Ocean Youth Trust supported sibling trip sets sail once again
A group of young people supported by Shooting Star recently embarked on an unforgettable voyage with Ocean Youth Trust, where they built up confidence, learnt new skills and formed lasting friendships along the way.
The trip provided an opportunity for siblings supported by Shooting Star to step outside their comfort zones and experience life at sea. From hoisting sails and learning nautical knots to taking part in night sails and working together as a crew, the young people embraced every challenge that came their way. The trip began with a night sail from Southampton to Portland, which was challenging to say the least, but every young person faced it head-on, despite a little seasickness along the way. In total, the group sailed 146 miles, stopping at Portland and Poole.
Reflecting on the experience, Louisa Atherton, Family Support Worker shared: “The Ocean Youth Trust trip was a real adventure, and I left feeling both exhilarated and exhausted. The children absolutely loved the experience and became a really close-knit group by the end. It was amazing to see them go from feeling shy at the start to being confident, inquisitive and engaged by the end. I loved the experience too and learnt so many new skills, including hoisting sails, winching and knot-tying. There were lots of fun moments with the crew and the children, whether that was playing card games, dancing on deck or simply chatting together. Most importantly, the trip gave the young people an opportunity to connect through their shared experiences as siblings of children with life-limiting conditions. There were some incredibly moving moments when they opened up to one another and shared their stories. A huge thank you to everyone who helped make this once-in-a-lifetime experience possible.”
Family Support Worker Anastasia Laking, who also attended the voyage, also reflected on the impact the trip had on the young people: “We want to say a huge thank you to our donors who helped make the Ocean Youth Trust voyage possible. It was a truly incredible experience and one that our young people thoroughly enjoyed. One of the highlights was seeing the night sky in all its glory, including the Milky Way. Other memorable moments included welcoming renowned sailor Pip Hare aboard Prolific and seeing part of the Wind Foiling World Championships taking place in Portland. We were also incredibly fortunate with the weather, which meant plenty of time out on the water learning different knots, gybing, winching and other sailing skills. It was a fantastic opportunity for the young people to step outside their comfort zones, make new friends and learn new skills.”
The voyage not only introduced the young people to the excitement of sailing but also gave them the chance to grow in confidence, support one another and create memories that will last a lifetime.
A special thank you to our generous supporter The Welfare Trust and Graham and his family for all their help making this trip become a reality. If you would like to see how you can help, please visit our website.
