In July 2023 we were awarded POP funding to make the Setting Sail Together collective a reality.  Thank you so much to the POP membership for supporting us to get to this point! We are really excited and can't wait to let you know more about our plans soon...

Here is a bit of background information about our project, and members:

 Horizons (Plymouth) Children’s Sailing Charity will partner with Devon and Cornwall Refugee Support centre (DCRS) and Open Doors International Language School (ODILS) to provide a programme of Royal Yachting Association accredited training for 6 refugee community members to progress from complete novices to competent sailors. Once participants complete their training, they will be invited to join the Horizons adult volunteer team to support the Horizon’s charitable youth sailing programme. Beyond the initial training opportunity, this project will aim to build the participants confidence around water, enhance wellbeing, reduce isolation, and improve employability. 

 Plymouth prides itself on being the UK’s “Ocean City”, however our beautiful coastline and marine environment can also be a site of exclusion. It is well documented that across the world BAME communities are less likely to be able to swim and will avoid marine environments. For certain communities, especially refugee communities, water is a site of exclusion and fear. Through this project we hope that our local marine and waterfront areas can provide opportunities for inclusion and community cohesion, rather than exclusion.
  

The project participants will have the opportunity to experience sailing, gaining new skills, and qualifications, whilst improving their English language skills, and being invited into our Horizons community. The training will emphasize team work and peer leadership to encourage a sense of confidence and collaboration. We believe this project will empower the participants, boosting their wellbeing, and delivering long term improved employment prospects, and community cohesion.