RESIDENTS at two elderly residential care homes proved they were no 'landlubbers’ when they were invited on board a ship specifically designed to enable people with disabilities to sail.
The residents, from the Nightingale Hall in Richmond, and Grimston Court home in York, were special guests of the Jubilee Sailing Trust (JST) – a registered charity that operates the only two tall ships in the world to be specially designed to enable people of all physical abilities to sail side by side as equals.
They were given a tour of the JST’s flagship vessel, the Lord Nelson, after it docked in Whitby Harbour following a five-day voyage from Hartlepool. The residents were able to see how the 54.7m ship works, as well as asking questions of the crew.
Everyone had a great day out and Wellburn Care Homes, which owns Nightingale Hall and Grimston Court, is now hoping to build further on its links with the JST and arrange more visits for other residents in the future.
Karl Beckett, Managing Director of Wellburn Care Homes, said: "We organise a range of activities for residents in all our homes and these include regular day trips.
"Our new partnership with the JST is an example of the excellent partnerships we like to develop with other organisations to enable us residents to experience different things and to ultimately improve their quality of life."
Sarah Davies, from the JST, said: "We are delighted that the residents enjoyed their tour of the Lord Nelson and we look forward to offering this opportunity to others in the future. The oldest person that has sailed with us so far was 98 and visits like these help to spread the word that people can enjoy coming aboard our ships regardless of age or physical abililty."
www.wellburncare.co.uk