Voyage of Recovery
The winner of this year’s Innovation Factor (our staff competition for innovative ideas) was the Voyage of Recovery. The winning presentation came from Stuart Plant from Hampshire Residential Service and graduate Darren Long.
The Voyage of Recovery
The voyage will involve sailing Tectona 1,500 miles around the coastal waters of Britain. Starting from Portsmouth, sailing around Cornwall up past Lands End and towards the coast of Wales past Liverpool then on up to the west coast of Scotland, through the Caledonian Canal and coming back down along the east coast of England finally arriving back at Portsmouth some 10 to 12 weeks later. There will be 12 staying on board for 5 day legs, each team would be made up of 10 service users and 2 staff from as many of our services as possible, incorporating our residential and community projects.
The voyage will start on 1 August 2012 and take between 10 to 12 weeks in total. It’s split in to 5 day legs so it will give at least 120 service users the amazing opportunity to be part of a working voyage around the coastal waters of Britain.
This will not only be a massive personal development opportunity for those involved, we’ll also be studying the impact of this and similar activities to aid recovery. We’ll be able to use these learnings to improve the effectiveness of our services and others, so that the voyage helps individuals, familes and communities around the country.
What’s Involved?
Sailing the Tectona is hard, physical work involving team-work and a commitment to learning new skills. The service users would be involved in every aspect of running the ship, day and night, from planning and navigation to hoisting, trimming and reefing the sails, from keeping lookout and steering to hauling up the anchor. They will take part in preparing and clearing up meals and keeping the ship clean. The professional crew ensure safety, teach techniques and encourage service users to reflect on their experiences on a daily basis.
How can you get involved
We really need your help to make this happen.
The total cost of this exciting project is £70,000. This cost includes food, maintenance and the professional crew’s salaries for the three month period of the voyage.
How can you be part of this very special project?
- There are lots of ways you can get involved, here are just a few ideas:
- You can purchase a place on the first leg of the journey from Plymouth to Portsmouth and experience sailing the 80ft Tectona for yourself – application process and price coming soon!
- You could sponsor a service user to take part – £438
- Donate directly to this project on our justgiving page – all donations no matter how much are very much appreciated
- Donate equipment, food, waterproof clothing
- Arrange a fundraising event in your community to support this special project
- Be the official headline sponsor of the The Voyage for Recovery and add your name to this innovative project
- To find out more about this innovative project call 0207 234 9787
- To find out more about Tectona, visit their webpage www.tectona.org.uk
- Find out more about coverage of the Voyage of Recovery on the BBC