TESTIMONIALS | BLUE SCHOOLS OF SUSTAINABILITY

Testimony for Maybe Sailing from Katie Hamlet

 

I’ve sailed with Maybe Sailing since 2016, first as a group leader for secondary school trips, then a volunteer and more recently in the position of Mate. As a teacher, I chose to provide sail training opportunities with Maybe Sailing to the pupils of my school because of the enthusiasm, knowledge and skills demonstrated by the staff onboard the vessel. I really valued the opportunities the young people got, and I loved seeing the friendships made while they (who barely knew each other before) worked as a team, grew in confidence and gained new skills. It was lovely to see each individual onboard accepted for who they are, and as the vessel felt like such a safe space, it allowed them to be themselves and make amazing lifelong memories and friendships.

All through the day, the young people are involved in activities such as sail setting, steering, going on the bowsprit, helping with the navigation and participating in ‘watches’. In the evening, it was important to eat dinner (which some of the young people had themselves cooked), together seated around a table, wash up as a team and then play some inclusive, educational games afterwards all while having fun. Sail training isn’t about learning how to sail, but the opportunities onboard a sailing vessel are fantastic for developing life skills.

As a teacher joining a specific school group, I personally knew all young people before we embarked on the voyage together. Seeing how the young people had changed through their voyage, seeing them develop resilience in situations they were out of their comfort zone in, and building confidence in themselves in circumstances that were new experiences. It was lovely to see less confident young people come out their shell and participate more, whether that was leading a group to cook dinner, helping steer the vessel or leading a sail hoist with their peers.

I always had extremely positive feedback from parents/carers after the young people returned from a trip with Maybe Sailing. Parents/carers often mentioned increased confidence, a positive change in ability and willingness to help around the house (for example helping with the washing of dishes and hoovering), their child being more independent and also how much they had enjoyed the trip, despite being really nervous before but that they were made to feel really welcome onboard.

After I left teaching, I experienced sail training in a different way which was from the viewpoint of being a crew member onboard Maybe. I loved the opportunity to expand the horizons of young people who came onboard, and the positive interaction between crew members and young people from all walks of life was a magical experience. Onboard a sailing vessel, there is not much space so it is great to see young people learn how to be patient in this kind of situation, and care for others. Even more so in more recent years, it is a very valuable experience for young people to spend less screen time on their phones/PCs etc, and more time experiencing the beauty of nature – swimming in the sea, admiring sunsets and sun rises and even just watching the world go by while sitting on deck, chatting or playing cards with their new friends.

Testimonial – Maybe Sailing

Over the last 17 years Merseyside Adventure Sailing Trust has successfully been working with Maybe Sailing to create a sustainable charity, providing the Tall Ship experience to young people. Using their tall ship Maybe and Blue Clipper.

Our Values

Excellence: To exceed standards in all we do, inspire excellence in Ambassadors, Volunteers and young people, and deliver a personalised customer service that surpasses expectations.
Respect: To foster a culture of respect and inclusiveness, being receptive to each other and young people and acting with integrity.
Innovation: To listen, learn, discover and develop; to respond effectively to and invest in our Ambassadors, Volunteers and young people.
Aspiration: We strive to be visionary and influential

What We Do

Guided by our Mission, Vision and Values we aim to provide opportunities for young people to develop their full potential, enabling them to become responsible members of society and enhance their life.

We strive to advance the education and training of young people up to the age of 25, particularly but not exclusively from Merseyside in:-

  1. The skills associated with the building and operation of seagoing vessels
  2. Seamanship and navigation
  3. Maritime history and legacy
  4. An understanding of the importance of the Ocean and the Marine Environment

As a result of us working in co-operation we have successfully worked with in excess of over 2800 young people assisting with the getting work with major employers and assisting them with their career/ life pathways

An example is a young lady who is Chief engineer with the Sir David Attenborough, a young man selling drugs in Liverpool now qualified as a master on Dutch tall ships. Plus over 200 qualifying for Duke of Edinburgh Gold residential and RYA competent Crew

MAST has been awarded

  1. The Queens Award –
  2. Positive Impact Awards from Mersey Maritime
  3. Jim Graves has been given the British Empire Medal

Jim Graves B.E.M.

Merseyside Adventure Sailing Trust

5 High Beeches Knowsley L16 3GA m

Website – www.mastyouthcharity.com