Overview
Looking back at ‘24
New CatZero CEO Adrian Tallon writes about his first few months in post as the team prepares for the many programmes and sailing adventures planned for the coming year ...
Welcome to our Winter 2024 newsletter. This is our first newsletter since I joined the charity in June, and a lot has happened in that time. I would like to start this update with a huge thanks to everyone at CatZero for making me feel so welcome – trustees, the team, and our volunteers – and to partners and funders for being generous with their time.
My first six months have been overwhelmingly positive, and I have enjoyed getting to know the team here at CatZero, seeing first-hand the impact our programmes are having on our participants. My highlights have been getting to spend time with beneficiaries, hearing their stories and how we are helping them achieve their goals. I want to take a moment to mention Dave Bertholini here, my predecessor and co-founder of the charity, who has left a huge legacy in terms of the strong position CatZero is in, and the impact it has had – and will continue to have – on the lives of individuals and families across the Humber. Congratulations on your retirement, Dave!
Away from the charity, there has been a general election and a new Government taking over nationally. The Government’s new National Youth Strategy is being developed to ‘break down the barriers to opportunities for young people’, and in a recent press release the Culture Secretary, Lisa Nandy, stated: “This Government is committed to taking a bold, transformative approach to young people – one that walks alongside them and values their experiences and perspectives, rather than assuming we can simply swoop in and fix things for them.”
Those of you that know about our programmes, will recognise this approach reflected in CatZero’s ethos, so
we welcome the ‘bold and transformative’ endorsement!
More locally, the announcement of two new Mayoral Combined Authorities in the Humber region represents an opportunity for more local decision making around skills and employment, among other areas, and I believe CatZero is well-placed to support both MCAs with their approach to preparing people with the skills needed to move into, and stay in, meaningful employment.
There continues to be huge challenges facing our participants, with levels of economic inactivity higher across Yorkshire & the Humber than almost all other regions in England, so we were delighted to have been awarded National Lottery funding towards eight of our personal development programmes. These will be delivered across the Humber region over the next two years. While this does not meet the full costs of delivering
Adrian, left, at Hull Marina with Dave Bertholini.
Participants on the Goole programme.
these programmes – we need to find match funding – it gives us a great platform to continue our work, and will have a huge impact. This represents a vote of confidence by the National Lottery in the work we do, and we are grateful for their ongoing support.
It has been great to meet so many of our funders and supporters, some of whom have been with us since day one, and we truly appreciate their backing. Our ambition is to continue to grow our Full Families programmes, which help families approaching crisis and has such a profound impact on so many of the families we work with, improving physical health and building resilience, and in some instances no longer requiring any social services involvement.
Of course, all of this requires continued support from a wide range of funders, and we thank those that help us to make this happen. If you want to find out more about how you can support our work, please get in touch.
Using funding provided by Sport England’s Movement Fund, in 2025 we will be able to provided opportunities for our families to access physical activity provision in their local areas. For many, cost is one of the biggest barriers to accessing sport and physical activity, so through this funding we will be able to remove that barrier for our families, enabling them to be more active, with all of the benefits that come with that.
As I write this, the boat undergoing its annual refit ahead of what is set to be our busiest year of sailing yet. As well as our programme sails, 2025 sees exciting fundraising sails to Norway, a Dutch Dash, and a Fastnet sail, so if you are looking for some adventure or a new experience,
please get in touch! These sails raise vital funds for the charity, enabling us to continue to support communities across the Humber.
I would like to make a special thanks to our Director of Sailing and Skipper Danny Watson who undertook a gargantuan ‘150km in a Day’ running challenge, which raised over £40k for CatZero (see page 5). Well done, Danny!
While 2024 has been a busy and impactful one for CatZero, 2025 promises to be even bigger and better, and we are looking forward to recharging our batteries over the Christmas period before hitting the ground running in the new year. I hope our friends and partners across the region and beyond can do the same, and from everyone at CatZero I wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Best Wishes, Adrian
Adrian congratulates participant, Nikita.
The boat came out of the water last month, for maintenance.
Sailing
Boat team clocks up a new Norway adventure
THE calendar year saw a solid programme of sailing for the CatZero yacht, as the team ventured out with participants, corporate clients, and adventurers.
