The Cirdan Trust vessel Faramir came to Hermitage at the end of July; they report below on the trip: 

Cirdan, is a small charity that has been providing life changing experiences to the disadvantaged aboard its sailing fleet for nearly 40 years.  Obviously, the restrictions put in place with the pandemic put a halt to Cirdan’s operation in 2020 and it was only able to resume on Monday 19 July 2021.  The first group to be welcomed aboard was one of 10 voyages sailing back-to-back as part of Early Intervention Project working with young people who have experienced an episode of psychosis.  The project uses adventure therapy as a means of recovery for the young people and sailing with Cirdan not only provides adventure but the opportunity to develop social skills and teamwork, increases motivation and builds resilience.

The first group to sail with Cirdan since Covid hit, was a group of nine young crew aged 25 years and under who travelled from Cardiff with their clinicians, to join Faramir in Poole, Dorset from where they set off for a 6 day voyage to London.  They experienced the strangest of weathers from blazing sunshine and absolutely no wind to torrential rain and the most impressive electrical storm which messed with the boat’s wind instruments.  They arrived at Hermitage Moorings on Saturday 24 July and couldn’t help but be impressed by the position of their berth with its fantastic view of Tower Bridge.  Unfortunately, they couldn’t stay to enjoy it for long as their coach was waiting to take them home to Wales.   After a day alongside, Faramir welcomed her second EIP group, this time from North West Yorkshire.  Their leg of the journey will take them to Ipswich before Faramir continues on to Oban and then turns around and sails all the way back to Poole.

As with all Cirdan voyages, most of the costs are covered through charitable donations so the offer of a free berthing at Hermitage Moorings was very much appreciated but the support offered by the residents goes even further as being accepted and made welcome is an important part of the healing process in the mental health project.  We look forward being back at Hermitage again on our way back down the coast in September. Many thanks to the residents of Hermitage Moorings for the warm welcome given to Cirdan Trust’s vessel Faramir and her young crew.