Tackling waste and transforming young lives with pre-loved wetsuits
The Wave Project is a pioneering charity using surf therapy to support children and young people facing mental health challenges. With funding from the Good Growth Programme, the organisation has expanded its impact through a newly refurbished shop in Newquay, and the launch of a pre-loved wetsuit scheme that supports both sustainability and social wellbeing.
The Challenge
Mental health issues among young people are rising, with 1 in 5 children in the UK now experiencing challenges. The Wave Project needed a permanent base to deliver its surf therapy programmes and a sustainable way to fund its work. At the same time, the charity saw an opportunity to tackle the environmental issue of waste neoprene. which is an extremely durable material that can take up to 1,000 years to degrade.
The Solution
With £116,000 in Good Growth funding, the Wave Project was able to:
- Refurbish its Newquay shop, creating a welcoming and functional space for staff, volunteers, and beneficiaries.
- Launch a pre-loved wetsuit scheme, collecting donated wetsuits from the public and recycling sites across Cornwall to divert thousands of wetsuits from entering the waste stream.
- Partner with SUEZ, a leading waste management company, to establish donation points at recycling centres across the county.
The refurbished shop now resells donated wetsuits, with all proceeds reinvested into surf therapy programmes. The shop has also become a positive presence on the local high street, attracting footfall, engaging the community, and contributing to the vibrancy of Newquay’s town centre.
The Impact
The Wave Project’s surf therapy programmes supported over 2,500 young people last year, including 200 in Cornwall alone. Participants reported significant improvements in:
- Self-esteem and resilience
- Trust and social connection
- Mental wellbeing and emotional regulation
The pre-loved wetsuit scheme has also made a measurable environmental impact:
- Over 1,600 wetsuits sold last year, and 1,200 already sold January-July 2025.
- Thousands of wetsuits diverted from being discarded, reducing long-term waste.
- Increased awareness of sustainable practices among the surf and wider community.
- A busy, community-focused shop that supports local engagement and economic activity.
“Donating a wetsuit means more than just helping us as an organisation. It’s helping solve a problem with waste neoprene.”
— Ed Connors, Operations Manager
Looking Ahead
The Wave Project plans to expand its surf therapy programmes, train more volunteers, and deepen its partnerships with schools, health services, and environmental organisations. The support from the Good Growth Programme has empowered the charity to build a sustainable model that nurtures young people’s mental health while protecting the planet.
This project is made possible thanks to a £116,640 investment from the Good Growth Programme funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.