…and it’s not over yet
The RSP has been fully operational since the end of July 2021. To date, this year we welcomed more than 645 people on board our vessels a figure that we couldn’t have imagined possible whilst we were living and working to very strict public health guidelines. We have many more voyages planned for the rest of the year, including the ASTO Small Ships Race and October half-term voyages which we are really looking forward to.
Our sail training programme has reached an enormous range of people in 2021. So far, we have run more than 80 voyages and our staff and volunteers welcomed young people from the ages of 14 from all backgrounds as well as adults with learning disabilities, mental health issues and in recovery from substance misuse. We also ran some team building events and private charters in addition to our own volunteer training voyages.
We have been both moved and motivated by the support we get from our donors and volunteers fro which we are very grateful. The feedback from crew and parents makes the hard work all worthwhile:
“Just wanted to say how much my sons enjoyed their voyages, it was the highlight of their holidays! They learned many new skills beyond just navigation: resilience and persistence, team work, sense of responsibility….. but above all they had fun in a social context, which in COVID times was really amazing!
The level of physical requirements combined with seasickness at the beginning, might have been a bit too much, however, they raised up to the challenge and really made the most of it with a « can do attitude » that I did not know they had in themselves. They learnt so much about themselves, this voyage has been a definite defining moment in his life so far. They will never forget it!
Their highlight of the trip was racing dolphins…. The Sunday roast had quite an impact too! But clearly, the whole experience was absolutely brilliant!”
We look forward to welcoming the last of our 2021 season’s crew and Afterguard between now and the end of October.
