New Sailing Courses Offered To Aid Mental Health and Recovery

APRIL 20 2021 – PRESS RELEASE
LIMERICK MENTAL HEALTH ASSOCIATION

Groups of ten will sail on board the Ilen out of Foynes, with 10 dates available in May and June this year

LMHA has partnered with Sailing into Wellness (SIW) to offer sailing courses to help those in recovery from poor mental health to introduce a new Sailing into Wellness programme targeted at organisations working with clients in recovery and young people at risk, primarily those in marginalised communities.

“It was once said that the cure for anything is saltwater, whether that comes in the form of sweat, tears or the sea. We are very excited about the potential for this new Sailing into Wellness programme. Sailing into Wellness makes recovery about living. As an island nation we rarely look to the sea to help with our social and physical challenges. We are all equal at sea, together we face the same challenges, the combination of this and treating people with respect as equals provides a powerful environment for change.”

LIMERICK MENTAL HEALTH MANAGER, TRACEY LYNCH

Groups of ten will sail on board the Ilen out of Foynes, with 10 dates available in May and June this year. Organisations can book ten places on board.

This is experiential learning in its rawest form; the benefits go far beyond those of learning a new skill (Sailing). We help to build the life skills which are lost in poor mental health, such as communication, self -confidence, resilience, self-esteem and being part of a team. It’s been proven that even being close to the sea stimulates the production of serotonin and dopamine, which is good for mental health

LIMERICK MENTAL HEALTH MANAGER, TRACEY LYNCH

We are offering the opportunity to between 10 and 12 organisations, each doing a day with us Sailing on the Shannon. It really is a fantastic experience. This sailing program is an educational and therapeutic activity designed to inspire our communities. We support our participants to overcome both physical and mental challenges in an environment that is both exhilarating and therapeutic.

CO-FOUNDER OF SAILING INTO WELLNESS, MR. COLIN HEALY

Sailing into Wellness (SIW) is partnering with Limerick Mental Health Association (LMHA); both organizations are passionate professionals in the recovery and sailing sector. 

We will take the participants out of their normal environment and into one which inspires and challenges. We are truly fortunate that this programme is funded by the National Lottery funding which enables us to run a program on the Sailing ship Ilen out of Foynes Yacht Club this year. We are fully insured, and all staff are Garda vetted. We can have 10 clients on board plus our crew under Level 5 restrictions and we have a full set of Covid protocols in place.

CO-FOUNDER OF SAILING INTO WELLNESS, MR. COLIN HEALY

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Location: Ilen, Foynes Yacht Club.
Booking with: Tracey@Limerickmentalhealth.ie
Group’s size: 10

ENDS