The two Dutch Dash sails were as popular as ever, so much so that a third has been added to the schedule for 2025, and the boat also clocked up three corporate taster sails and nine corporate day sails during the season. These sails are all fantastic fundraisers, paid for by supportive businesses and each offering their own unique chance for publicity.
Throughout the year, the usual taster sails for participants on our programmes took place, along with five participant long sails, averaging around seven days each. These trips offer people the chance to experience something entirely new while, first and foremost, building confidence and improving team-working skills.
The Rolex Fastnet fundraising race was absent from this year’s schedule, which is usual as this is a bi-annual date on the sailing calendar. For 2025, the Fastnet is back on the schedule with team spaces already filled, bar one. Keep an eye on our social media channels when the race takes place this year, to follow the crew’s progress.
A Norway adventure is no stranger to the CatZero sailing team, being a long-time trip for Hymers College. With five voyages already under their belts, our crew is well versed with the North Sea route to this part of Scandinavia, and the fjords around the Stavanger area. In 2024, the first
Norway fundraising sail was offered to the public, a 12day adventure starting and ending in Hull. This proved to be so popular, there are now two public Norway sails taking place in the coming year.
Forces’ veteran and former CatZero veterans’ programme participant, Aaron Tough, who took part in the sail, commented: “I was in the Army for 10 years and have since been diagnosed with adjustment disorder, so this sail was a really big thing for me.
“It was a bit rough, but the weather made it fun and exciting, and when we arrived in Stavanger I was blown away by the incredible views. It was one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen.
“The trip is definitely for anyone, not just people with sailing experience. There were people on there who had barely set foot on a sailboat before, but there is no pressure for anyone to do anything they can’t or don’t want to do. Everyone was amazing and I felt very safe and supported the entire trip.
“Now I can’t get enough of sailing and have been well and truly bitten by the sailing bug!”
Director of Sailing at CatZero, Danny Watson, said:
“Building on the successes of our school trips to Norway, we opened this route to the general public this year. In addition to the fantastic adventure it offers, a bonus is that clients are supporting a great social cause, with any funds raised underwriting CatZero’s future programmes.”
Next year is currently looking like the busiest sailing year to date for CatZero, so if you are a business looking to learn more about the charity on a taster or day sail, or a member of the public wanting to join the Fastnet, Dutch Dash, or Norway sails, be quick as places are filling up fast.
To find out more about the boat, its purpose, and sailing options, see www.catzero.org/sailing
Pulpit Rock, Norway.
UNDOUBTEDLY the most epic CatZero event of 2024, the CZ150, as it was dubbed saw our Director of Sailing Danny Watson run 150km in a day, to raise funds for the charity.
To celebrate 15 years of programme delivery, Danny ran the distance in a little under 24 hours, starting at Grimsby Dock at 4am on Thursday, May 2, 2024. He ran half the distance on the North Wall between Grimsby and Cleethorpes before taking a pilot boat across the Humber and completing the run around Hull Marina at approximately 3.30am, on May 3.
Through the ‘150km in a Day’ event, Danny hoped to raise at least £24,000 (worth £60,000 when match-funded) to work with an additional 12 families, or approximately 60 children, young people, and adults. Danny’s total funds raised came to just over an amazing £41,000.
Danny explained: “The need for CatZero is clear when you appreciate that in Hull and Grimsby alone there are 35,100 children living in poverty, 27,400 workless households, and 1,501 looked after children, at a total cost of £100 million (data 2023).
“As a co-founder of CatZero, I am hugely proud of what the organisation has achieved over the last 15 years, working with more than 2,000 people, helping many into stable and manageable situations, employment, training, volunteering, and education.
“I am passionate about the work we do at CatZero.”
Young Full Families participant Harrison said of the challenge: “I think Danny is bonkers! I think it is good that he is raising money for Full Families so that CatZero can help other people.”
Harrison was supported by the charity when he faced challenges at school that had a knock-on effect with his family. The CatZero team supported the wider family through school visits, regular meetings, and were able to
Charity Run
Incredible run raised thousands for CatZero
offer Harrison places on confidence-building activities, such as rock climbing and llama walking. He also took part in a sail on the charity’s 72-foot Challenge yacht, which he says helped him immensely with facing his fears and taking on new personal challenges.
The CZ150 saw a huge amount of funds raised and a substantial amount of support from businesses and individuals across the Humber region and beyond.
