Cullen Sea School – Mental Health Awareness Week
What does your social enterprise do?
Cullen Sea School aims to develop and maximize the recreational and educational
potential of three historic fishing harbours, with a focus on Cullen Harbour for 2024.
We do this through the advancement of public participation in sports and related activities; increasing public awareness of the environment surrounding the harbours including flora and fauna; encouraging and promoting access to our coastline from the sea and by coastal walks; increasing awareness of our culture and heritage through access to a wide range of activities and events; and education of young people through the provision of skill building activities and provision of talks and presentations.
How do you support Mental Health through Movement?
Cullen Sea School understands the benefits of activity on both our physical and mental wellbeing. There
is a wealth of research that supports this. YouGov research 20/21 showed that almost 3/4 of people surveyed believe that being near water can reduce stress levels while 2/3 believe it can reduce stress and depression. Being situated on the shoreline at Cullen and having a facility right on the harbour, Cullen Sea School can offer this wonderful environment in which to participate in a variety of activities. These activities have included paddle boarding, sea kayaking, sailing, coastal rowing, heritage crafts, boatbuilding, beach cleans, beach combing and coastal walks.
Not only do people participate in physical movement and exercise, they also learn new skills, meet new people with similar interests and similar concerns and learn to enjoy the pleasures of being outdoors and embracing the natural environment.
At Cullen Sea School we encourage all abilities to participate, to a level they are comfortable with, working with schools and youth employment schemes to engage young people in activities and events that do not involve screens and digital technology but, instead, build confidence, leadership and resilience through activity.
Through a grant from Moray Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund we are able to provide free access to people referred to us. This enables the opportunity to participate in an activity or interest that may have been cost prohibitive.
The mother of one young person said “Coming to the Sea School has been the making of
XXXX. He is much more confident and smiles much more.”
Our coastal rowing is very popular and provides exercise and friendship. One rower said
“Being out on the water with just the sound of the oars and the waves is so relaxing. It is
so important to my ongoing wellbeing.”
For more information about Cullen Sea School, please visit their website and make sure to follow them on Facebook, Instagram and X/Twitter to keep updated with their work.
Read all our #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek case studies on our website and find out how social enterprises in Scotland are supporting people with their mental health.