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Beach clean talacre

Community Action

2 minute read

Learn more about the activities we delivered to connect local people to the ocean.

The Ocean Connection Programme

We delivered a range of exciting activities between July 2024 and February 2025. Read on to learn more about how we engaged with the communities of Prestatyn, Rhyl, Kinmel Bay and Towyn!

What is the Ocean Connection Programme?

The Ocean Connection Programme was full of nature-based, indoor and virtual activities and opportunities, from beach cleans and wildlife surveys to arts and crafts and documentary screenings.

Our free, local activities supported people to better understand our influence on the ocean, and the ocean’s influence on us. Local people had the chance to learn new things, develop skills, take action to make a difference locally, and engaged in activities to support health and wellbeing.

The Programme was designed with the One Ocean Forum, a group of local people from Prestatyn, Rhyl, Kinmel Bay and Towyn who lead the HYYM project by advising the core project team. Read more about the One Ocean Forum.

HYYM Little Tern Colony Site visit

Credit: Denbighshire County Council Staff, 2024

How did the Ocean Connection Programme work?

The Programme activities were split into three key themes: learning, taking action and wellness. These themes were the main focus of each activity:

  • Learning activities focused on supporting people to gain new knowledge or skills.
  • Taking action activities focused on supporting people to take positive action for the environment and the ocean.
  • Wellness activities focused on supporting people health and wellbeing.

Read on for more information on the activities we delivered!

Katie and Jess the dog HYYM forum members at the Halloween Beach clean

Credit: Ciara Taylor, 2024

The activities

The HYYM Ocean Connection Programme offered free and accessible activities for people living in Prestatyn, Rhyl, Kinmel Bay and Towyn.

Public events were held that were open to any members of the local community, and private sessions were also offered to school and community groups.

Community members who completed one activity from each theme (learning, wellness, and taking action) received stamps on a loyalty card and could then ‘unlock’ a special activity exclusive to people who have completed activities in all three themes.

In total we delivered 96 actitvities in the Ocean Connection Programme, with 1,288 people taking part.

Ocean Connection Programme loyalty card

Credit: HYYM Project Team

Learning

Examples of our learning activities included:

  • Outdoor educational sessions
  • Surveying and ID skills
  • Online talks with expert speakers
HYYM Film Still Ciara and Charlottle with shells

Credit: Yoke Creative

Wellness

Our wellness activities included:

  • Play sessions for families
  • Ocean-themed yoga
  • Creative sessions
Sand Sculpting

Credit: Daniel Price

Taking action

Our taking action activities included:

  • Beach cleans
  • Sand dune restoration
  • Understanding local policy
Young beach cleaner with litter picker

Credit: Daniel Price

Special activities

Our special activities included:

  • Watersports
  • Boat trips
  • Aquarium visits
Watching for wildlife on a boat trip

Credit: Daniel Price

Volunteering

Delivering the Ocean Connection Programme would not have been possible without the support of our local volunteers. Volunteers contributed to HYYM by supporting outreach activities at events, planting marram grass, creating digital coverage of the project through photography blogs and vlogs, and so much more.

Thank you to all the volunteers for your contributions to Hiraeth Yn Y Môr!

HYYM Volunteer Award Winners

Credit: Mark McNulty

This project was supported by the Nature Networks Programme which is being delivered by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, on behalf of the Welsh Government.

Lottery and Welsh Government partner logo