Making waves this summer
During Mental Health Awareness week, we are bringing you news of our exciting plans to raise awareness about mental health & suicide, and increase young people's wellbeing through sailing this year.
In his slipstream
"In his slipstream" is the working title of a film and photo essay project, all about a family learning to sail in memory of Laury - our son, brother, cousin, nephew - who was as passionate about sailing as he was compassionate towards people and planet.
To mark the first anniversary of Blue Spirit beginning its operations, and to raise awareness of its work, I and members of my family plan to sail across the Channel to Port Blanc in Brittany, where Laury was brought up, where he learned to sail, and where he is buried.
None of us have any sailing experience to speak of, but we will travel under the skippership of Dhara Thompson, one of the directors of the Sail Boat Project. Once in Brittany, we will invite young people on board to sail with us.
An amazing team of award-winning journalists and film-makers - all of whom are family and friends - are taking on this project to help us explore the themes of mental health and wellbeing and their polarity, mental illness and suicide - as well as the grief of losing a son, brother, partner, best friend.
To make this project happen, we are seeking to raise £10,000 to cover the costs of making the film and photo essay, which includes community sailboat hire, other travel, accommodation, film & photography costs, and subsistence.
This project is, of course, highly emotional for all who knew and loved Laury, but it is also vitally important, as part of his enduring legacy, to raise awareness about mental health issues in the young, to help prevent isolation and despair, and to create solidarity and well-being in their place. So please do join us on this journey to bring positivity and impact in his slipstream.
With love and gratitude - Solen
Hitting the Northern surf
Starting on 27th May with a group of young people from Newcastle College, Blue Spirit is funding its first community sails in the North East of England.
We are working with Ocean Youth Trust North, Newcastle College and several voluntary organisations to allow at least four groups of young people to go sailing between May and August this year. The groups are made up of 12 young people who have been identified as coming from disadvantaged communities and/or suffering from mental health issues.
Three of the groups will be going on weekend voyages, while one will enjoy a 5-day trip in August.
Another project in the pipeline is a developing relationship with Derwent Reservoir Sailing Club to allow young people in the area to take courses in dinghy sailing on our local reservoir.
We will bring you news of all our summer activities and further developments in our autumn newsletter!
Thank you for your support!
