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“I would just like to say a big thanks for providing our students the opportunity to experience sailing aboard Boleh this week. In my opinion this was a fantastic opportunity to inspire our students and promote a can-do attitude using sail training as the medium. I used this experience as a reward for an outstanding attitude to learning and achievements across all subjects in school. I personally really enjoyed the experience too!”
Neal BurtonDorset Studio School. July 2017
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“It was a great experience, I learnt lots of things about Boleh. I was quite nervous at first, but loved steering. I also learnt about the tides and port and starboard. Thanks for a great day!” ,
LukeStudent, Isle of Portland Aldridge Community Academy. June 2017
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"I really enjoyed it. Steering was the best part. We went up to the end of the harbour, and I steered it most of the way up. It was hard work – you have to fight against the wind, but I got the hang of it. I would definitely do it again."
RubyAge 15, Mayfield School, Portsmouth. May 2018.
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"This opportunity was a very special one for the students and staff involved. Some of these students are in the most in need category at school but shone on Boleh. (The skipper and mate) were outstanding in every way and connected with our students straight away."
Mark SalmonWey Valley School, Dorset. June 2018
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"Four amazing days for our students . This opportunity has proved hugely rewarding and enriching. Having spoken with the other school staff who went, they all remarked how great Boleh is as a yacht and how rewarding the trips have been with regards to the Social, Mental and Emotional Health (SMEH) needs of many of the students who went."
Neal BurtonDorset Studio School. June 2018.
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"I recently participated in the Small Ships Race sailing in ‘Boleh’, based in Gosport. This Race is organised by ASTO from Cowes and is meant to give determined young people with little sailing knowledge the opportunity to sail. I am lucky enough to have a bit of background knowledge which meant I could appreciate the interesting and unique design of Boleh."
"Although we didn’t finish too high up the leaderboard we all had fun, gained experience and made new connections with new people. We overcame some unexpected surprise problems but we all just took this in our stride and carried on. The weather could have been a little bit nicer but it did not affect how much I enjoyed my time on Boleh and how much I have taken away from this amazing opportunity."
"Thanks to ASTO and the Boleh Trust for respectively organising the whole event and providing a great day out."
JamieAge 14, Isle of Wight. October 2018
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“I just wanted to drop you an email thanking you and the NFF for the experience our pupils at Mayfield have had with the sailing on Boleh. On both days the pupils completely enjoyed themselves and got to experience something new and different. I would like to pass on my deepest gratitude to the skipper and first mate, Pete and Gordon, as they made sure the pupils and staff were looked after and able to experience all different aspects of sailing. They really did make both days special and enjoyable.”
BenTeacher, Mayfield School, May 2019
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“Hi, just wanted to say thank you for the amazing opportunity for our pupils. Today will be adding to their memories. They loved every moment.”
ShireenTeacher, St Swithuns School, June 2019
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“The children that have attended a [Pompey Military Kids] sailing session have thoroughly enjoyed themselves. This has enabled them to discuss sailing with their Serving parent and have some shared experiences. School staff have explained how many Services children have expressed their feelings during the sessions as they know their peers understand their way of life. The sessions have also helped to inform staff about the Military lifestyle and challenges, which allows them to better support the children back in the school environment. I very much appreciate your commitment to supporting our families. Many thanks.”
Nicola ThompsonFamilies Engagement Officer, Naval Families Federation, October 2019
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"It has been a real pleasure and a privilege to take students from The Wey Valley Academy on sailboat Boleh. The students have been totally engaged in her history, design and in the simple pleasure of travelling over water. They have learned a great deal about Portland harbour and seen an area they live in from a very different perspective. They learnt about how to sail and loved interacting with the crew. Many were also lucky enough to sail around the cruise ships, see the White Horse and watch the joy of the dolphins alongside Boleh. The Boleh staff/crew were outstanding. We look forward to your return next year."
Mark SalmonAssistant Vice Principal, Wey Valley School. June 2021
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"Erin had a great time yesterday on the 'Boleh' - what a fabulous opportunity - thank you so much! Many thanks"
Claire Connolly (Erin’s Mother)Portland. June 2021
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"With appropriate precautions for Covid 19, young people from the Wey Valley Academy, Dorset Studio School and Atlantic Academy at Portland experienced the thrills and challenges of sailing the historic yacht Boleh."
John TweedChair the Chesil Trust. July 2021
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"In summary, Ex SPLASH 2 was in my opinion a roaring success. The Cadets seemed to thoroughly enjoy themselves, and I as the supervising officer saw each of the three Cadets grow and develop in tangible terms before my own eyes over the course of the brief 8 days that we were at sea. The skills learnt by each of the three Cadets far exceeded the excitement of sailing and were in the real soft skills of dealing with other people in social situations, and confined spaces, as well as more life skills such as cooking and cleaning in a domestic (rather than camping) environment. This really was an invaluable opportunity for the Cadets, which I would thoroughly recommend to other Cadets."
