The Beach of Dreams at Ryde Carnival 2025

EqualsIW Green Time Summer Evening Walk at Firestone Copse

Twenty-one friends from the Equals IW group came together for a walk in Firestone Copse.

The evening began with a picnic where they met in the woodland picnic area and shared delicious food.

Mark then led the group on a gentle walk as the sun went down. The air was cool and fresh. The trees gave shade and the woods were full of oak, ash and hazel.

They also saw tall Douglas fir cedar and Scots pine. These trees stay green all year and many took lovely photos.

Mark stopped with the group by the river. It was one of the most beautiful places in the woodland and they enjoyed the view together.

By the end of the walk each person had taken about 4870 steps and used 206 calories.

We took photos

Green Time a fun, informal way using the great outdoors to enhance positive emotional wellbeing, self-confidence, self-esteem and mental health.

Heritage Coast - Flag Making Show and Tell

Discovering Landscapes

Heritage ‘Coast to Coast’ Project: Tennyson Heritage Coast at Compton Bay

Equals IW Friends and Family Group recently joined a short guided walk along Compton Bay beach, led by Mark and Dan.

After the walk they took part in Indonesian Cultural Line Dancing led by our Indonesian Community Friends Wayan and Niviera.

The group also enjoyed watching a Filipino Cultural Dance Performance, led by Cece and Aireen from our Filipino Community Friends.

A Cultural Picnic and Learning Display

The afternoon picnic included a delicious selection of food from different cultures.

There was also a "Show and Tell" display, created by Dan, with handwritten fact cards. These cards shared what the group had learned during two earlier exploring workshops.

Topics included:

•  Compton Bay and Downs
• Fossils at Compton Beach
• Local birds, butterflies, and other wildlife
• Geology and rocks
• Shipwrecks
• Surfing
• Erosion of the coastline

The display also featured 20 artworks made by Equals Friends and Family Group, together with our Climate Pledges. These focused on

• Using sustainable materials
• Walking or using eco-friendly transport
• Turning off appliances when not in use
• Washing clothes cold and air drying
• Shopping local
• Reducing plastic use and refilling products

Celebrating with Walkers and Silk Flags

The picnic ended with a warm welcome for walkers arriving from the Isle of Wight Walking Festival route from Newtown to Compton Bay.

This final part of the event was part of the Beaches of Dreams national arts project. It celebrates UK coastlines and their culture, history and future in the face of the climate crisis.

Frankie and Chris from the Discovering Landscapes Team led a beautiful silk flag parade along the beach. Twenty colourful silk flags flew in the sea breeze, creating a stunning scene.

Discovering Landscapes at Compton Bay was a wonderful way to boost wellbeing and mental health while enjoying the coastline and being creative.

We took photos

The Heritage Coast-to-Coast project (pdf 412kB) uses the great outdoors to enhance positive emotional wellbeing, self-confidence, self-esteem and mental health.

Heritage Coast - Silk Flag Making and Painting Workshop

Discovering Landscapes

Heritage ‘Coast to Coast’ Project: Tennyson Heritage Coast at Compton Bay

Equals IW Friends and Family Group joined Creative Connector Gina to create 10 beautiful silk-painted flags.

Each person learned how to do batik and paint on silk using bright, specialist dyes.

The flag designs were inspired by our recent visits to Compton Bay. We took ideas from the art we made there, and from the local views of sea, land, cliffs, rocks, and soil colours.

While exploring the beach and nearby nature, we found fossils and dinosaur footprints.

The small group split into two teams to create the flags. They shared stories, enjoyed friendship, and laughed from start to finish.

This creative workshop was a fun and relaxing way to support mental health and emotional wellbeing through art.

We took photos

The Heritage Coast-to-Coast project (pdf 412kB) uses the great outdoors to enhance positive emotional wellbeing, self-confidence, self-esteem and mental health.

Heritage Coast -Second Event Report

Discovering Landscapes

Heritage ‘Coast to Coast’ Project: Tennyson Heritage Coast at Compton Bay

Equals IW Friends and Family Group joined Kathy to explore and discover the cliff coastline. Kathy is a Nature Connector and helped the group learn about the different bird, butterfly and plant species found on the coastal path including

• Sea beet, an edible plant adapted to produce modern-day sugar beet
• Buckshorn plantain, another edible plant (buck's horn)
• Ribwort plantain, a food plant for the rare Glanville Fritillary butterfly
• Thrift,  called sea pink and attractive to bees and butterflies
• Lesser Celandine,  provides early-season nectar for pollinators like bees and hoverflies

Down on the beach at Compton Bay Kathy demonstrated how to make some charcoal on an open beach fire.

Everyone enjoyed cooking, on the open beach fire, Crab Damper bread on sticks with sea beet foraged on the day.

