Cowes Residential Home Sailing Trip Brings Joy To Residents

Residents from Old Charlton House in Cowes experienced the first of their sailing trips thanks to the charities, Wetwheels and Cowes Sailability.

Both charities provide the opportunity for disabled and elderly people to experience life at sea for a couple of hours.

Volunteers give up their time to open up the opportunities to those who are less able-bodied.

Some of the residents used to have boats of their own and were very much a part of Cowes sailing community.

It offered resident, Joy, the chance to relive her days out at sea.

They arrived at Cowes Corinthian Yacht Club where the boat was moored, and Joy recognised the place as one where she used to be the secretary for the club.

She began to reminisce about her younger days working for Uffa Fox.

Residents enjoyed spectacular views as the boat meandered down the River Medina, and then found it exhilarating as the boat, a powered catamaran, picked up speed and took them out to sea, along to beautiful Osborne Bay.

The weather smiled on everyone and they enjoyed the lovely warm sunshine.

Everyone really had a marvellous time and would love to do it again.

Jim, a retired merchant naval officer, soaked up the experience of being on the boat, and said:

“That was amazing, I loved every second”.

These trips not only offer the residents special moments but the families too. Harry enjoyed his trip out and when his wife saw the photographs of him, she said:

“Oh that’s absolutely wonderful, he looks like my Harry used to in his younger days”.

Activities Coordinator, Debbie Webb, added:

“We are so lucky to be able to offer these experiences to our residents, and thank both Sailability and Wetwheels for supporting us.

"The joy it gives to our residents is absolutely wonderful, and we love seeing their smiles”.

There will be a second trip in August for the next group.