Volunteers needed to take disabled or disadvanted people boating
Do you enjoy messing about in boats? Would you like to bring a sense of fun, freedom and adventure into the lives of disabled and disadvantaged people?
The Nancy Oldfield Trust at Neatishead, which provides water borne activities for people with a wide range of disabilities, both mental and physical, needs volunteers with sailing, boating and canoeing skills to supervise and teach small parties of visitors.
The Trust, a registered charity, is holding a Volunteers Open Day on Monday August 22nd from 3- 8 pm when interested people can see the facilities, go boating on Barton Broad, and talk to experienced volunteers.
The Nancy Oldfield Trust is a Royal Yachting Association training centre and will provide training for volunteers where appropriate. Experienced sailors can be trained up to Senior Instructor level.
At present the Trust is supported by a team of 20 RYA trained volunteers who teach sailing, canoeing skills or take motor boat trips out on the Broads both during the day and evening. Volunteers are also needed to supervise fishing activities, waterborne bird watching trips and work on winter boat maintenance.
One volunteer explained his experience by saying he derives “immense satisfaction” from combining his skills to bring life-changing experiences to disabled people.
“To be involved in giving access to a sport to people with disabilities or to people who are socially disadvantaged is immensely satisfying,” he said. “Many of our visitors overcome considerable physical challenges to achieve what many able-bodied people wouldn’t be able to. “I get a lot out of it myself because I love sailing and I get to play with boats. It gives my own life purpose to do what I really enjoy. The first time I went out with the Trust people said “thanks” and I wondered what they were thanking me for. I felt I should be thanking them!”
About 3,500 people, many with their carers, come from all over the country to holiday and enjoy days out with the Nancy Oldfield Trust each year. The Trust is open throughout the year, with some local groups making regular visits, and in summer it is not unusual for four day groups and a residential group to be sailing at the same time.
The Trust’s base is a specially adapted ten bed waterside bungalow at Neatishead, and it owns a variety of sailing craft – a Yeoman, a Randmeer, a Yare and Bure One Design, two Falmouth Bass Boats, two Illusions and a traditional Broads yacht which has been restored. It also owns three motor cruisers, canoes and two rescue boats.
The Trust’s purpose built floating base, nicknamed the ‘Ark’ which provides sheltered seating, toilet, and a kitchen is a welcome amenity during sailing activities out on Barton Broad.
The Nancy Oldfield Trust was formed in 1984 by the late Richard Kenyon, a keen sailor, sportsman, photographer and broadsman, in memory of his parents. Visitors pay a contribution towards the cost of a holiday and the Trust relies on donations and grants to help meet its costs of £150,000 a year.
If you would like to attend the Open Day simply contact the centre to let them know you are coming, using the telephone number below.
If you are interested in becoming a volunteer but are unable to visit on that day contact the centre manager, Robin Slatter, on 01692 630572 or email him on info@nancyoldfield.org.uk. The Trust’s website is www.nancyoldfield.org.uk
09/08/2005
