Peaceful Paddle

With thanks to Bedford Giving, were able to fund an additional 6 spaces at our 9-week primary paddle club and add an additional staff member. This brought our normal ratio down significantly and enabled us to support our SEND YP more closely. Previously, this would have been unachievable due to the high-risk nature of the activity (deep water).

 We were able to take part in different activities to learn skills in kayaking, canoeing and stand up paddle boarding. This was well received by everyone on the course, their smiling faces and enthusiasm after the course showed they had a great time! Our young people really enjoy being on/in the river, swimming and playing games on and around the water. Being in nature is proven to be good for our mental health at all ages, this is obvious to see as YP ask questions about the river environment, can be seen floating on their craft taking in their surroundings, and leaving their video games behind for a few hours each week.

Zooming in on 2 YP specifically, who have additional needs. They were nervous to get on the water at the start of the course, struggled to communicate their thoughts and feelings with others, and found it a challenge to manoeuvre their craft. Throughout the weeks, they built a friendship with each other and slowly learnt different paddle strokes and how to move the crafts, working together to do so. By the end of the 9 weeks, they were able to race in a double kayak around a course, communicating with each other to move the craft and paddling at speed to win the race. This was a huge achievement for them, and they both came away smiling and telling their parents/carers what they had done!

The benefit to those SEND YP was great in enabling them to safely take part in an adventurous activity, teaching them new skills, improving water safety and moving those YP out of their comfort zone.