Volunteers from Cowes Sailability get information and inspiration during the annual RYA Sailability Conference.
Trish Rooke, Robin Lennox and Paul Wilks pictured with Sarah Treseder (in red), Chief Executive Officer, RYA
Three long-standing volunteers from Cowes Sailability Club joined representatives from other Sailability groups around the country at the annual Royal Yachting Association (RYA) Sailability Conference in Bedfordshire. The event provided an ideal opportunity for Trish Rooke, Robin Lennox and Paul Wilks to share experiences with other volunteers and learn new skills prior to the start of the 2018 sailing season.
During the conference, the trio attended a number of workshops on topics ranging from safety at sea to funding and data management. They also learned about a new campaign, funded by Sport England, which will start to shape the future of the Sailability movement, nationally and locally, later this year. A key highlight of the event was the dinner in the evening, when they had the chance to network with other clubs and see the presentation of awards.
“It was such an enjoyable and informative day,” says Trish Rooke, Fund Raising Officer for Cowes Sailability Club. “I met so many interesting people, who, like me, are committed to providing sailing opportunities for those who have severe disabilities. I felt particularly inspired by the amazing stories from the people and groups who were nominated for awards.”
Read some of our members’ amazing stories about their experiences with Sailability