Colleagues Take to The Sea
As part of Mental Health Awareness Week, we sent seven of our colleagues off sailing for the day. The day on the water provided a first opportunity to try sailing and take a well deserved break away from the busy factory. Mental health is the largest cause of disability in the UK and affects one in four adults in any given year. Sailing can and does have a tremendous impact on mental health and improved wellbeing. Plenty of people tell us that sailing boosts self-esteem, improves our confidence, and reduces tension & stress. Learning to sail focuses the mind and body in the moment and learning a new skill allows you to momentarily leave your comfort zone and immerse your thoughts on the experience of being out on the water. Happily, no one went overboard and all the team have returned raving about the experience.
We have accessed this opportunity through support for another event aimed at Mental Health Support. Every year we join Submarine Industry colleagues in a fundraising sailing day, the Reginald Fessenden Challenge, to support Sail2Help and The Not Forgotten. A donation to these charities secured the sailing day donated by Britannia Corporate Sailing Events – a true example of companies and charities collaborating to further positive mental health outcomes.
The SAIL2HELP programme was established to raise awareness of mental health issues among young people. And, to raise funds in order to offer much needed support to such vulnerable people, and their families who together are fighting a mental health battle.
The Not Forgotten was established for the benefit of service and ex-service personnel with disabilities or who are wounded and provides events which improve physical and mental health, address isolation and loneliness, and promote a sense of community and balance.
With this year’s event on the horizon we look forward to supporting both these charities again in July.