VI Sailing with Visa GB, a report by Anita Davies:
We are very grateful to both VISA GB and the Whirlwind Trust for giving us the opportunity to sail from Milford Haven. It was an amazing experience for the three members of the visually impaired crew who had a small amount of experience in sailing.
Our skipper Rosie was amazing and so patient in the way she taught us to sail. Our second in command David taught us so many new skills from how to tie knots to new ways of cooking.
Adele the third mate and member of the sighted crew was such an amazing help in explaining, supporting us in our various tasks.
We experienced every aspect of how to sail a yacht from the safety checks, to steering and using nature to help us do this by use of the wind to hoisting sales and preparing the ship to set sale.
There are always tasks such setting the anchor out that we can do within reason but need sighted assistance and without this sighted assistance the sailing would not be possible.
It gives us as individuals with sight loss encouragement and confidence to have experiences such as this that are often beyond our own personal reach in the mainstream world. Mainly because there is a lack of understanding and provision within the mainstream environments to accommodate us. Having organisation such as VISA GB enable us to learn, growth and have the confidence to improve our mindset as we get to see what we can achieve with encouragement. It enables us to share these experience with others who have similar challenges and to join in with mainstream providers if that is what we feel we would like to pursue.
All three of us learnt a great deal on our trip and are far more confident in our abilities in so many ways from working as a team to understanding our own boundaries and beliefs.
Once again thank you on behalf of our yacht!
With support from the Whirlwind Trust, Visa-gb provided three yachts from Milford Haven, with six crew per boat we provided a weeks sailing for nine visually impaired adults with nine sighted crew in support.
To find out more about the Whirlwind Trust and all the wonderful work they do click here: https://www.whirlwind.org.uk/
