At the beginning of June 2024 three of our young people boarded the TS Queen Galadriel for a seven day sailing trip from Ipswich to Gosport with Cirdan Sailing Trust, living and working as part of the crew. The benefits gained from the experience can help to build confidence, resilience, motivation, tolerance and team spirit.

The trip had an interesting start, with all the adults (including the three established crew) suffering with sea sickness on the very first day whilst going through a spell of bad weather.

They docked at Yarmouth on the Isle of Wight where they enjoyed fish and chips and then travelled on to dock at Portsmouth.

The young people learnt how to put the sails up, scrub the decks, cook for the crew, climb the mast, and all about the engine below deck.

The younger ones gained a Start Yachting certificate, and the older ones a Competent Crew qualification.

Despite all the hard work they had to do, and feeling absolutely tired out, it was a struggle to get everybody off the boat when it was time to go!