LOOK UP INTERVIEW: Ramon Van de Velde, The Wave Project

​From our series of interviews with charities and not-for-profits: a conversation with Ramon Van de Velde, CEO of The Wave Project.

​The Wave Project is a national charity that helps improves the mental health and wellbeing of children and young people through Surf Therapy and the healing powers of the ocean. They have 15 project locations, and work from 25 beaches, across the UK.

Ramon is no stranger to places that have storytelling at their heart. He was Head of Visitor Services at the Eden Project before he became General Manager of the beautiful St Michael’s Mount, both in Cornwall. And Sir Tim Smit asked him to lead both his Shipwreck Treasure Museum and the Lost Gardens of Heligan. Heligan had become “lost” after most of the gardeners were sent to mainland Europe to fight in the trenches during the First World War, with only few returning after the war. The Victorian Garden and Cornish Jungle were “found” and restored during the 1990’s, and even just the name “The Lost Gardens” invokes the imagination.

He moved away from running visitor attractions to lead the charity The Wave Project following years of supporting his adolescent daughter through significant mental health challenges. The charity supports over 2,600 children and young people each year, and each of them have a story to tell. Working with a talented team of 35 Surf Therapy, fundraising and marketing professionals, and nearly 1,400 volunteers, he adds his experience from events, gardens and a castle on top of a tidal island to help to increase the charity’s impact.

One not to miss! Book your place here.