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The DSA was established in 2005 and although we have been around for some 17 years, we are still a relatively well kept secret in the Bay, especially from those who would most benefit from sailing with us! So over the last three months we have been running a campaign to attract new members from across the Bay and beyond. We have engaged with many disability organisations, made contact with NHS surgeries and day centres and spoken to Wellbeing groups and Carers associations across the Bay.
A highlight of this campaign was our two day “Meet the DSA“ event which we held on 6 and 7 of August 2022, when we invited people to visit with us on our boats in the Torquay Town Dock marina, to meet with existing members and crew and hear more about the potential health and wellbeing benefits of sailing with us.
We were fortunate to have our esteemed Patron and round the world yachtsman, Sir Chay Blyth (CBE BEM), as our main host.
Fortunately, the weather was warm with bright sunshine and the event was a great success. We were able to greet and speak to many interested people over the course of the two days including the disabled, carers and potential new crew volunteers.
As a bonus, BBC Spotlight covered the event in their evening programme which certainly helped to further promote our presence throughout the Bay.
Happy holidays!
One couple from Manchester visited our stand on the first day and the wife, who is wheelchair dependent, was despondent because she was not able to take her wheelchair onto any boat, not even the ferries.
We invited her to drive her wheelchair onto our larger yacht, Freedom, using the bridge which we use for people with mobility problems. She was so delighted when she drove her wheelchair onboard with room to spare that they both joined up immediately and extended their holiday by a few days so they could come for a day sail, which they did a couple of days later and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. [SEE VIDEO OPPOSITE]
They waved goodbye to us saying that the DSA had made their holiday the best ever and that they would be back next year! We certainly hope they will.
