"All the group learned a lot about sailing, and equally importantly about getting on with other people, working in teams and taking responsibility for their own and others' safety and success. Eating jointly-prepared meals, sitting together round Leader's huge table was a memorable experience for these young people. They each acquired new skills and self confidence which will move us forward in other parts of their lives."                                                                                                      

Connexions service keyworker

"It really made me feel like my old self again. Thanks for the experience. All of you made us feel very welcome. 

Oh yeah, and it was nice to eat the food at the table like we did. I’ve never done that. Me, my brother and sister would sit at the table while my mum and her husband sat in the living room watching telly. Eating is an important part of life, I suppose, and you lot held us together with the love. Thinking back it felt like a family to me."

Mark

"It forced me to think about myself and about my behaviour. I can see that negative attitudes do have a strong impact on others and make things go wrong, but I’ve found out I can help good things to happen in my life if I change that." 

Claire

"The experience had a very positive impact on the pupils concerned. During the trip they had no choice but to take responsibility for their behaviour and acknowledge the effect their actions had on those around them. This would not normally be the case, as in the event of them “kicking off” they would merely leave a trail of destruction and hurt feelings behind them. While on Golden Vanity they had to accommodate the needs of others, and question their 'survival of the fittest' attitude and work as a team, which was a most beneficial experience. 

As a direct result of the trip I gained a further insight into certain behaviour, which enabled me to facilitate group discussion on many issues. These discussions usually took place on deck in the early hours when the atmosphere and environment were most calming. I was able to witness triggers that cause undesirable behaviour. This was invaluable as I could review and modify strategies for dealing with it."

Teacher

"Our students have many and varied special needs, ranging from slow learners, physical clumsiness, behaviour problems, and speech defects to Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder. All of these were soon forgotten once we were on board and became a ‘crew’ for Leader. We would like to say a very big thank you for memorable days; the students really enjoyed all aspects of it." 

Teacher, Special School

"I learned a lot. It was the first time away from London and it gave me time to look at what I do in my life. I am continuing with my IT course and hopefully will find my own place to live in the near future." 

Mandy

"It is my sincere and genuine feeling that more can be achieved with our emotionally and behaviourally challenged children in a week on the boat than in months in school. 

I wanted to let you know how very much we all enjoyed the experience. The children gained an enormous amount, not just in sailing but in living together at close quarters, and in what it means to work together to achieve a goal. 

Some of our children are very volatile and find it difficult to tolerate each other, adults and the pressures of school work without showing what is euphemistically called challenging behaviour None of this was apparent during the week, and this was very much due to the relaxed but businesslike way the boat is run. At no time did the kids feel threatened in any way, and even when uncomfortable and sometimes unpleasant work was required your blend of persuasion and expectation always seemed to do the trick. It is a great skill." 

Teacher, Residential School for children with emotional problems

"You realise you can change the way you think, and that there may be more in life than you thought. Now there may be a way forward." 

Carol

"It is hard to quantify not only the difference the sail training makes to the children, but the simple pleasure they experience from comradeship, hard satisfying physical work, personal achievement ---- and perhaps most of all a sense of ownership and belonging. All had the experience of being away from their own environment, with the dangers of drug abuse and crime, which was swapped for the real excitement of facing nature’s awesome power.

 I cannot begin the explain the pleasure I get from observing young people, who at the outset had little regard for anyone else (and, perhaps worst of all, themselves) transformed into important and integral members of crew, with a responsible and caring attitude to both the boat and fellow crew alike. 

The last trip enabled me to gain the trust of four young people who in the past have trusted no one, to get alongside them and explain the importance of making things happen that will give them choices in how they live their lives. It has been an experience that has left them believing in their own worth, and with the realisation that they must take control." 

Youth Worker, Educational Social Work Service

"I was worried I had made a mistake by going and that I would not be able to cope with it all. A lot of the others seemed to have the same fears. But we all worked together and talked and helped each other and at the end we all were feeling really relaxed and had made good friends with each other.”"

Alison

"The group we brought with us were young people on the very brink of social exclusion. The experience has helped in raising their self-esteem and confidence enormously. There has been a huge improvement in self-awareness, evident not only through their new-found ability for reflection but from parents who tell us they have seen marked and positive changes in behaviour since the trip. 

In addition, they also experienced for the first time an environment where teamwork and a strong work ethic produced tangible rewards. They have reflected on this, and there is evidence of changing attitudes towards work.  

It has left them ‘buzzing’ and it is quite clear that their aspirations and expectations have been raised as a result. 

The group had a huge range of needs that required careful management and lots of patience. The crew dealt with this in their stride and pitched their delivery perfectly. They were a huge factor in the positive outcome." 

Youth Workers

"It brought me out of the bubble I was stuck in. I am stronger than I thought, and I feel like a new person."

Emma

"A great week. When we got to Exeter Services on the return journey the entire group begged us to turn the clock back and start the week again. Whether it was what they learned about sailing, about teamwork, about themselves or about anger management in a confined living space, each of our young people gained a lot from the week." 

Youth worker, Connexions Service

"I think everyone should do this, it is so good. The boat was really nice and the crew helped us do everything. I achieved amazing things that I would never have thought possible. At three o’clock in the morning we were on watch in the middle of the Channel out of sight of land, with only the lights from a passing ship in sight.

Me and Kate and Craig and Neil were in charge, with the Mate and bosun, and all the others sleeping down below. We talked about all sorts, and made hot drinks to keep us warm, and then I stretched out at the back and just looked up at the Moon and the stars. 

As the sun was coming up we woke the others and then went to bed ourselves, listening to the boat break as it moved up and down on the waves. When I woke it was time for breakfast and we were nearly at France.”

 Becky

"Thank you for the amazing voyages our students have enjoyed. Our staff are sure the experience has been beneficial in all sorts of ways – boosting self-esteem, promoting teamwork, enhancing responsibility-taking skills – the list goes on. The feedback has been very positive." 

Teacher, Tutorial Unit

"Our population consists of children with moderate learning difficulties, plus some with physical disabilities, behavioural problems or autism. All participated in the voyages. 

The benefits are many, wide-ranging and have a long-term effect on their development. 

They have a longing for adventure that they often express in risky or anti-social activities. Sailing on Golden Vanity shows them adventure may be open to them in an acceptable way. 

Almost universally they have a poor self-image and self-confidence. Beforehand, they are worried about a host of things, and about how they will cope. Afterwards they go on to tackle new experiences with confidence, knowing they have succeeded in a very challenging situation. 

Most impressive of all, they have to take responsibility for each other, to trust each other and earn respect. Things like keeping watch while others sleep brings it home that their efforts are essential to the well-being of all. This is a new experience; they have never been trusted with such responsibility." 

Teacher, Special School