learning the ropes

Thanks to a generous donation, children with sight loss can experience the joy and excitement of sailing the waters of Windermere.

Wooden Spoon Lancashire provided a £10,500 grant for a second-hand sailing boat for The Outlook Trust. The boat will give young people with visual impairments the freedom of sailing on Lake Windermere.

Fiona tells us about her daughter, Ellen, 17, who has been coming to The Outlook Trust for six years: “Ellen really looks forward to these weekends. She’s made friends and grown in confidence. She can relax here, and I know she’s safe.”

Ellen lost her central vision suddenly when she was nine, Fiona explains: “She has peripheral vision, so she can move around without a cane – but it’s a hidden disability, she doesn’t look blind.

“The volunteers and trustees are truly wonderful to give up their time and provide such interesting activities for youngsters with visual impairments.”

Ellen is the only child at her school who is visually impaired. She said: “Just being around other visually impaired children is great, and I’ve met my best friend here. We understand each other, and we can share experiences. It makes you feel like you’re not alone –because it is quite isolating when you lose your sight.

“One of the volunteers is also visually impaired, so it shows us just what we can do, and what we can accomplish. Getting out on the lake is always really nice. It’s relaxing to hear the movement of the water while we are on the boat.

“Getting out on the lake is always really nice. It’s relaxing to hear the movement of the water while we are on the boat.” Ellen

“I’ve never thought about going sailing before, and with this, I’ve picked up new skills. I have struggled with being social, so it’s helped with my confidence, speaking to the other young people, and speaking to the adults too.”

When Ellen turns 18, she is looking forward to being a volunteer helper for The Outlook Trust and share her knowledge and experience with the younger children.