Project: Discover Sailing series
Grant: £2,000
Area of benefit: Portland
This funding enabled 10 young people from Compass School to get out on the water through the Discover Sailing programme at the Andrew Simpson Centre Portland.
Discover Sailing consists of a taster session, followed by five weekly sailing sessions.
These sessions give participants the opportunity to gain nationally recognised RYA Qualifications, learn about water safety, and grow in confidence and resilience.
The course includes:
- RNLI Water Safety messaging
- 6 half day sessions young people working towards RYA Qualifications
- young people increasing their confidence and resilience
- young people developing their teamwork and communications skills
- young people given the opportunity to continue sailing through our clubs at a subsidised rate
The Discover Sailing sessions enabled the young people to access an exciting new sport and become more active individuals. It also enabled them to grow in confidence, develop resilience and feel part of an inclusive and vibrant community.
All our equipment and sessions are accessible to people with disabilities. Our pontoons are all step-free and we use specialist boats to ensure that young people living with a disability are still able to get out on the water. All our instructors receive SEN training to ensure they are able to support young people with disabilities.
You can find out more about Andrew Simpson Sailing Academy by visiting their Facebook page.
Quotes:
Here are some comments from the students who took part in Discover Sailing:
"I did the Discover Sailing course for enrichment, and it was really fun". "It helped me make new friends and develop my teamwork skills". Participant.
"I made lots of new friends with people at my school, did lots of activities and have a lot more self-confidence now". Participant.
“We are working on applying for funding for her to continue her newfound love for sailing: “Child A struggles with school, both academically and socially and is currently going through the diagnosis process between the school and paediatric services for ADHD/ ASD. For the last few weeks, whilst attending sailing sessions, her self-esteem has improved massively, and she really enjoys the sport. She is regularly bullied and feels that she is not good at anything, but sailing has been something that she has become very proud of and something that she is motivated to continue with. As she is bullied at school, a sailing club outside of school where she can meet new people and develop new relationships would be a huge benefit to her social and emotional wellbeing and, as her self-esteem improves this would be a massive benefit to her schooling”. Parent.