VULNERABLE young people in Dorset are surfing to success thanks to an innovative course.

Award-winning intervention scheme The Wave Project is celebrating a year since they set up their Dorset branch, which was established last autumn with funding from the Dorset HealthCare NHS trust.

The programme uses surfing to help youngsters reduce anxiety and improve their emotional health.

Volunteer surfers teach the children to surf and help boost their confidence, and after the course the children can join the surf club and continue to build on the skills and experiences they have gained.

The scheme accepts children from all over Dorset on the six-week course at Sorted Surf School in Bournemouth.

Many of the young people who take part are referred to the scheme by education, health and social care professionals and are in foster care or experiencing mental health issues, low self-esteem or depression.

Other organisations have also pulled out all the stops to ensure the first year of the project has been a success.

Blandford-based charity Dorset Community Transport has generously provided free transport for the students, who can travel up to 30 miles to attend the activities and often do not have access to, or cannot afford, transport.

Anna Whitty, Dorset Community Transport CEO, said: “This is a wonderful example where community transport supports the activities of other community organisations, making an impact and changing the lives of these young people. We are very proud to be associated with The Wave Project.”

Joe Taylor, Wave Project chief executive, said: “Dorset Community Transport plays a vital part in the delivery of our surf courses for vulnerable children in Dorset.

“Many of our clients don’t have access to transport and so without the support of DCT, they simply wouldn’t be able to access the courses.