The programme includes everything from beach yoga, guided foraging walks and sand art workshops, to beach cleans and nature-led play sessionsLandscape view of Mourne Mountains in the golden hour from Murlough beach in County Down Newcastle(Image: Getty)

Beaches across Northern Ireland are set to host 60 free events throughout August to celebrate blue spaces and the mental and physical well-being they offer.

Live Here Love Here’s ‘Healthy Oceans Healthy Minds’ campaign is back for its fifth year and includes a mixture of events for community groups and charities, and those open to the public.

Building on the success of previous years, the campaign – sponsored by Belfast Harbour – focuses on inspiring people to connect with water through inclusive, community-based activities.

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The programme includes everything from beach yoga, guided foraging walks and sand art workshops, to beach cleans and nature-led play sessions for young children.

Taking place across locations such as Murlough Beach, Ballyholme Beach, Crawfordsburn Country Park, and Ballygally Beach, it showcases Northern Ireland’s unique coastal and inland waterways while raising awareness of the growing threat of pollution, particularly marine litter.

As part of this year’s campaign, Live Here Love Here has partnered with the Mae Murray Foundation, a lived-experience, membership-led organisation dedicated to ensuring that people of all ages and abilities can fully participate in leisure and social activities.

The Foundation will host two Inclusive Beach Fun Days – August 7 at Groomsport Inclusive Beach, where visitors can meet alpacas and join beach art workshops with Carla Hodgkins Art, and August 17 at Cranfield Inclusive Beach, where attendees can try their hand at archery and take part in a sandcastle building competition.

Kyleigh Lough, Chief Executive at Mae Murray Foundation said: “We are particularly focused on making sure that people with more complex needs, whose requirements are often overlooked, can participate fully in all areas of society.

“Healthy Oceans Healthy Minds is a vital campaign that helps us celebrate the mental and physical benefits of time spent near water – together and equally.”

Other highlights of this year’s line-up include:

  • Foraging Walk with Feasting on Weeds at Crawfordsburn on 1 August
  • Beach Clean with CIWEM NI Early Careers, also at Crawfordsburn, on 2 August
  • Beach Babbies at Ballygally Beach on 6 August, a nature-led play session for 0–4 year olds and their caregivers
  • Evening of Beach Yoga with Beyond Mindfulness at Murlough Beach on 7 August

Live Here Love Here are inviting individuals, businesses, schools, charities and communities across Northern Ireland to participate.

Lynda Surgenor, Live Here Love Here Manager, said: “Healthy Oceans Healthy Minds has become a cornerstone of our work. This campaign not only raises awareness about marine pollution but also provides opportunities for people to reconnect with nature and each other.

“We’re especially proud of the inclusive events this year, which ensure that everyone – regardless of ability, age, or background – can enjoy and protect our blue spaces. As we face growing environmental challenges, every individual has a vital role to play in creating a cleaner, healthier future.”

Live Here Love Here is a partnership campaign funded by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, ten local councils and the Housing Executive. The campaign is managed by Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful.

To support the work of Live Here Love Here and other environmental programmes see www.keepnorthernirelandbeautiful.org

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