We have worked with students and volunteer teachers from the Brighton-based Migrant English Project (MEP) since 2013, taking people out on short sailing trips from Chichester harbour and Brighton marina. The aim has been to offer positive experiences for refugees, asylum seekers and migrants, some of the most marginalised members of society. We know that sailing can be a combination of relaxation, enjoyment of the marine environment, exercise, and development of people group working skills.
Yesterday we managed to take out 16 people from MEP on four short trips! A total of 49 folk from MEP came down to Itchenor for the day, enjoying walks, boat trips, picnics and sailing with us. The weather was thankfully perfectly sunny and a good breeze to get us sailing and nearly everyone who came out on Karic had a go helming. Here’s some feedback we received:
“Thank you so much for taking my wife Eunice on the boat trip today. She had an amazing time and really enjoyed herself. Again Thank You.”
“In the name of mine and my family all I would like to thank you very much about today trip and sailing which we did enjoyed a lot and really have fun and joy many thanks to you and to every body take part in that trip.”
Thanks to the Homity Trust who gave us a small grant earlier this summer which supported these taster sails.