Key partners for the 150km challenge on May 2 were ABP, Sewell On The Go, Arco, Sewell Group, Begbies Traynor Group, Adams & Green, Beal Homes, New England Seafood, Wykeland, Northern Divers, Hull HBOT, Clipper, The Horncastle Family Foundation, Kildale Marine, Harris, Lacey, & Swain Chartered Accountants, J Marr (Seafoods) Ltd, and Workwear Pro Direct. All sponsors are listed on the back cover.
Many runners from these organisations joined Danny on the day, helping to create a wonderful, positive atmosphere throughout the event. For more information, visit www.catzero.org/150kmchallenge
Both short and long videos of the ‘CZ150’ are available on our YouTube channel: @catzerohumberofficial1871
Skipper and Director of Sailing, Danny Watson.
Full Families
Programme helps families navigate their challenges
CATZERO’S Full Families programmes have supported more than 170 families in recent years.
A rolling programme throughout the year, Full Families is funded in its various locations by The National Lottery Community Fund, Fishmongers’ Company, the Tribune Trust, and philanthropists across the region.
Full Families is currently run in East Riding and North East Lincolnshire, supporting people from Cleethorpes, Grimsby, Immingham, and Hull and the surrounding areas.
Across the region, CatZero has been using The Solihull Approach to parenting, having trained four staff in the method.
The Solihull Approach “supports mental health and wellbeing in parents, children, schools, older adults and high stress workplaces through an evidence-based model in training, online courses and resources”.
The CatZero staff trained in this approach work across all of the areas and run sessions as needed.
A further approach used is ‘Timeout for Parents’, which includes practical tasks and group sessions to help parents build strong and secure relationships with their children.
This year also saw the first trip to the boat by the families with a three-hour taster sail in the Estuary for children aged 10+. Three families attended and had a
fantastic time taking the helm, putting up the sail, and navigating their way around the Humber. A wonderful new experience for all of them, this is something we will continue to do during 2025, hopefully on a much bigger scale.
A first for the Full Families team as a whole, chef Simon Boyle of Beyond Food Foundation arranged for a family
to travel to London where they were treated to a tour of their building, along with some sightseeing in the city.
Moira Mann, Personal Development Team Member, who supported them on the journey, said: “They had a wonderful time, and had never been to London before.
“It was a great opportunity and a real treat for the young people in the family, who had worked so hard in the months beforehand.
“The youngster we had focussed on was having real problems at school, and was in danger of being excluded, but has since gone on to secondary and is doing brilliantly!
“This was a nice reward for all of them.”
Grimsby
The team at the time of writing were working with 20 families in North East Lincolnshire, all with very different needs. These range from problems with school attendance, behaviour in the home and school, debt, and struggles with parenting methods.
Grimsby Personal Development Team member, Steve Quinn, retired and has since moved closer to his grandchildren. We wish him all the best in his retirement. His role has been filled by Natalie Acton, who has seamlessly slotted into the team and has been working with families since the summer.
Hull
In Hull, the families programme participants enjoyed its first ever Princess and Pirate Party on the boat, with colouring, crafting, and much more. These young family members were too little to take on a proper sail but it was nice to be able to take them onto the boat in Hull Marina.
The Full Families team are currently working with 18 families and the library is in full swing, with Personal Development Team member Gail Howson the selfdesignated librarian! Books were originally donated by Waltham Leas Primary Academy, near Grimsby, when they had a refresh of their school books, and since then CatZero staff and East Riding Libraries have donated to the bookshelves.
Gail said: “It is a wonderful resource and the young people love being able to take them out from here. It also gives them something to do while they are in the office, if they’re not playing with toys, particularly some of the older ones.”
Having had a waiting list for most of 2024, the teams in both areas have worked hard to give families the support they need, and the waiting list is now much less. With our families programme continuing to have a big impact, our ambition is to expand delivery into Goole in 2025 and beyond.
Below, Harrison, centre, takes on a spot of cooking with his siblings in London!
Goole success with Drax
IN JANUARY, a group of 14 unemployed 18 to 40-yearolds from Goole completed the first 12-week programme run by CatZero, funded by the Drax Foundation.
Participants on the programme took part in a number of activities to improve their employment prospects, including increasing skills, improving physical and mental health and wellbeing, and overcoming barriers to personal development.
In addition to mock interviews, CV work, and qualifications – of which they gained a combined number of 60 during the 12 weeks, including first aid, and health and safety – the group also had the chance to sail on CatZero’s 72-foot Challenge yacht, first on a taster sail and later for an 8-day voyage to Holy Island.
