Residents of Old Charlton House in Cowes had fun on a boat trip arranged byCowes Sailability Club.
Four residents from a care home in Cowes were among a group of local people with disabilities who enjoyed a boat trip organised by Cowes Sailability Club. The trips were subsidised by Cowes Town Council, to encourage elderly people and those with disabilities to get out and about in the town and engage in an outdoor activity.
Marilyn Rose, one of the participants, thoroughly enjoyed the trip. “It was such a lovely surprise when the staff at Old Charlton House organised a boat trip through Cowes Sailability Club,” she said. “After being confined to the care home so much during the COVID pandemic, it was very nice to be able to get out and do something different in Cowes. I really enjoyed the sea air and seeing Cowes from the water again.”
Marilyn has lived in Cowes for most of her life and ran antique shops in Gurnard and Newport for many years. Speaking enthusiastically about her day out, she continued, “There was a nice breeze on the day, and we went along the Medina River in a motorboat that was able to accommodate me in my wheelchair. This was the most fun I’ve had in ages!”
Trish Rooke, Fundraising Officer at Cowes Sailability Club is very grateful to Cowes Town Council for its support. “It is so important for people living in care homes to have opportunities to take part in outdoor activities and try new things,” she says. “Going on a boat trip can enable elderly people and those with disabilities to stay physically active, enjoy new sensory experiences and interact with different people, all of which helps to improve their sense of wellbeing.”
She adds, “I would like to say a huge thank you to local councillors for supporting Cowes Sailability and enabling us to organise an accessible boat trip for the group from the Old Charlton House care home, as well as additional excursions that are planned for groups of other local people later this summer.”
The trip took place on a wheelchair-accessible motorboat, chartered for the day by Cowes Sailability Club and owned and operated by Wetwheels Hamble CIC. Specially designed to cater for people with disabilities, Wetwheels Hamble can accommodate ten passengers, including up to three wheelchairs.
Cowes Sailability Club is grateful to the Royal London Yacht Club and the Royal Yacht Squadron for granting the charity permission to use their pontoons.
During the course of the summer, Cowes Sailability Club is facilitating more trips on Wetwheels Hamble for Isle of Wight residents. To see availability visit: Cowes Sailability calendar.Cowes Sailability calendar.