Laureus stars Victoria Pendleton and Michael Jamieson visit the Wave Project
Laureus Ambassadors and British Olympic stars Victoria Pendleton and Michael Jamieson have underlined the powerful role sport can play in supporting young people with their own mental health and wellbeing, following a visit to the Laureus-supported Wave Project surf programme in Newquay.
Victoria and Michael, who both reached the pinnacle of their careers at the London 2012 Olympic Games, are both advocates for the role sport can play in improving mental health among children and young people. Both Victoria and Michael have also been outspoken about their own mental health challenges and have worked with Laureus to help raise awareness for the challenges young people face, promoting the role sport can play in enhancing mental wellbeing.
The Wave Project is a surf therapy programme that uses the sport to improve the lives of young people suffering from mental health issues. Supporting young people with mental health disorders ranging from mild to severe, the programme aims to build confidence and reduce anxiety through the power of surfing. The programme is the world’s first surf therapy course funded by a government health service as the NHS funded a pilot scheme back in 2010. Today, young people with mental health issues are directly referred to the programme from GPs and other external agencies.
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