A group of 10 young people from Stonelaw benefited from our CashBack for Communities partnership recently, sailing Alba Venturer 98.1 miles around the Clyde Estuary. Their 5 day voyage took them to Holy Loch, Lochranza, and Tarbet as they learned the ropes aboard the 72ft sailing vessel.
As well as learning how to sail, the crew members gained many transferrable skills. One said: “I feel like this voyage has prepared me for real life. It’s really improved my confidence and my teamworking”. Another discovered that he has cooking skills beyond his usual staple of toast, and is excited to put them into action back home.
The young people on this voyage all commented that the friendly and inclusive atmosphere on board really helped them to feel confident in developing their skills. One said that in future she’d remember her time on the boat when approaching new things, and would try to treat them the same way she did on the boat – “positively and with full-on energy”.
All young people on the voyage achieved the Royal Yachting Association’s Start Yachting Level 1 Award and the SQA’s Level 3 Speaking and Listening qualification.
They also set themselves goals to work towards on their return to shore. These included:
- Getting a part time job
- Working harder in school and sticking to a routine
- Believing in themselves more
- Volunteering as a bosun with OYT Scotland
- Getting the grades to get into college and university
A massive thanks to all the group leaders, volunteers and OYT Scotland staff who helped to make these voyages a success.