Ensuring that disability is not a barrier to experiencing the joy of sailing
Poole Sailability New Volunteers
Can you help disabled people enjoy the wonderful sport of sailing?
If you want to help others to enjoy sailing in a mixed ability group, then volunteer with Poole Sailability for a rewarding, satisfying and fun experience. A willingness to help, a friendly outgoing nature, and a little commitment is more than welcome.
We always need more volunteers as the numbers of disabled people who can enjoy sailing is in part limited by the numbers of volunteers that we have. Poole Sailability is a 100% volunteer run charity.
There is a regular weekly programme of sailing sessions for members and groups. Volunteer training takes place on Tuesday mornings, all subject to weather!
Shore-based volunteer roles
Maintenance and repair
A number of our volunteers support the fleet by getting involved in the ongoing maintenance and repairs.
Trustees
Trustees help the charity manage its legal and financial responsibilities, forward planning, strategy and policy making. If interested in this role please email chair@poolesailability.org.uk
Shorecrew Roles
Shorecrew volunteers assist in getting our members ready for sailing and registration at sessions. They can also be involved in our fundraising, promotional and social events. There are also roles in back-office support. For example:- communications, record keeping, publicity, fund raising, etc
On the water roles
Volunteer Crew
Volunteers help the skipper and the Number 2 in sailing and rigging our boats, and in supporting members. Previous sailing experience is needed, though practical help will be given throughout your experience to enable the transfer of your skills gained from dinghies or offshore yachts to our keel boats. Additional training sessions may be arranged as necessary and once confident on our boats you will be invited to join the team. A commitment of at least 2 sessions a month is normally expected.
Number 2’s
We have No.2’s in each boat who assist the skipper in preparing the boat, provide look out and help the crew and members to enjoy their time on the water. No 2’s are trained and accredited through our self-development sessions to support or to step in for the skipper during a session if needed.
Skippers/Duty Officer
We have skippers who are responsible for their crew at all times and oversee helming for beginners. Each session is organised and run by a Duty Officer who is in overall charge of that session who usually leads from the safety boat and has radio contact with our boats and key local support services.
Self Development sessions take place throughout the season to enable volunteers to improve their skills on the water. Potential sailing helpers will be expected to take part in a trial sail at one of these sessions to see how you like it.
Safety boat
We require RYA safety boat level PB2 powerboat qualified volunteers for each session to provide safety boat cover for our boats in Poole Harbour and at sea. If you wish to work towards a Safety Boat qualification and volunteer for us we would really like to hear from you.
Joining Poole Sailability
We regard ourselves as a mixed ability sailing club, and so volunteers are also invited to make a small annual contribution towards the running of the club.
All volunteers will be asked to undertake a check by the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS), which is free of charge, as required by our safeguarding policy.
If you are interested in becoming a volunteer email us at volunteering@poolesailability.org.uk