This was the first time CatZero has worked with the Drax Foundation, who were proud to support the charity’s vital work for unemployed people in Goole. Staff at Drax were attentive to the programme’s outcomes and welcomed the participants to Drax Power Station as part of their development work, and were keen to take part in the programmes’ Café Day, held at Saltmarshe Hall.
Café days are an integral part of CatZero’s programmes of this type, allowing people to gain a whole range of skills, from planning and implementation to cookery skills, service, and front of house, and most importantly, working as a team and building confidence.
The participants organised the Saltmarshe event, planned the menu, arranged themselves into job roles for the event, and created a fantastic showcase for supporters of the programme. Visitors included the East Riding of Yorkshire High Sheriff Tina Cerutti, staff from Drax, members of the police, and organisations who have supported the CatZero team during their 12 weeks in Goole, including the YMCA, the Green Team, JobCentre Plus, and Goole Boxing Club.
Sergei, who was evacuated from Ukraine in late 2022, had almost two decades of experience in the construction industry but his qualifications are not accepted in the UK. He said at the time: “I am doing the programme to help me to improve my English and grow in confidence, so that I am better able to find work. I feel that it has helped me towards this goal.”
Sergei has since gone on to full time employment with Croda, also in Goole.
Jane Breach, Drax Community Engagement & Visitor Centre Team Leader, said: “CatZero does amazing work across the Humber region and the Drax Foundation was delighted to support the organisation in delivering a new programme in Goole.
“Initiatives such as these help to build skills, confidence, and increase employment opportunities for young people.
“I have no doubt that the confidence and skills gained by those taking part in the 12-week programme will boost the future careers of the people who took part.”
For more about the Drax Foundation, see www.drax.com/ about-us/our-communities
Children in Need
THE Children in Need programme at CatZero this year saw 19 young people, all aged between 10 and 12, take part in a number of activities during the summer period. Generally open to 10-15-year-olds, it was decided that the age gap between these children was too large and also needed to better accommodate young people making the transition from primary to secondary school, so it was adapted for 10-12-year-olds only.
This move has proven to be very successful, with the young people taking part this year having much more in common, given their closer ages, which has also made it easier for staff to provide appropriate activities.
The 2023, CIN programme was split almost fifty-fifty between Hull and Grimsby, with children crossing between the north and south banks of the Humber. This allowed them to meet new people from new places, and also offered the chance to experience a new town or city. There were also different activities available for them in each of the locations, giving the CatZero team plenty of options when planning the programme.
Visits included a trip to Welton Waters, where they completed water-based challenges and had lots of fun on rafts, a trip to the cinema, rock climbing at Rock Up, bowling, Rebound, Lincolnshire Wildlife Park, an exciting
Plenty of activities for young people this summer
Sarah Coulson, Programme and Implementation Manager at CatZero, said: “Mixing with people from different areas has given the children so much confidence. Yes, it can be daunting at the start but by the end, many have become great friends.
“These challenges encourage the CIN participants to becoming empowered, ultimately making positive life choices which will help them to overcome barriers now and in the future.
“All of these children come from challenging backgrounds so it is important that they are constantly supported and encouraged to improve their mental, physical and emotional health and wellbeing.”
During the summer, the team was also delighted that both Maria and Suzanne, Personal Development Team Members in Hull and Grimsby respectively, passed their mini bus training to drive a 17-seater bus. Now, half of the team can drive a mini bus, which widens the scope for activities across the region. The move not only allows CIN participants the opportunity for a broader range of activities, but people taking part in all CatZero’s programmes.
visit to the Yorkshire Air Museum, and llama walking with Humber Llamas.
A trip to Hall Farm Park.
Veterans
“A complete turnaround in my life.”
SINCE 2023, the veterans’ programme team have worked with Healthier Heroes and Veterans Launchpad, to offer fresh opportunities to veterans.
Alongside veterans in the Yorkshire and Humber area, people working with Healthier Heroes have been able to meet and mingle at four residentials taking place during the year. These have included:
- A three-day residential in the Yorkshire Wolds, inclusive of command task team-building activities, night hikes, communal cooking, games and water sports.
- A three-day residential in the Peak District, with codesigned activities from arts and crafts to caving.
