Throughout November ASC Portland have hosted a new outreach project, working with individuals on Job Seekers Allowance.

Over five weeks students have been working towards a variety of RYA qualifications including; First Aid, Powerboat Level 2 and Assistant Instructor.

The programme is designed to help participants learn new skills outside a classroom setting, enabling them to develop their social skills and enjoy the outdoors in the cooler months. Projects like this illustrate the powerful role that sport and outdoor activity play in improving wellbeing.

“(The course has helped) My determination to wake up each morning, each day is very different from the last. I would just be job searching living a very monotonous routine”

Participants have left with multiple qualifications however the impact the course has had on their personal development is immeasurable.

“It’s made me more resilient to hard tasks”

“Helped me build resilience and confidence and helped me work on handling my emotions”

With connections across the watersports sector, the Portland centre team have organised interviews for the participants at local outdoor activity providers as well as at ASC. By gaining experience at a busy working centre the participants are in a great position to transition into employment.

“Yes it did opportunities to meet new people and build on my leadership skills and team management skills as well ask my speaking/instructor voice”

by Una Wood, Chief Instuctor for the Andrew Simpson Centre Portland

Una was taught to sail at an early age by her father. After years of teaching all over the world she’s settled in the UK and is now working at ASC Portland.