Mental health support is plain sailing for Menai Straits Heritage Sailing group

Brought up in Beaumaris on Anglesey in north west Wales, Henry Chesterton was regularly out in a boat with his father from the age of three. With 30 years as an occupational therapist behind him, he’s now perfectly placed to provide social prescribing services to disabled adults. Henry’s project is a bit different to most, though. He and his team take disabled adults and young people sailing on a series of four beautifully restored yachts. 

It isn’t only about sailing though.  

This local heritage project invites local people to join their ‘shed’, bringing together a wide group of people who work on or around the boats. The idea for the project began during Covid when many people experienced social isolation and mental health issues. With support services inundated and unable to cope with referrals, a local heritage project which also supported inclusion, mental health support, and skills development leading to employment opportunities ticked many boxes.  

In the preceding years all 17 Menai Strait One Design boats which were designed by a local naval architect and built at Gallows Point in the Menai Straits between 1937 and 1952 had been tracked down. They all still exist, and are probably the oldest complete fleet of One design yachts in the world. One was found on the Thames, another was being used as a hen-house in Barmouth, while a third was a fishing boat in Lindisfarne.  

Five of them have now headed back to their original berth by the Menai Straits. Henry said: 

“Just sitting on a boat has physical and psychological benefits, and taking an active part in sailing magnifies those. Pulling the ropes to manage the sails and lift the anchor boosts physical strength, while learning how to sail boosts cognitive skills. 

“Once on the water, the benefits are even greater. Exeter University research showed 20% less depression in people who live or work in or on water. Competent sailors can race the boats, with all the benefits that competitive sport bring, while being part of a team sailing a boat, and engaging with the wider sailing community, bring big social benefits.” 

The shed welcomes around 25-30 volunteers on a regular ad hoc basis with a further 20 or so supporting people on the water. 

 “We have a whole community working in our boat shed. No-one should feel that they can’t be useful, whether it’s on the water, or in the shed. Even if their main boat-building expertise is to make a cup of tea for the marine engineers – everyone is welcome.” 

Protecting the unspoilt environment of Anglesey and the Menai Strait is a priority. Being sailing yachts, the Project’s boats have little or no negative impact on the environment. The charity has robust environmental and recycling policies in the shed, and choose to work with ethical companies as far as possible. Recycled wood is used for mending the boats, or wood from growers who have a strong re-growth policy. 

Menai Straits Heritage Sailing take up to 100 people sailing each season, delivering quality experiences to small groups. They receive social prescribing referrals through various partnerships, working with individuals with mental health issues and dementia, or disabled, marginalised or isolated people. This year, they’ll also be taking young farmers groups sailing, scouts and cub groups, the Wilderness Tribe men’s mental health group, and the whole team from a north west Wales GP practice. 

The charity has benefited from support from Medrwn Mon and Cymdeithas Elusennol Ynys Mon, who with other benefactors have funded a recently completed apprenticeship in marine engineering.  

“Polly, our apprentice, gained skills for life, and a fabulous job at the end.” 

Cwmpas Social Business Wales consultant Rob Hughes supported Menai Straits Heritage Sailing through their application for charity status.  

Henry continued: 

“Off the back of that, we were awarded funding by the Heritage Lottery Fund, and additional funds which Rob advised us on. 

“He was also instrumental in supporting us through a range of governance issues which we would have had no knowledge of. 

“There’s a lot of nostalgia in this project, and we’re aiming to get all 17 of the yachts on the water. We’re also working to offer environmentally friendly commercial sailing trips in the stunning Menai Straits to visitors to Anglesey. 

“We’ve been fortunate. People enjoy sailing with us, and keep coming back, but it takes a lot of hard work.  

“What have I learned through setting up this project?  

• That involving the community from the beginning means that they support you, as you’ve built their needs and thoughts in right from the start. This engagement and consultation remain at the core of what we do. 

• That it’s important to take small steps, and grow slowly. 

• To break down what you’re going to need: income, policies, good trustees. 

• That you need to have people around you who are respected, some with a business mindset. 

• To play to your strengths.  

• To ask for support from people who know what you don’t know: Cwmpas’s Social Business Wales advice has been fantastic. 

• That it’s great to have a go and see if your idea is viable or not, but it’s important to be realistic: if it doesn’t work, get out early. 

• Not to try too much new stuff – just make it bigger. 

“As hard work as this project is, I have no regrets whatever.  

“I’ve watched someone who was very agitated to the point of trauma sit on a boat and watch a sail for an hour and a half, and end up calm and tranquil. 

“I’ve smiled as an elderly man with a brain injury remembered his old skills and sailed a boat for two hours, being fully engaged for the first time in years. 

“Those moments remind you that sailing can bring pleasure to people whose lives don’t hold much pleasure any more. 

“When you get to share in those moments, it’s all worth it.”