- An eight-day voyage on the 72-foot Challenge yacht, CatZero.
- A three-day follow-up residential in the Yorkshire Wolds, celebrating personal and group achievements, and undertaking activities and future planning.
The veterans taking part have enjoyed a whole range of activities, from caving, to sailing, and plenty of walking, alongside weekly team meetings (group and individual), and support around personal challenges and goal setting. Throughout the programme, the veterans’ are supported with overcoming anxiety and social isolation, something common with people who have previously been in the armed forces.
Aaron Tough has been attending activities with the CatZero team since October 2023. He has since been hugely bitten by the sailing bug, and in addition to training as a paramedic, he is now looking at volunteering on the boat with CatZero!
He said: “Social inclusion is a massive reason for me being with CatZero. In a supportive way, they nudge you into getting back with people, teaching you to integrate again.
“My background before the Army was carpentry and
joinery, and I just thought I could go back to doing that. It turned out I was struggling with adjustment disorder, and I began really struggling with civilian life.
“I took a year out to focus on mental health and to work on low self esteem, and found CatZero. They helped me get onto a new path, as well as finding me a new passion: sailing. I love it. Any chance I get to do it, I am there!”
Kevin Naughton, a veteran on the programme through Healthier Heroes, said: “Being with other veterans, they understand the terminology, the language we use between us. They understand what it is like to go from the Forces to Civvy Street.
“The team at CatZero are so welcoming and supportive. Everything is tailored to you and it’ll change your life. They don’t judge you on your past, they just see you for the person you are, and that you are human. And I really enjoyed the sailing. I didn’t know if I would but it was brilliant and I wanted it to go on for another few days!
“I am now training in social care and I am looking forward to giving others the support that people have given me. If someone can relate to me, and I can make a difference, that would mean the world.
“From where I was in a programme last October to now, I’ve had a complete turnaround in my life.”
In addition to the residential programmes, CatZero has also been working alongside families at the Defence School of Transport, where they have essentially merged areas of the veterans’ programme and Full Families to support people in service. Sarah and Pete have worked with five families this year and have been given the green light to double this figure to ten in 2025. Next year, they will also work with families from the army reserve network, in addition to serving members of the Forces.
AN EMPLOYABILITY programme funded by the Government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund has seen one of the most successful outcomes of all 12-week programmes running at CatZero this year.
So far, the Development Team completed one programme during the earlier part of 2024 while another was ongoing we went to press. The first programme saw excellent results, as 15 participants signed up in April and by the end of the summer, three were in employment, seven in training or education, and two were volunteering regularly. That is a massive 80 per cent success rate on this one programme, a result that both the participants and development staff working with them were proud to achieve.
Of the 15, eight took part in an 8-day residential sail with Danny, CatZero’s Director of Sailing, and the rest of the crew, where they experienced a life-changing trip up the east coast to Holy Island and back.
All participants took a total of five qualifications, including first aid, food hygiene, health and safety, manual handling, and fire safety, a huge boost to their CV’s, which they also worked on with the Progressions Team, at CatZero.
Liaising with the participants throughout their programmes, the progressions team ensures that each person is heading towards their goal, whatever that may be, and that they have the support needed to help them to achieve it. They work on their CV’s, employment skills, and much more, and keep in touch with the participants once the programme has finished. The mantra “Once CatZero, Always CatZero” really comes into play here, as the door is always open if any previous participants from earlier in the year or from 15 years ago, when the charity began, need a chat, a bit of support going through a tough time, information, or just a cup of tea!
The UKSPF participants completed their cafe day at Hull
Employability
A fantastic result from enthusiastic participants
and KCOM.
Sarah Coulson, Programme and Implementation Manager at CatZero, said: “We were delighted with the results from this group of people, They really immersed themselves in all of the activities and were very determined to create a positive outcome for themselves on the programme’s completion.
“A big well done to them all, and we look forward to finding out more about their successes in the future.”
The second programme began in August and is due to finish before Christmas. With 13 people starting, one person has already moved into employment, while other outcomes will come through during 2025.
This group has already completed the same five qualifications as the first group, including first aid, food hygiene, health and safety, manual handling, and fire safety. Unfortunately, due to the boat being out of the water for winter maintenance, and because it is out of the sailing season, participants have not been able to head out for a long sail. Instead, they have being completing a programme with Humber Llamas, in Barton Upon Humber, helping to provide the charity with publicity materials and tools to make the llama experience more accessible for disabled young people.
