a great stress reliever for staff who have engaged in this project. The inclusivity of the sessions and ability to try something new, has allowed Writtle University College to engage with the wider community and create accessible sessions for residents to participate in. Through this funding they have been able to encourage SEND students and over 50's to take part in the weekly group to support their physical and mental wellbeing, whilst boosting social inclusion among the community.
Through Find Your Active small grant funding, the college were able to offer Paddleboarding to 40 children from a local SEN school. Spending over an hour on the water, they were able to experience new activities and movements as a group, utilising sensory methods, the instructor adapted the sessions to suit everyone.
Understanding physical literacy barriers, the college expanded this offer to encourage the SEN students to broaden their outlook on physical activity by using nature and the outdoors as a motivator to increase their activity levels, and therefore their number of positive attitudes towards sport and physical activity.
In addition, the Active Thames funding helped to establish an over 50’s session, encouraging participants to spend time on the water. Over the weeks, confidence grew with one 73-year-old practising kneeling to standing at home, so she could return and stand on the paddleboard by the end of the programme. Due to the connections they made with others, they all regularly returned, and also met up outside of the group due to the friendships they'd formed.
The plans for the reservoir consist of making it more accessible for residents in wheelchairs to access the area and have developed sensory ‘sit spots’ where people can relax, watch the sessions and also enjoy the nature.
The feedback from these sessions have been extremely positive, with people reporting how much they enjoyed their time spent on the water. The programmes have inspired participants to experience a new activity and build their confidence on the water. The instructors have since fed back that it was great to see participants enjoying themselves, smiling and finding a love for water activities.
