Original picture for the appeal by Geoff Hunt, past President RSMA. New Thames Barge £ 590,420 Raised to date £315,000 Phase 1 target to build hull £80,000 Phase 2 target to completion £195,000 Sea-Change Sailing Trust Established as a not-for-profit company in March 2007 and as a registered charity in September 2008, we provide action-centred learning and seamanship training for young people and vulnerable adults. We are expert and experienced in offering a range of different experiences for our clients, with accreditation of learning where possible. Objectives We believe working on a large traditional sailing vessel, with appropriate support, provides empowerment in a secure yet challenging environment, enabling personal reassessment and lasting positive outcomes. • to place young people in a unique residential developmental and learning situation • to provide an holistic, innovative and alternative approach to education and learning, tailored to suit individual needs using objective accreditation when possible • to provide physical challenges in a safe, supportive and stimulating environment • to provide a structured regime with trusting and positive relationships in which young people can thrive and take responsibility • to provide support in transferring positive personal development into life beyond the project Our Work so far Our work has included residential voyages for young people and adults with learning difficulties, extended accreditation programmes for hard- to-reach young people, as well as courses for homeless people, students of nautical studies, sea cadets, and young people at risk of educational exclusion. One of our great advantages is our flexibility – we are able to design programmes for a very wide range of clientèle, from larger groups of troubled teenagers (about a dozen) going on a short sail to a week of activities for smaller groups (about 6-8) leading to accreditation. Being a Royal Yachting Association Training Centre we are able to provide worthwhile certification of vocational learning. We also offer accreditation of personal development like working together and problem solving. This results in a flexible graduated scheme enabling every client to have the opportunity to take away a record of achievement, whether it is for a short overnight voyage or an extended programme of several weeks duration. This process has convinced us of the need for our services and the opportunity presented by a purpose-built sailing barge. This will enable the project to offer programmes over a whole season compared to the current level of availability, and to tailor these directly to the needs and timescales of clients. Making It Real “We work with young people from troubled backgrounds, sometimes failing at school, who can turn their lives around – some even aiming for maritime careers. It is also an environment where people with physical and learning disabilities and difficulties can thrive. This sort of activity-based learning in a structured, safe yet challenging situation can literally change peoples’ lives.” Richard Titchener, Sea-Change Skipper & Executive Officer 2 The origional plans of 1928, above, have been updated for the new Hull. Clients’ Comments “It was a positive and enjoyable experience. Helped our teamwork, confidence and trust in each other. It was good to get to know everyone really well. Helped me to decide that I wanted to work in Outdoor Education.” Sarah Green, Participant “The two cohorts of participants that have come back from their trips with Sea-Change have all thoroughly enjoyed the experience and found it very positive. The voyage for the second group appeared to have a far greater effect on their development and definitely improved their group interaction. “The Sea-Change team are very understanding as to the differing needs of the young people involved. I would recommend and have recommended the programme to my colleagues in the wider Youth Development Service. All the participants continue to talk about their experience and look back on the trip with much warmth and enjoyment.” Gordon Walling, Youth Development Service, Surrey. “Always very calm and very patient, even when we did it wrong! Good explanations about what to do, would explain it until we got it right. Very calm. Firm but fair. Would listen to what people had to say. Nice friendly people.” Stuart Jones, Participant 7 Costs in pounds Sterling Steel Hull, welded as replica of 1930 original 318,000 Internal Fit-out 37,440 Hatches 2,580 On Deck Fit-out 6,300 Sails 24,780 Masts & Spars 17,700 Outboard Motor 1,590 Plumbing & Heating 7,730 Electrics/Lights 4,510 Chain & Anchor 4,200 Misc. 6,300 Paint 3,600 Leeboards 15,480 Rudder 1,920 Run/Standing Rig. 19,380 Barge Boat 13,320 Mooring Warps 1,165 Winches 22,090 Hatch Cloths 2,400 Drawing approval 30,000 Survey 14,135 Semi-skilled Labour 13,200 Regulatory 7,200 Insurance 8,400 Project Management 10,000 272,420 590,420 Naming rights are available for elements within the new vessel or indeed for the whole vessel itself. We are happy to discuss naming rights with supporters. Also the placing of a supporter’s logo within the sail plan provides an excellent means of identifying with the charitable and environmental objectives of the project. This logo will be highly visible in the southeast of England. Local Employment: Wherever possible the vessel with be built and fitted out in Essex. 