In May, through media and communications support, we threw our weight behind a community youth development initiative called the Sideshore Project, based in Exmouth, Devon, UK, where our HQ is. Here’s the press release we sent out, which explains all…
More than 1,000 school children will become ‘beach custodians’ this summer through a free community project in Exmouth combining sea safety, art and environmental awareness.
Now in its third year, Sideshore, a community interest company, hosts day sessions for local schools involving three workshops. The aim is to inspire the next generation to not only to be safe on our beaches and in our seas, but to foster respect for the ocean too.
When the initiative – located at Sideshore watersports and retail complex on Exmouth beach – launched in 2023, 180 youngsters took part. This summer, over two weeks, 1,100 primary school children will be involved.
But in order for the Sideshore Project to remain free, and to enable more school children outside of Exmouth to take part, funding and sponsors are needed.
The workshops – sea safety, environmental education and environmental themed art – provide experiential learning and a holistic appreciation of our natural environment.
Nic Wilson, year six teacher at Withycombe Primary School, which took part this June, said:
“The children are learning about climate change this term, and coming to the beach to see and feel the impact humans have on the environment makes it more real to them.
“Experiential learning brings their classroom learning to life, helping them to understand that they are the custodians of our natural environment, and how important this is.
“Hopefully they’ll take this sentiment with them as they move on to secondary school and into their adult lives.”
The environmental workshops are led by the University of Exeter’s Marine Biology PhD students who inspire the children about the role we play in protecting our oceans; Sea Swim Devon runs the sea safety sessions, and immersive theatre company, Four of Swords, runs the environmental art workshops in conjunction with Charlie’s Beach School.
This year, the children’s creations will contribute to Four of Swords’ art installation of a giant hermit crab which will feature as part of a performance on the beach during the Exmouth Festival at 4pm on Sunday 13 July.
Sarah White, co-director of Four of Swords, explained:
“Our workshops are based on a BBC news article on the global phenomenon of hermit crabs using plastic waste, such as bottle tops and toothpaste caps, in place of shells, due to the decline in available shells through climate change and increase of plastic pollution.”
The workshops are using rubbish which has been collected by a community interest company in Kingsbridge, south Devon, called, Till the Coast is Clear, founded by Gary Jolliffe, whereby volunteers go out on their boats and salvage plastic waste and other rubbish from our waterways. The plastic haul is then brought back to Gary’s yard and is sorted and recycled.
Sarah added:
“These sessions are really hands on and we hope will inspire the children to help keep our beaches rubbish free, recycle and be creative.”
Jane Hushon, Director of Sea Swim Devon, added:
“The children learn so much more than being safe in the sea; they develop self-confidence, resilience, and they conquer fears.
“The ones who are the most nervous at the beginning are often the ones who don’t want to leave at the end and have the biggest smiles on their faces. You can’t put a price on that.”
