Plymouth kayaking club joins national sport welfare campaign
A paddlesport club in Plymouth that uses the healing power of the water to support people’s mental health and wellbeing is being celebrated as part of a national campaign highlighting the free welfare and safeguarding support available to sports clubs across England.
The Active Partnerships Network has launched Sport Welfare in Action; together for safer sport, a national campaign recognising the important role played by Sport Welfare Officers (SWOs) in ensuring that every sports club in England have greater access to free, expert welfare and safeguarding support.
Moondogz Kayaking, based in Plymouth, is one of the clubs across the country chosen to feature in the campaign.
The club brings together young adults, families, and ocean lovers through kayaking, paddleboarding, open water swimming, and time by the sea, drawing on the principles of ‘blue health’ - the idea that being near, in, or on water has a profound positive effect on mental wellbeing. Moondogz welcomes people of all experience levels and backgrounds, with a particular focus on breaking down social barriers and creating a space where people can build calm, confidence, and connection.
Cara Baer, Sport Welfare Officer for Active Devon, has been working with the club for around eight months, a relationship that began when Venner Turner, Director and Paddlesport Leader at Moondogz, took Cara out on the water to show her first-hand the impact of blue health in sport.
Since then, Cara has helped connect the club to events and resources they would not otherwise have known about, including the Paddle UK Connection event in Exeter last November, and supported Moondogz in affiliating with their National Governing Body, Paddle UK. The club has also been featured on the Active Devon website and club officers now regularly attend welfare workshops, with a session on trauma-informed practice coming up in June.
A highlight of the relationship so far has been a Time to Listen presentation delivered by Cara and a colleague, which was praised by Moondogz volunteers and participants alike for opening up conversations around mental health and welfare in sport.
Reflecting on the support, Venner Turner, Director, Moondogz Kayaking, said: “For myself, and I know others in Moondogz, we were so proud during the Time to Listen presentation, and having access to more workshops coming up has only added to that.
“Through the Sport Welfare Officer’s support, we have an opportunity to show sports clubs they don’t have to be stuck in the past.
“Mixing mental health support and sport to enhance and enable people who face social barriers into sport - that is what we are working towards, and this is just the beginning.”
Cara Baer, Sport Welfare Officer, Active Devon, said: “It’s been brilliant working with Moondogz Kayaking over the last eight months.
“As a group that embraces the power of the water for mental health, they’re supportive and encouraging for all participants.
“Moondogz have really welcomed the sport welfare advice, from one-to-one discussions (on the water) about safeguarding and welfare practices, to supporting them to affiliate with their NGB, and having them attend our workshops, they’re a club committed good safeguarding and welfare. I look forward to the ongoing work we will do together.”
Moondogz Kayaking is one of more than 5,000 sports clubs across England to have received focused support from the Sport Welfare Officer Network since October 2024.
Launched in 2023, the network now has more than 60 Sport Welfare Officers embedded across 42 Active Partnerships, each providing free, local guidance on safeguarding, welfare, and inclusion to clubs of all sizes and sports, working hand in hand with National Governing Bodies with the aim of ensuring support reaches all clubs.
The Sport Welfare in Action campaign, will spotlight clubs, NGBs, and Sport Welfare Officers from across the country, bringing to life the collaborative approach that is helping to create safer, more welcoming and more inclusive environments for children, young people, and adults taking part in sport at every level.
The campaign is being supported by Sport England, the Ann Craft Trust, and the NSPCC, and clubs and NGBs across England are being encouraged to share resources and help spread the word.
Andy Taylor, Chief Executive of the Active Partnerships National Organisation, said: "The Sport Welfare Officer network is already achieving hugely positive outcomes with more than 5,000 sports clubs and thousands more participants benefiting from tailored support.
“This shows that the network is already helping to strengthen the support available to clubs, by working collaboratively with volunteers, National Governing Bodies and local partners helping create safer, more welcoming environments and experiences for everyone involved in sport and physical activity.
“The Sport Welfare in Action campaign is about recognising the important work already happening across the sector and ensuring every club in England knows where they can access this vital free support, advice and guidance through their local Sport Welfare Officer.”
Sports clubs in Devon can find their local Sport Welfare Officer and access free support by visiting activepartnerships.org or contacting Active Devon directly.
