Ensuring that disability is not a barrier to experiencing the joy of sailing
About Poole Sailability
Poole Sailability is a registered charity which provides sailing and water-based activities in Poole Harbour for people with disabilities and impaired health in order to improve community health and well-being. We want to ensure that disability is not a barrier to experiencing the joy of sailing, and to that end we strive to make each session as enjoyable as possible.
Our Charitable Objective is : - “To provide and assist in the provision of water-based activities in Poole Harbour and the surrounding area for people with disabilities, in the interests of social welfare and with the object of improving the condition of their lives."
Our vision is : - “A more inclusive and healthier local community where disability is not a barrier to sailing”
Our Mission is : - "To positively impact people’s lives by creating a safe, supportive environment that enables the enjoyment and health benefits of sailing and being on the water by all."
The charity, first registered in 2009, is entirely managed and operated by volunteers and is led by a small committee of trustees who are elected annually by the members. Poole Sailability is one of 200 Sailability locations that operate independently under the banner of the Royal Yachting Association(the RYA).
The charity is supported by members’ fundraising, legacies, donations and grants. Each year, members are invited to make a small membership contribution towards the running of the club.
Anyone with a disability may apply to join as a member and participants are encouraged to take an active part in the sailing of the boats, and informal training is offered for those who are inexperienced. In addition we are always looking for new volunteers to crew the boats, welcome our members on shore and help us with administrative tasks.
In the winter months our volunteers help maintain our boats and there are often informative theory sessions when you can learn about seamanship and sailing techniques.
We like to think we are a friendly, welcoming group and run a programme of social and fund raising events where all members and their friends and families are welcome.
As an accredited Royal Yachting Association site we maintain stringent standards of safety for our boats and equipment, and ensure that all our skippers and crew are suitably experienced and have passed our competency assessments.
https://www.rya.org.uk/start-boating/sailability
