Last month a flagship programme, Boleh’s lengthy association with the wounded, injured and sick on the RN Recovery Pathway, finished in style. This Season Boleh again provided three weeks of sailing courses for the programme: a mixed group in the Spring, Royal Marines in the Summer, and the final Portsmouth group in October. As always, it was a privilege to work with these Sailors and Royal Marines who rapidly form a first class team and, by week end, almost sail Boleh themselves! Course highlights have been visits to Cowes, whether an evening ‘run ashore’ or a lunchtime coffee house tour (pictured).
RN Recovery management have valued Boleh’s contribution of sailing courses to the programme. These provide sick Service personnel with a unique opportunity, outside the military environment, to interact with others in a similar situation and enable them to focus positively on what they can do to get themselves better. The course aims to restore the spirits of the participants and provides a real tonic for those with mental health issues, often marking the turning point on their recovery journey.
Participants are also full of praise. On course completion, 62% judged them ‘Outstanding’ and 38% ‘Very Good’, while 82% reported positive improvement in mood and well-being and 89% positive improvement in self-confidence and self-worth. Our thanks to the RN&RM Charity and the Nuffield Trust for making all this possible. We are proud to have helped our Naval friends, and humbled by the Recovery Delivery Manager’s farewell message: “Thank you so much for your support this year and over the previous 3 years. Boleh Sailing was among the first courses set up for the RN Recovery Programme, and we will never forget the fantastic support you have given us.”