6 The Programmes There is regular formal and informal feedback and reinforcement of learning and challenging of inappropriate behaviour. The voyages undertaken follow a pattern designed to visit and experience a range of educational activities, from an appreciation of the maritime history“ of Thames barges, to study of the flora and fauna of the coastal environment, achieved through developing the direct skills needed to sail and navigate the vessel. Young people also receive tuition in the practical application of key skills such as communication, problem solving and working as a team. Every Child Matters The programme achieves the five outcomes consistent with the Government's Every Child Matters guidelines: • healthy living through an outdoor environment involving physical and mental challenge, accredited learning and good nutrition away from the temptation of alcohol and substance misuse • participants are regarded as equal team members whose contribution, decisions and behaviour contribute to the success of joint venture • enjoyment and achievement in the context of alternative learning provision • the enjoyment is emotionally and physically secure with clearly identified safe practices based upon growing personal awareness and empathetic staff • participants achieve accreditation and references for future training and employment “Sea-Change is committed to providing a unique experience for young people when they come on board and sail with them. The majority come through agencies and established groups, many from difficult backgrounds and at risk from being drawn into crime and drug abuse. Sailing takes them out of their familiar surroundings, gives them a break from their environment and makes them dependent upon each other and the crew. “For many of them, it will be the first time they have had to work as part of a team and on their own ini- tiative. The sense of achievement and pride they get from participating in sailing and managing the boat is plain to see. However, there is no quick fix and the experience they need cannot be contained in a week- end or short week. The Sea-Change Sailing Trust works with and helps young people to regain their confidence, develop their personal and leadership skills and reach their potential. To do this and to change their attitudes, ambitions and outlook on life needs an intense experience over a period of weeks. How long will depend on individual need. “The staff work closely with group leaders and/or social workers during the trip to ensure the young people get the most from their time and have appropriate support and encouragement. Whilst the group is on board they take a full and active role not only when sailing but whilst tied up alongside and in leisure time. “Experienced and qualified sailors, with a wealth of experience working with young people, Sea-Change staff are developing an additional important set of skills to help embed positive change. The vision includes providing an active resource for clients in the preparation for their programme and the follow-up so as to create an integrated experience. Therefore the professional crew will include an educational facilitator who will assist with the accreditation of learning.” Revd. Canon Duncan Green, Church of England Olympic & Paralympic Executive Coordinator 3 Our Needs A New Thames Barge Sea-Change needs its own Thames barge designed to suit the needs of the project. The new vessel will comprise a steel hull and all the traditional rigging and decking of a sea-going Thames barge. It will have 12 berths with basic facilities below. History of the Thames Barge The Thames sailing barge is a type of commercial sailing boat common on the River Thames in the 19th century. Flat-bottomed, barges were perfectly adapted to the Thames Estuary, with its shallow waters and narrow rivers. They could float in one metre of water and could dry out in the tidal waters without heeling over. This allowed them to visit the narrow tributaries and creeks of the Thames to load farm cargoes, or to dry out on the sandbanks and mudflats to load materials for brick making and building – and their peak was while London was expanding rapidly. The main mast could be lowered to clear bridges and they could sail completely unballasted – a major saving in time and labour – and they could sail with a small crew, often two persons. Their heyday came at the turn of the 20th century when over 2,000 were on the registry but that century saw a steady decline in their numbers.