Mae Murray Foundation Inclusive Beach Programme
The term Inclusive Beach was coined by Mae Murray Foundation (MMF) to describe a beach environment which has been carefully planned to ensure so that people of all ages and abilities (those with a physical, sensory or learning disability, including those with complex medical needs) can take part. Inclusive Beaches provide access, parking, and toilets, to full Changing Places standard whenever possible. Inclusive Beaches in Northern Ireland offer free beach equipment loan schemes, operated as a partnership between Mae Murray Foundation and respective beach operators.
The beach setting provides a therapeutic blue environment, that can improve mental wellness, reduce stress, and provide opportunities to get active, and yet much of the public are excluded from taking part due to the environment not being suited to their needs. Mae Murray Foundation already have beach wheelchairs and other adapted equipment available at their Inclusive Beaches but, through the GroundsWell Innovation Fund, were able to purchase additional equipment including a specialised sit-down paddle board, adapted so that members can take part alongside their non-disabled friends and family.
Evaluation of the Inclusive Beach Programme: Impact report
Through the Innovation Fund, GroundsWell partnered with Mae Murray Foundation to evaluate their Inclusive Beach Programme. The impact report provides a summary of the impact of the programme on physical health, mental health, and the social life of members and their families.
Read the Impact Report
A visual summary of the findings
Our findings were shared with artist Sian, from More than Minutes, who worked with us to help visually represent the Inclusive Beach experience.
View the visual summaryPhotographer Stephanie Wynne came along to one of Mae Murray Foundation's Inclusive Beach days:
Featured in webinar:
Accessibility and Inclusion in Green and Blue Spaces
In our webinar from 3rd December 2024, Jacqueline O'Hagan (EastSide Greenways) reported findings from a study of accessibility and inclusion on the Connswater Community Greenway and Kyleigh Lough (Mae Murray Foundation) discussed an evaluation of Mae Murray Foundation’s Inclusive Beach programme. We also had reflections from local councillor, Ruth Brooks.
Catch the recordingWhat is an Inclusive Beach?
British Sign Language version
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Irish Sign Language version
ADAPT my Beach
Having spearheaded the design and implementation of Inclusive Beaches in Northern Ireland, Mae Murray Foundation used their experiences of setting up and sustaining their Inclusive Beach model to create ADAPT my Beach, a guide on how to create, manage, sustain and improve an Inclusive Beach. ADAPT: Access, Dignity, Allability, Participation, Transformation
View ADAPT my Beach
