Our values

Mission statement and project values

To enable people with varying disabilities to enjoy sailing, learn new skills and so enrich their lives where many people feel that a disability precludes them from taking part.

All of us at some stage in our lives will come in contact with people living with a psychological or physical impairment. People with impairments have the same rights as us to enjoy life to the full and gain confidence and a sense of achievement. The Woolverstone Project aims to play a vital role in meeting these challenges.

Come sailing with us

The Woolverstone Project provides sailing opportunities and tuition for those with disabilities with sailing throughout the year at Alton Water and during the summer months at Woolverstone on the River Orwell.

Volunteers are on hand to take the sailors out on the water, help the sailors in and out of the dinghies and to provide refreshments during the sessions.

Why not come along and see what we do at one of our open sessions on a Monday morning. See the Calendar link for the times we sail.

Our boats

All of our boats are specially adapted to be accessible to anyone, whatever their disability.

At Alton Water we have a fleet of 23 accessible dinghies. These include Access 3.03s, Access 2.3s, Challenger trimarans and two RS Ventures. Follow the link to ‘Our boats’ under the ‘Sailing’ link above to find our more about all our boats.

At Woolverstone we have two boats – a
Sonar and a Wheelyboat. With the Wheelyboat, wheelchairs can be wheeled straight on – no need even for hoisting.

Woolverstone Project Sailing

At Woolverstone, on the River Orwell, we sail from the 1st of May until the end of September every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Using a Sonar and a Wheelyboat we take sailors out on the water. Carers come sailing with the group.

At Alton Water, which is a still water reservoir, there is an open session every Monday morning of the year, except Christmas week, January and Bank Holidays. From May until the penultimate week in September, there is an open youth session every Thursday evening after school.

Sessions may be cancelled at short notice if the weather is poor. Call 07375 915777 on the morning of any session for a recorded message giving details of whether the session is to be run that day.

Volunteer with us

We are always looking for volunteers to help the sailors before, during and after their time on the water. You don’t need to be an experienced sailor to be able to help us – enthusiasm is the principal qualification!

At our open sessions on Monday mornings volunteers help to rig and launch dinghies and help the sailors in and out of the boats. Some also provide welcome refreshments to sailors and carers. We operate all year round at Alton Water, so why not come down and see what we do?

Experienced sailors are also able to sail with the sailors. Safety boat drivers are always welcome as well to help us provide full safety cover at each session.

Support us

If you would like to make a donation to support our work, then please use the button below. This will take you through to PayPal donate where you can make a donation by card directly to us.

Do let us know on info@woolverstoneproject.org.uk if you would also like us to add you to our mailing list. Alternatively, just choose the ‘Join’ link above to add your information.