Both groups have experienced a number of activities, including water-based sessions at Welton Water, rock climbing, how to batch cook, crafting, and more. These activities all help to broaden outlooks, build confidence, and increase personal skill bases.
We look forward to continuing employability programmes in 2025 and it is our hope that they are all as rewarding for our participants as these have been.
Masonic Hall, where they served full-cooked dinner to their guests, including supporters Connexin, Arco,
Employability
Collaboration with charities brings fresh opportunities
FROM April until July, the CatZero team ran a standalone programme in both Goole and Grimsby, for people aged 18-24 in Goole and over 18 in Grimsby.
With staff working flat out across the charity, sailing volunteer Steve Clayton, a former fireman, came in as an employee to help run the programme, working alongside Louise in the Grimsby team. Over in Goole, Neil and Luke mustered up the younger members of the two groups.
As with other employability programmes, the participants completed five qualifications, including first aid, food hygiene, health and safety, manual handling, and fire safety. They also worked hard alongside the Progressions Team, to prepare their CVs in readiness for the programme’s completion.
As has happened with other programmes this year, the participants had the chance to do activities in Grimsby, Goole, and Hull, with members of the Grimsby programme heading over to Goole and vice versa. This
allowed for them to make new acquaintances and to experience other parts of the region.
Participants also had the chance for a long sail on the CatZero yacht, taking the boat down the east coast of the country, towards Suffolk.
Towards the end of the programme, the two groups teamed up with a charity based in London, the Beyond Food Foundation, for a promotional event. In conjunction with Creative Start CIC, in Grimsby, who work with people in recovery, Beyond Food ventured up to North East Lincolnshire to help CatZero and the participants cook up a feast for dignitaries, supporters, and potential supporters at the Creative Start premises on Grimsby Dock. The purpose, to showcase how employability programmes such as those being run by CatZero and Beyond Food can not only make a vast difference to people’s lives, they can help to bolster employment in industry. In this case, the seafood industry, as there are hundreds of jobs across the Humber region for people looking to work in a variety of careers, from engineering and mechanics through to HR and other office-based roles.
Pete Tighe, Partnership and Development Manager for CatZero, stated: “Over the last few years, we have seen the benefits of both CatZero and Beyond Food programmes, and we thought it would be a great idea to bring the best bits together, to motivate and inspire people.
“There is so much you can do with food: it’s about healthier lifestyles, jobs, creativity, and then to have the potential for a life-changing sailing voyage at the end, that can take you away for eight days, it’s a real opportunity for people to make big changes to their lives.”
Both groups, albeit exhausted at the end of the day, had a fantastic time and relished the challenge, experience, and new opportunities it brought them.
CatZero staff Louise, Gail, and Steve with participant Lily, second from left.
Highlighting employment opportunities
A POPULAR seafood course, run in collaboration with CatZero, Seafox, and Made Great in Grimsby (MGIG), continues to draw participants from across the North East Lincolnshire area, with the goal of highlighting the roles within the seafood industry.
During 2024, the two organisations worked with 24 participants across the three courses held, with participants learning about the industry through visits to companies and businesses in Grimsby and the south Humber bank.
DFDS and New England Seafood were among the places the participants visited, allowing them to see the broad range of opportunities available in the local food sector.
All 24 of the participants achieved their food hygiene certificates, with several moving into work following the programmes.
The completion rate for participants is a total of 67 per cent, which when compared to other employment courses held in North East Lincolnshire is a substantial figure.
Participants have commented on the course, saying, “It’s great to get out and see different aspects of the industry”, and “I didn’t think I could see a role for me but there is so much more available”.
JobCentre Plus managers have stated that they are very satisfied with the course as they see the direct results to their clients, such as increased motivation, enthusiasm and, for some, an employment outcome.
Over the three days we offer participants a lot of content, including the chance to work on CVs and look at how their skills can be transferred into the workplace.
For the final two programmes this year the JobCentre sent an employee on the course, which allowed them to see the programme and service users from a new perspective.
Pete Tighe, CatZero’s Partnership and Development Officer, said: “Having the industry conversations face to face is of real benefit to the participants. It motivates and dispels myths about certain areas of work.
“We look forward to continuing the seafood courses alongside Seafox and Made Great in Grimsby in 2025.”
