Messing About In Boats.
Ratty in “Wind in the Willows” opined that “There is nothing — absolutely nothing — half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats.” and the Surrey Care Trust (SCT) proves just that. By engaging vulnerable people in nature-based activities, such as boating, gardening, and outdoor activities, the SCT seeks to help people combat multiple complex issues such as isolation, loneliness, poor mental health, unemployment, low skills, and poverty.
On 20th July, I joined two SCT volunteers and a team from the Surrey Probation Service on SCT’s workboat the “Swingbridge Endeavour”. The team from the Probation Service joined the boat to complete various nature-based projects as part of the “Community Payback scheme” – a court-ordered scheme where individuals complete between 40 and 300 hours of unpaid work to make reparations for crimes. The physical work, such as clearing wasteland, removing graffiti, and decorating community centres, not only benefits local neighbourhoods and the public, but also helps participants to gain new skills and to avoid re-offending.
Having embarked at Dapdune Wharf in Guildford, we sailed up the River Wey towards Burpham where the team had been asked to replace a fallen-down gate with a robust new post & rail fence to prevent cattle from straying onto the A3.
By the end of the day, I had equally acquired some new skills. Not only do I now know how to drive fence posts into the ground without bashing my fingers, I was also taught how to operate a boat lock safely and efficiently and I was even allowed to helm the boat parts of the way!
It was a hugely interesting and enjoyable day – a day which brought out the best in everyone. The benefits of the SCT’s work are clear to see.
