We are delighted to have received generous support from Colchester Catalyst Charity and Zidara to help make this year's Mersea Island Festival Inclusive Camp, based at Essex Outdoor Mersea, an even more accessible and memorable experience for children, young people and families.

Thanks to a grant from Colchester Catalyst Charity, we were able to provide free boat trips for 180 participants during the summer camp.  For many participants, getting out on the water was a fantastic opportunity to try something new, enjoy the beautiful surroundings of Mersea Island and create special memories with friends and family.

We were also incredibly grateful for the support of Zidara, who helped contribute towards the costs of the summer programme and provided valuable support for families with disabled children.  This helped reduce financial barriers and enabled more families to take part and enjoy the full camp experience together.

Mersea Island Festival is all about creating opportunities where everyone can participate, have fun, build friendships and experience new adventures in an inclusive and supportive environment.

The support from Colchester Catalyst Charity and Zidara has helped us make this possible, and we are extremely grateful for their investment in our participants and families.

A huge thank you to Colchester Catalyst Charity and Zidara for helping us create an inclusive summer full of adventure, connection and lasting memories at Essex Outdoor Mersea.

We're thrilled to announce that we've received National Lottery funding to launch Blue Clean Access to the Blackwater Estuary, an inclusive environmental project based on Mersea Island.

The project will be delivered in partnership with Surfers Against Sewage, Essex Wildlife Trust, local schools, and community groups, the project will run over five months and bring people of all ages and abilities out onto the water using our fully accessible 11.4m catamaran - Rozmaur

Weekly accessible boat trips and shoreline sessions will combine hands-on litter clean-ups, wildlife recording, and simple water-quality testing, supporting ongoing conservation work already happening around the island.  Disabled residents, older adults, families, and young people will all be able to take part safely and comfortably.

The project will also train local volunteers to support future accessible boating sessions and will conclude with a community showcase at the local museum, celebrating shared achievements and positive environmental impact.

Together, we're building cleaner waters — and making sure everyone can be part of the journey

A Special Fundraising Music Night in Aid of Mersea's Own Unique Project

FREEDOM BOAT ADVENTURES

Join us for a night of great music and help bring the dream of accessible sailing to life!

Plus prizes to be won in the charity raffle!

Doors open 7pm // Bar available
Tickets are £20 - available from the MICA

Or call Heather Jarvis on 07595 934278 for more information.

MICA 38A HIGH ST, WEST MERSEA,
COLCHESTER CO5 8QA

Freedom Boat Adventures is excited to announce successful funding bids will support important projects in 2026 from Essex Community Foundation and Tudwick Foundation.

Freedom Boat Adventures is excited to announce that we have now gained sponsorship from Suzuki GB, who will provide the engines to power Freedom Boat Adventures to success. 

Not only does this enable us to launch sooner than we had anticipated, but it also gives the project credibility for a major company to want to get involved even before we launch for the first time.  Thank you to the Suzuki GB team!

We are proud to announce that we have been very fortunate that Positive Energy has made us one of their main charitable recipients in 2025 .

This enables us to finish the build and fit-out of our amazing and unique craft so it can start delivering incredible experiences and lifelong memories sooner than we had expected.