Join us and the Mae Murray Foundation for an inclusive beach day with accessible activities, all-terrain wheelchairs, and the chance to experience the sea in a floating wheelchair.
What to expect
Enjoy a variety of fun, accessible activities, including supported swimming, beach wheelchairs, floating wheelchairs, play tables, and drums – all set up to ensure everyone can take part.
Tickets for this special event are exclusively reserved until Friday 30 May for families affected by muscle-wasting and muscle-weakening conditions. It’s a wonderful opportunity to meet and connect with other families across Northern Ireland who truly understand the challenges of living with these conditions.
After Friday 30 May, any remaining tickets will be made available to individuals with other disabilities.
Activities
- Interactive sensory play tables
- Join Fun With Drums and make some noise
- Enjoy supported sea dips with the team or in a floating wheelchair
- Explore the shore in a beach wheelchair
- Toast your own s’mores
Ticket types
There are three types of ticket to choose from. They are all free of charge:
Floating Wheelchair Session
Book this if one of your group would like to enjoy a short session (10–15 minutes) in the sea using a floating wheelchair. Trained staff will be there to help make it safe and fun!
Individual Ticket
Select one for each person coming along (except wheelchair users – see below). These help us know how many people to expect.
Wheelchair User Ticket
Choose this for anyone in your group who uses a wheelchair. Beach matting will be laid out so regular wheelchairs can move more easily, and all-terrain wheelchairs will be available on a rota to explore the rest of the beach.
Together we are stronger
We’re proud to host this event in partnership with the Mae Murray Foundation, which creates inclusive environments across Northern Ireland. Alongside their Inclusive Beaches initiative, they run a wide range of events – from music and arts to social hubs and outdoor adventures – helping people of all ages take part fully in community life. This event is being held at Portstewart Strand, a stunning National Trust site cared for and protected for everyone to enjoy.
Mae Murray Foundation
National Trust
Frequently Asked Questions
An inclusive beach is a planned beach environment where people of all ages and abilities can take part, have fun, and be included.
Yes, please follow the direction of the rangers who will tell you where to park when you arrive. Parking is free for those attending the event.
There are unisex toilets, a standard disabled toilet, and a Changing Places Toilet onsite which can be accessed with a radar key. If you do not have one, please ask the National Trust.
The Changing Place Toilet includes a toilet, shower, height adjustable changing bench and hoist. You must bring your own sling if required.
Both toilets are located behind the cafe.
Beach matting will be laid on the beach to allow Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles to lower their ramps. Powerchairs will be free to roam on the matted area and can also freely access the café area and toilets.
There will be staff from the Mae Murray Foundation available to help you access the equipment. There is a portable beach hoist available – please bring your own sling.
Activities are included, however feel free to bring along any beach equipment you might usually take on a day out. If you intend to go into the water please bring anything you might need for this, including towels and swimwear.
There will be trained first aiders available on site from Mae Murray Foundation and the RNLI.
If there is a weather warning in place and the event is cancelled, you will be informed with as much notice as possible. If you choose to cancel, please let us know as soon as possible.
There are rangers on site from the National Trust and lifeguards from the RNLI. A comprehensive Risk Assessment has been carried out by the Mae Murray Foundation. All equipment is serviced and maintained to a high standard.
We understand this might be a new experience for you. You’re welcome to stay in your car and simply observe. It’s okay if you change your mind.
Please contact the Mae Murray Foundation directly. The Mae Murray Foundation oversee safety planning, provide trained staff and equipment, and are best placed to support individual needs.