Breaking down barriers to enjoying the seaside

Going to the beach is something lots of children do during the summer holidays but not all beaches are accessible for all children.

A charity in Northern Ireland is working to change that by improving access to beaches and providing specialist equipment which can be borrowed by people.

The Mae Murray Foundation recently set up Northern Ireland's sixth inclusive beach and says it is 'breaking down barriers' to beach access.

BBC News NI has been hearing from people who have benefitted from the changes.

A recent UK-wide survey found 13% of wheelchair users and people with limited mobility said they were able to reach the sea when visiting the beach.

Accessible beaches provide access, parking and disabled toilets, which many of which have hoisting and adult sized changing bench facilities.

There are also opportunities to borrow specialised all-terrain wheelchairs.

As well as campaigning for more inclusive beaches the Mae Murray Foundation also wants water sports to be more accessible.

Oscar, 14, is non-speaking and got on a paddleboard for the first time earlier this month.

His father Kelvin told BBC News NI it has meant the family can do more together.

"As a family it's good because we can take part as a unit so we do things altogether and it doesn't separate him from other activities," he said.

"My daughter also loves doing things with her brother."

Oscar was on a paddleboard with his father and had four guides to help with balance.

"He loves the water. He was laughing all the way, and he was very calm."

"He's capable of a lot of things," he said.

"Sometimes he doesn't take to them, sometimes he does.

"Mostly when it comes with something to do with water, he's always up for it."

Catherine McBarnet, who works at the foundation, says children often get too heavy to carry as they grow up, so their childhood is often the last time they are on the beach.

"It's about breaking down barriers... to enable them to have that access again, to be fully safe in the sea," she said.

The charity holds family fun days, paddleboard sessions and even surfing sessions throughout the summer.

"Seeing children with the waves splashing in their face, and just the shock and the joy, it's just so magical to see," McBarnet added.

Naomi told BBC News she had not been on the beach since she was a child.

She has cerebral palsy which meant it was difficult for her to the access the beach as she grew up.

She campaigned with the Mae Murray Foundation for beaches to become more accessible and now takes part in support swimming and paddleboarding.

The specialised sit-down paddleboards have a supported seat and some of the paddles have grips to help participants.

"I loved it because I felt like a fish in there and a wee mermaid."