Reclaim Programme

Plymouth

Since launching our pilot programme in 2022, Reclaim The Sea has led transformative men’s and women’s programmes each summer, offering trauma-informed swimming, surfing, and paddleboarding sessions for refugees and asylum seekers to safely reclaim their relationship with water.

More than 350 individuals living in the coastal city of Plymouth are estimated to be waiting on asylum decisions. Reclaim the Sea works closely with Devon and Cornwall Refugee Support and local water sports schools, including ACE Swimming, South West SUP, Adventure Bay and Discovery Surf, to create a safe, supportive environment for people who have been displaced to connect with the ocean. 

Through trauma-informed six to eight-week sessions, we offer both men's and women's programmes that provide gentle introductions to the ocean. Participants learn to surf, paddleboard, and swim, guided by expert instructors and supportive volunteers who understand the delicate journey of healing and the power of the sea. Several previous participants from our Plymouth programmes have even returned as volunteers in the following season’s sessions. 

Under the leadership of Rebecca van der Veer, we continue to expand our vision for programmes in Plymouth, introducing social sessions for previous programme participants – a testament to the lasting connections and transformations this work can facilitate.

Our Partners

  • “I never ever swim in the sea but that’s why I think my feelings change. After finished class I’m sad because the class finished but me make happy and peaceful”

    Fetimeh
    Reclaim Programme Participant

 Past programmeS

  • Summer 2024

    Funded by Sports England and in partnership with Devon and Cornwall Refugee Support, Reclaim the Sea ran its third women’s and second men’s programme based in Plymouth. In addition to swim, paddle board, and surf lessons, the 2024 programmes expanded the social sessions and brought together current participants with past participants.

    Report Coming Soon

  • Summer 2023

    Funded by the National Lottery and in partnership with Devon and Cornwall Refugee Support, Reclaim the Sea ran its second women’s and first men’s programme based in Plymouth. It provided groups of displaced men and women living in Plymouth the opportunity to learn to swim, surf, and paddle board.

    Read the Report →

  • Summer 2022 - Pilot

    A collaborative project between Reclaim the Sea, Groundswell England and Devon and Cornwall Refugee Support, this eight-week pilot programme provided swim, paddle board, and surf lessons for a group of displaced women living in Plymouth.

Ready to dive in?

Whether as a participant, volunteer, or supporter, you can be part of our movement to reclaim the sea.