The group also joined Gina who is also a Creative Connector, and learnt how to use a selection of oils, pastels, crayons and coloured pencils to create sketches of the land and seascapes of Compton Bay.

The session was very interactive, creative and hands-on, enabling all to take part in a really fun and exciting learning experience.

They were able to switch off, get up close and connect with nature and each other.

The time spent together ‘Discovering Landscapes’ at Compton Bay was a perfect way to enhance emotional wellbeing and mental health while enjoying the fantastic coastline views.

We took photos

The Heritage Coast-to-Coast project (pdf 412kB) uses the great outdoors to enhance positive emotional wellbeing, self-confidence, self-esteem and mental health.

Heritage Coast First Event Report

Discovering Landscapes Heritage ‘Coast to Coast’ Tennyson Heritage Coast - Compton Bay

Equals IW Friends and Family Group recently joined Kathy to explore and discover life on the water’s edge at Compton Bay.

Kathy is a Nature Connector which is someone who helps people enjoy and understand nature. They guide activities that help people feel closer to the natural world, through fun, learning and creativity.

The group had the challenge of finding dinosaur footprints and fossils and created sand art using natural materials.

They enthusiastically explored the geology of Compton Bay with its different colours. They also took part in sensory activities to connect with nature.

During a late afternoon exceptionally low spring tide they investigated the natural resources of the beach including the rock pool creatures.

The group came together and gathered different coloured clays from the cliffs to make paint. Some added green colour from plantains growing on the cliffs. These natural materials were used to create beautiful artwork on fabric.

The session was interactive, creative and a fun way to learn.  It gave people the chance to relax, learn and enjoy nature together. The time at Compton Bay was a great way to feel better, connect with others and take in the stunning coastline views.

We took photos

The Heritage Coast-to-Coast project (pdf 412kB) uses the great outdoors to enhance positive emotional wellbeing, self-confidence, self-esteem and mental health.

Compton Beach Heritage Coast Trail April 2025

Join the Equals IW Friends and Family Group with Kathy to explore and discover the cliff coastline. Learn about the bird, butterfly and plant species found on the coast.

• Sunday 13th April 2025
• 4pm to 6pm
• Meeting Point: Compton Beach Car Park, Military Road, PO30 4HB
• What3Words: loitering.estimated.error
• Parking: Free

On Compton Beach we will explore the rock pools, sea life and seaweeds.

We will safely make charcoal on an open beach fire and use it in the creative session with Gina to make mixed media pictures.

We may also have time to create a collage using items such as shells found on the beach.

Using  oils, pastels, crayons and coloured pencils we will create sketches of the items, land and seascapes at Compton Bay.

Exploring Compton Bay during a spring low tide will be very interactive, creative and hands-on. You will experience a really fun and exciting learning opportunity while  switching off and connecting with nature and each other.

A perfect way to enhance your emotional wellbeing and mental health whilst enjoying the fantastic coastline views.

Please bring a beach towel to dry your feet after rock pooling.

Text or call Mark today and book your place on 0785 485 2518.

We have a flyer. (pdf 540kB)

The Heritage Coast-to-Coast project (pdf  412kB) uses the great outdoors to enhance positive emotional wellbeing, self-confidence, self-esteem and mental health.

Green Time Food and Mood

The Equals IW Friends and Family Group recently came together at the Snacks and Ladders Board Game Café and Eatery.

The evening co-ordinated by Niviera let the group meet, talk and catch up in a safe environment.

Everyone enjoyed the time together in friendship, boosting one another’s mental health and emotional wellbeing.

Refreshments were supported through the Green Time, Food and Mood programme.

This element of the programme focuses on the importance of how what we eat affects how we feel, our behaviour, attitude, and our physical health and emotional wellbeing, which ultimately defines who we are. 

Niviera shares “I hope our get together last night will have positive results and strengthen our family friendship bonding”.

We took photos

Green Time is a fun, informal way of participating in activities to enhance positive emotional wellbeing, self-confidence, self-esteem and mental health.

Equals IW Groups

As part of the aim to support equality and diversity on the Isle of Wight, Equals IW offers a Ladies group for women including women of ethnic backgrounds.

For a real cultural diversity experience come and join our Ladies Group. The group provides a welcoming place to women of both minority and majority ethnic background. Come and make new friends, get advice and find support. You can take part in fun activities and maybe participate in some training.

Equals IW also offers a  Friends and Family Group which is open to adults of all ages, children accompanied by parents or responsible adult, family members and friends. Some this groups activities will be open also to the general public..  

The groups have taken part in

• Carnivals and arts parade
• The Kite Festival
• Cultural and Diversity Events
• Art and Craft fun Activities
• Information Technology Training
• Food Hygiene Training
• Cooking Courses at the Isle of Wight College
• Culture Kitchen
• Back to Work Training
• Private Swimming Sessions

Please contact us to find out more.

Updated February 2023