Funding for this programme was provided by The Fishmongers’ Company and City & Guilds.
Ready to take on the job market!
A FURTHER employability programme was run during the course of the year, partially funded by the Goole Fields Wind Farm Community Fund.
Wind farm operators RWE began making an annual donation to the fund circa 2014, allowing cash raised to support a whole range of projects benefiting the local community.
With Goole being one of the areas to benefit from this fund, CatZero was able to apply for and win enough to support the running of a further employability programme in the area.
The group took part in a whole range of teambuilding activities, including wheelchair basketball and a session at Fraisthorpe beach, where the participants cooked on the barbecue, played games, and enjoyed the fresh air.
They also enjoyed a trip to Hull Karting, where they took one another on in frenzied circuits before one was declared the winner.
Alongside these activities, the Progressions Team worked their usual magic, helping the participants to create fresh CV’s in preparation for job applications, practising interview techniques, and supporting completing qualifications.
Philip Taylor, a participant on the programme, said: “Best course I have ever been on. Thank you CatZero Humber for everything. You made it a challenge and took me out my comfort zone.
“The staff are all amazing. On most courses you see the staff as a tutor. But you are different, you want to know the individual also. It was awesome.”
Development Team Member Neil Davison said: “The group did a fantastic job and all worked really hard.
“We are continuing to monitor outcomes, which we will begin to see in full when we begin the new year.”
Feature
An absolutely amazing time on the boat!
WEATHER is notoriously unpredictable, with an August storm in the UK just as likely as a bright sunny day in the depths of winter. For the unique Humber-based charity CatZero, its sturdy Challenge 72 yacht was built with a massive capability for navigating the world’s vast waters, and the tail end of the recent Storm Lilian and its near gale force winds were a mere fun sail for this sturdy, 72-foot boat.
Sailing almost daily between March and October, the charity’s yacht acts as a tool for change for participants on its many land-based programmes. It is also utilised to raise funds for the charity during the sailing season, with corporate sails, public sails to the Netherlands and Norway, and, not for the faint-hearted, the Round the Island and Rolex Fastnet races all on the packed annual schedule.
Popular with sailing fans and supporters of CatZero is the ‘Dutch Dash’, a short hop from Hull to Scheveningen, in the Netherlands, a seaside town close to The Hague with long beaches, a famous pier and stunning harbour.
Danny Watson, CatZero skipper and the organisation’s Director of Sailing, said: “We have places for 12 people on our Dutch Dash sails, in addition to our highly competent and experienced crew members.
“This sail began with a welcome and orientation on the Thursday evening before setting off from Hull Marina on the Friday morning. We arrived in Scheveningen on the Saturday afternoon and enjoyed a lovely evening by the harbour before a good sleep and a morning of RYA Competent Crew training on the Sunday. After an afternoon of leisure, watching beach volleyball and kitesurfing, we set off on the Sunday, arriving back in Hull on the Monday.
“The Dutch Dash is a great trip, particularly for people who want to experience sailing and don’t have the time for a longer journey.”
The recent sail departed on Friday, August 23, on a gusty Humber Estuary as remnants of Storm Lilian passed over the UK. Retired seamstress Gill Weaver was a passenger with her friend Judith, her second sailing trip overall but her first with CatZero.
“It was a most exhilarating sail, starting with a meet and greet at a pub close to the yacht on the Thursday,” she said. “This was a great opportunity to get to know everyone, and our skipper Danny was really good at helping everyone to feel at ease.
“I was a bit green in the waves on the way there, due to high winds and choppy seas, but the crew were really supportive and couldn’t do enough to help me through it. The sea sickness was forgotten when we arrived in Scheveningen in bright sunshine – I was blown away with how beautiful it was, and how clean. The beaches were stunning, and it has a lovely café culture. It made me wonder why we travel so far to get to lovely beaches!”
Gill was delighted with the sailing on the return journey: “It was amazing; the sailing was fantastic. My watch was the early shift, as we did four-hour turnarounds throughout. When we arrived back in Hull I was shattered, but I had such an amazing time, it took me several days to come back down to earth from the adrenaline rush!”
Gill has since offered to volunteer with CatZero, a charity she believes makes a great difference to people across the Humber region. CatZero is dedicated to the support of the unemployed, young people, children and families, and Forces’ veterans, providing a number of programmes and sessions for this demographic in times of crisis. Their goal is to bring about lasting personal change for all its participants.