Supervising OfficerDevon Army Cadet Force. August 2021
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“It was a great weekend. We got 20 soldiers on the boat over the weekend, and they loved it.”
Centre ManagerArmy Inshore Sailing Centre. August 2021
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"Sailing with Boleh offered the children a unique opportunity to learn new skills, work as a team, make memories with their peers and enjoy a day of fresh air. Parents and teachers have both commented on how engaged the children were following a day outside sailing. The boat is beautiful; it was so interesting to hear about the history and learn from the wealth of skills and experience of the skipper and mates. The team made sure we got the most from the experience and we felt safe in their hands, thank you Boleh Project!"
Hannah ChaineySt Jude’s School. September 2021
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"An amazing weekend’s sailing and a fantastic opportunity for training young soldiers and members of the Royal Engineers."
Troop CommanderRoyal Engineers. September 2021
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"I had a very happy parent from Newbridge Juniors (a school who traditionally do little for their Service kids) thrilled with the sailing experience for her son."
Alex WattsFamilies Pastoral Worker. October 2021
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"In October, our students had their very first experience of sailing with a day onboard Boleh. The much-anticipated trip proved a huge success and the teenagers had a great day learning the ropes (literally!) the rules of seamanship, maritime safety, navigation and how to safely manoeuvre the vessel."
Tony WestMilitary Mentors Training Academy. October 2021
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The lads got so much from their time on Boleh. They really bonded as a team, shared stories and experiences, and grew in confidence as the course progressed. We are all very grateful to the Boleh Trust and to our funders for this positive experience
Johnny MorrisNaval Recovery Manager, Faslane, May 2022
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Fantastic to join the Naval Recovery Programme briefly and learn so much about the Boleh Trust’s impressive work and how the Royal Navy delivers an active programme for our most important asset – our people
Commodore Jeremy BaileyPortsmouth Naval Base Commander, June 2022
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The whole Boleh experience is fun, exciting, interactive, educational and memorable, with an excellent level of instruction. We are so lucky to have access to such a fantastic vessel
Tony WestDirector, Military Mentors, June 2022
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These sails provide a great balance of learning while being fun
SupervisorGosport & Fareham Multi Academy Trust schools, June 2022
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On behalf of the students, the school and myself, can I thank you for the wonderful opportunity. Both groups had an amazing day sailing. The teams that led the days were fantastic. They were super friendly, knowledgeable, and enthusiastic. Please pass on my gratitude to them
TeacherAll Saints Academy, June 2022
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We’ve had a whale of a time, Thank you so much, Craig you’ve been great and the students loved it
StephenTeacher, Budmouth Academy, July 2022
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Feedback from the children: “It has been one of the best days…..ever”; “We don’t want it to end”; “We want to stay longer”; “Such a good day and such good value at £5
Mark SalmonAssistant Vice Principal, Wey Valley School, August 2022
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This is so cool, I never thought I would be able to do this”; “I have had the best day…I want to do this again”; and “I didn’t think I would enjoy it as much as I did
Young CarersYouth Action Wiltshire, August 2022
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I just wanted to write and say thank you so much for a really great day on Thursday. The children from Pompey Military Kids, and Rachel and I loved it. A truly unique, safe and enjoyable experience
MandyTeacher, Wimborne Primary School, September 2022
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After we had all had a wet and windy but great time (and moored up for lunch), we made our return to port, back on the ferry and returned to school, wet and windswept but elated and pleasantly tired. A fantastic day!! Thank you Boleh
AmeliaTeacher, Lord Nelson School, October 2022
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I just wanted to send an email to thank you all so much for the wonderful day we had on Boleh yesterday. The students that attended smiled all day and all said the day was amazing. Please pass on our thanks to the whole team
TeacherLord Nelson School, October 2022
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It was really good”; “Really liked it”; “The other students were chill!”
Students from Service familiesBrune Park Community School, October 2022
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As part of Pompey’s Military Kids affiliation with the wonderful BOLEH, along with PMK representatives and pupils from Wimborne Primary and Mayfield Secondary, we were extremely privileged to meet Her Royal Highness, Princess Anne. Princess Anne was keen to know about our connection and the work that we do, as well as question the children’s knowledge on knots! It was a wonderful and memorable occasion for all, with a massive thank you to the Boleh Project for our invitation and for the incredible opportunity for PMK to sail with them
Nikki Burge / Becky LovellNikki Burge, Aggie’s Families Pastoral Worker, and Becky Lovell, NFF Education & Childcare Policy Advisor, November 2022
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Just wanted to say thanks for the opportunity to sail on Boleh. A fantastic boat, very interesting history and I can see the valued experience it offers young people.
Steven MoattTrustee, Chesil Sailing Trust, June 2023
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The young people had a wonderful time. Thank you for making this amazing opportunity an experience that I am sure they will never forget
Niki AndrewsSenior Wiltshire Young Carers Service Co-ordinator, August 2023
