Riding the Waves with Blue Spirit
In 2022, Projects4Change began a partnership with Blue Spirit.
Blue Spirit supports young people up to the age of 25 who are experiencing a mental health challenge or facing social / economic disadvantage. The charity was established in memory of Laury, who succumbed to his severe mental health problems aged 21. Laury was always happiest on the water, and in the last couple of years of his life, sailing was one of the only things that gave him peace of mind.
Blue Spirit enables young people to experience the benefits of sailing by matching young people to an experience appropriate for them and funding the majority of the costs.
Almost 30 young people from our project have been sailing over the past three years – some of them more than once. Between them, they have participated in three weekend residential sails with Ocean Youth Trust North, two five-day residentials with the Cirdan Trust and two activity days at the Derwent Reservoir Sailing Club. Two of our young women have even gained their Level 1 Start Sailing certificate over two days of dinghy sailing at Derwent.
Research has shown that being in blue spaces (like the sea) can enhance wellbeing and reduce stress.
And sailing itself has multiple benefits: it helps develop essential life skills such as communication, working in or leading a team. It can help increase self-confidence and resilience. A sailing voyage takes people away from their usual surroundings and out of their ‘comfort zone’ where they may be subject to negative influences, and puts them into an alien environment where they must learn to live and work together. The experience can give them the tools they need to progress and succeed, and potentially make changes in their lives once they disembark.
Sara is a perfect example of how an experience like sailing can help young people on their way to turn their lives around.
“Sara (not her real name) is nearly 15 years old, she has an older brother with additional needs and lives half her time between each parent’s homes. Sara has experienced hostility in friendship groups in the past, which makes her wary of people.
“One parent is sick and the other is the full-time carer of her brother. Educational achievement and career plans are not priorities and seem almost out of reach to many in her family. Sara is streetwise, having seen a lot in her young years – crime is high in her area and drug taking and selling is a normal part of growing up in the streets near her home.
“The experiences with Blue Spirit Sailing have opened up a whole new world for her. Having undertaken three sails to date, Sara gained her RYA Level 1 introduction to sailing in April. Sara has proven to be one of the most resilient young people, quick to pick up skills and supportive of others, with the positive effects lasting between sails in a newfound interest in pursuing a career in sailing.”
Address
The Cowgate Centre
Houghton Avenue
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE5 3UT
Contact
Call us on: 07946 314 037
Email us at: kelly@projects4change.org