Our asc portland STories
Summer Aiming High Sessions at ASC Portland
Young people with SEND had the exciting opportunity to get involved in even more water sports this summer, with our Aiming High Summer Camp.
Our Aiming High programme aims to break down barriers and allow young people with SEND to get out on the water in a way that suits them. We run sessions every Sunday morning where young people get involved in sailing, kayaking and SUP as well as building water confidence with games and beach trips.
Throughout the year we offer 170 spaces to young people to attend the Sunday morning sessions at a subsidised rate to make the sessions even more accessible. We have often had interest in running an Aiming High holiday club, and we’re proud to say this year we were able to make this happen!
For a week in August, we offered 5 half day Aiming High sessions that were available to any young person with SEND. We saw many of our regular Aiming High participants join in the sessions but also welcomed some new faces who are now attending Sunday sessions! We ran the sessions in partnership with ASCape to enable us to reach more young people with SEND in the local area. Throughout the week participants got involved in Funboat sailing, keel boat sailing, kayak adventures and exciting Mega SUP games.
All our Aiming High sessions aim to improve young people’s lives and help them develop positive character attributes such as confidence, independence and teamwork.
Here’s some feedback from our Aiming High Sessions:
“Your team of instructors have genuinely added to and improved my daughter’s life. Her confidence has soared. Her social skills dramatically improved. Her love of the sea intensified, and her independence blossomed. Thank you” – Parent of Aiming High Participant.
Do you know a young person with SEND who would love getting out on the water and benefit from these sessions? Reach out to your local ASC Centre to find out more.
by Holly Jones, Senior Instructor at ASC Portland
Holly studied marine biology and oceanography at university and has experience working in marine conservation and scientific research. This allows her to give the students a thorough insight into the field and answer lots of the questions they might have during the sessions. She is passionate about showing young people the incredible biodiversity we have here in the UK and why it is important to protect these areas. She hopes this programme will encourage young people to take an active role in combating environmental issues.
