A SURF therapy charity’s shop in Newquay town centre is relaunching with a fresh new look and expanded wetsuit donation scheme following a major refurbishment.

The Wave Project in Fore Street has undergone various structural changes, which has created a more functional and welcoming space to raise funds.

The refurbished space now offers a brighter, more accessible layout, making it easier than ever for customers to browse high-quality surfing gear.

The space has also been transformed to accommodate its pre-loved wetsuit scheme thanks to support from the Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly Good Growth Programme and SUEZ.

Wetsuits can be donated directly to the shop or at dedicated wetsuit recycling bins at local household waste centres.

The items are then sorted, inspected and prepared for reuse.

The scheme aims to tackle neoprene waste in Cornwall while funding vital surf therapy programmes for young people.

The reopening of The Wave Project’s Newquay shop will be held on Monday, April 7 at 10am.

A Wave Project spokesperson said: “All profits from the shop directly fund the charity’s life-changing surf therapy programmes, which help children and young people build confidence, resilience and improved mental wellbeing through the power of the ocean and other blue spaces.

“The need for mental health support in Cornwall is greater than ever.

“In the 12 months to March 2024, almost 9,000 children and young people accessed NHS-funded child and adolescent mental health services.

“The number of mental health referrals at Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust has soared in the last five years, rising from 4,500 referrals in 2019 to almost 12,000 in 2024.

“The Wave Project’s surf therapy programmes provide a vital alternative approach, offering a safe, supportive environment where young people can build friendships, develop self-belief and experience the therapeutic benefits of the ocean.

“Nearly 50 per cent of the UK’s 380 tonnes of non-recyclable neoprene waste is produced in Cornwall.

“To combat this, we have partnered with Cornwall Council and SUEZ to introduce our pre-loved wetsuit scheme to the county.

“Thanks to the generosity of those who have donated their unused neoprene, we have already given new life to hundreds of wetsuits, and are expanding into pre-loved surfboards, helping even more surf-gear find a second wave.”

Ramon Van de Velde, the chief executive officer at The Wave Project, added: "We are incredibly excited to reopen our Newquay shop with a fresh new look and an even bigger commitment to sustainability.

“By expanding our pre-loved wetsuit scheme, we ensure that every purchase made funds vital surf therapy programmes for young people across the UK.

“The demand for mental health support has never been higher, and we are proud to be part of the solution, helping young people thrive and find a sense of belonging."

Mark Hillson, PFI general manager, for Cornwall at SUEZ, said: “We’re delighted to be supporting such a sustainable initiative that is also doing such fantastic work in local communities through the surf therapy programmes.

“The new shop designs are quite inspiring and we’re looking forward to seeing the success of this helping to support more young people.”