Crabs, Seals, and Shared Joy: A Week of Connection Afloat

It has been another exceptional week for the team at Mind Body and Sea, with a series of trips that brought people of all ages and backgrounds together through meaningful time on the water. We began by welcoming a local Bangladeshi community group for a calm river cruise to the Orwell Bridge. This experience was designed to offer respite and connection for people who regularly give so much of themselves to support others. It was a rare and valuable opportunity for reflection, conversation, and community building in a peaceful setting. Later in the week, we took a group seal watching in the Walton Backwaters. This three-hour experience allowed our guests to immerse themselves fully in the natural environment of Bramble Creek. We watched seal pups playing, growing, and beginning to venture away from their mothers. As we travelled through the winding river system, our guests visibly relaxed and reconnected with themselves and with each other. The trip was carefully tailored to support those referred to us from local communities, offering a peaceful, restorative experience on the water.

Over the weekend, we hosted a group of six young people from Level Two Youth Project. The conditions were challenging, with wind, rain, and strong tides, but our crew adapted and delivered a day full of adventure. We set off along the choppy Felixstowe seafront for a thrilling ride, then found calmer water near Pin Mill for some lively crabbing. Despite the rain, the group remained completely absorbed in the experience, laughing and racing to haul in their catches. A slow cruise up to the Orwell Bridge offered a welcome pause before the final activity of the day: fishing. Rods were soon bouncing with small bass, and some young people even managed to reel in two at once. They returned ashore soaked but smiling, with stories to share and memories made.

Behind each of these experiences is a dedicated team at Mind Body and Sea, who handle everything from safeguarding and volunteer training to tailored planning and impact measurement. Our new feedback form is already proving invaluable in capturing participant reflections and demonstrating the lasting value of our work to funders and partners. A huge thank you to our volunteers and collaborators for making these trips possible.

We look forward to another week of connection, learning, and joy afloat.

For referrals, partnerships, or general enquiries:

📥 info@mindbodyandsea.co.uk