Gill finished: “I can’t tell you enough how brilliant this experience was, and it was great to be able to do something really fun and exciting knowing that you have contributed to people in need across the region.
“Danny and the crew were amazing, they really know their stuff, and if you had a question, Danny was always keen to answer. Nobody on the trip was negative and everyone was helpful and supportive. You really felt as though you were a pivotal part of the team, and it was a truly great adventure to be on!”
To find out more about the Dutch Dash and our other sailing opportunities visit www.catzero.org/sailing, telephone 01482 333303, or email: roanna@catzero.org for the next available dates.
How can you support CatZero? Funding
• Meet your CSR commitments
• Team-building events on land and water
• Volunteering opportunities for your staff
The need for CatZero’s services is as great as it has ever been and we are committed to delivering our programmes across the Humber region.
In addition to grants from major funders, we also rely on support from corporate partners and match funding to enable our critical work to take place.
Become a programme partner
Our programme partners are top level professional and corporate supporters who provide funding for programmes. They are offered fantastic opportunities in return, including yacht and media branding, programme involvement, corporate sail and land team-building and/or hospitality packages tailored to different requests.
Become a corporate partner
You could provide a truly life-changing opportunity for a participant, as a sponsor.
Corporate partners receive a team-building sailing experience and branding on the CatZero yacht.
Become a friend
Grants, fundraising, discounted services, individual fundraisers. Our friends are recognised on our website and are welcome to support CatZero in a range of ways.
To discuss the above opportunities further, please email: pete@catzero.org
Donate
For direct donations, visit www.catzero.org/supportus and click the DONATE NOW link.
Buy the gift of adventure
Looking for the perfect present? Buy a gift certificate towards one of our fundraising sails from the CatZero office TODAY! Contact roanna@catzero.org for details.
• Support our programmes
• Corporate development
• Make a difference
Funders, supporters, and partners 2024
ABF The Soldiers’ Charity
Adams and Green
Andrew Jackson Solicitors
Andrew Marr International
Aquavista
ARCO
Associated British Ports (ABP)
ASTO
B Cooke & Son
BBC Children in Need
Beal Homes
Beerhouse Self Drive
Begbies Traynor Group
Bernard Sunley Foundation
Broome Family Trust
CG Gibson Charitable Trust
Centre for Social Justice
City & Guilds
Clipper Ventures
Connexin
CPO
DRAX
East Riding of Yorkshire Council
Enrolled Freeman of Grimsby
Garfield Weston Foundation
GEV Wind Power
Goole Fields Wind Farm Community Fund
Gowling WLG Charitable Trust
Harris Lacey & Swain – Chartered Accountants
Healthier Heroes
Hesslewood Children’s Trust
Horncastle Family Foundation
Hull City Council
Hull & East Riding Community Trust
Hull HBOT
Humber Gateway
Humber Learning Consortium
Humberside Police & Crime Commissioner
Hutton Medical
IT@Spectrum
JobCentre Plus
J F Brignall Charitable Trust
J Marr (Seafoods) Ltd / Marr Sea
Joseph and Annie Cattle Trust
Joseph and Elsie Sykes Charitable Trust
Joseph Rank Benevolent Fund
JR Rix & Son
Jupiter IT Solutions
Kildale Marine
King Charles III Charitable Fund
KCOM
Liz and Terry Bramall Foundation
Lord Hanson Foundation
Made Great in Grimsby
Matthew Good Trust
Meals and More
Mother Humber
National Highways
Navigation Wealth
New England Seafoods
North Eastern Seafoods
Northern Divers
North East Lincolnshire Council
Old Hymarian Lodge
Pace Communications
P & O Ferries
Pacific AM
Point Engineering
People’s Postcode Lottery
Rotary Club of Howden
Royal Marines Charity
SCMS Benevolent Fund
Sewell Group
Sewell on the Go
Sir James Reckitt Trust
Smailes Goldie
Smith and Nephew
Souter Charitable Trust
Sudborough Foundation
Systematic
The Fishmongers’ Company
The Hawerby Trust
The National Lottery Community Fund
Triangle Trust
Tribune Trust
Trinity House Maritime Charity
UNITE the Union
Veterans Foundation
Wilkin Chapman
William Jackson Food Group
Workwear Pro Direct
Wykeland
... and the many more individual supporters and fundraisers. Thank you.