Portskerra Activ Club (PAC) was set up during the winter of 2020 to encourage group community activities to help their everyone’s physical and mental health. Its driving force is the desire to improve community health, foster better support networks and encourage communication within and throughout their scattered, rural community.
The Beach Day, open to all, set out to show what’s on offer within easy reach of everyone. It was a chance to highlight this beautiful coastal location, the incredible benefits of water-based activity, group connection and (for some) an introduction to cold-water therapy. Most importantly, it provided a wonderful chance to foster deeper community relationships and social links.
“We had two aims – to encourage older participants to join us for a gentle sociable village walk with refreshments outdoors, and also to encourage younger members of the community, and their wider families, to try new, fun activities in the wide-open spaces at our local beach.” Jo Wyke, Portskerra Activ Club.
Surf lessons offered by a local water-sports company were hugely oversubscribed. The Club hope to offer more in the near future. High Life Highland active schools staff provided a whole host of activities on the beach building on the relationship they already have with many of the children from their work in the schools.
“It was fun, and games were good. It’s the first time I’ve been to a Melvich Beach. I saw my friends. I got to run about. I wanted to try the surfing but no spaces. I’d like to go again. It was good. I’d like more regular activities that are fun, and I can go to more often. I’d love to do more things. I really liked it.”
“The event had a strong sense of community which has been severely lacking in the area. Great to get together with neighbours and new people.”
“We just can’t get over how well received it was and how widely supported in our community. There is evidently an appetite for similar events, for regular group activity and for all ages. Obviously, there is always a need for entertainment/active groups for the younger age groups, but we now realise how vital this is for adult community members and in unexpected corners too. Events like this give us an opportunity to meet these unknown participants and make sure that they feel they can join in more in future.”
This event was made possible through the High Life Highland LEADER funded project on behalf of Think Health Think Nature