Nelson sails in on very special voyage

DISABLED CREW MAN TALL SHIP AROUND UK

Both organisations are committed to creating environments and opportunities which are open and accessible to all Elaine Draper

A MAJESTIC tall ship was welcomed to the Tyne as part of a special programme that allows disabled people to sail around the country.

The Lord Nelson, which was purpose-built more than 30 years ago to enable people with a range of disabilities to sail on it, berthed at Spiller’s Wharf, on Newcastle’s Quayside, on Saturday.

The vessel, operated by the Jubilee Sailing Trust, set out from London earlier this month and made its way up the east coast, before stopping first in Sunderland and then in Newcastle.

The trip is part of the Round Britain Voyage project, which is being run in partnership with Barclays.

The 50-strong crew includes a team of professionals as well as employees from Barclays and their ‘buddies’ who have disabilities. They have been working together to sail the ship, carrying out ‘watches’ and other duties, and learning new skills. Specially designed facilities on board include wide, flat decks for ease of movement, wheelchair lifts between deck levels, hearing loops, a speaking compass and hydraulic power-assisted steering to enable people with limited strength or mobility to experience the thrill of controlling a large sailing ship. The crew are also raising funds for a variety of charities, including Nancy Oldfield Trust, East Anglia Disabled Trust and the Heart Foundation. Duncan Souster, chief executive officer of the Jubilee Sailing Trust, said: “We are absolutely delighted to be working with Barclays on this ground-breaking initiative. It is great to see their outstanding and strong commitment to creating more diverse, inclusive communities and to building individual life skills. I am so impressed by the fundraising efforts of their staff to provide this very special opportunity to individuals living within their community.”

Elaine Draper, Barclays director of customer vulnerability and accessibility, added: “Both organisations are committed to creating environments and opportunities which are open and accessible to all – and this event provides a fantastic platform to do something on a national scale, but with local flavour, so that it resonates with the whole community.

“Accessibility, digital innovation and community engagement are integral to the way Barclays does business and this project has been a fantastic opportunity to bring colleagues together to build a sense of pride in what the bank is doing and the way we do it.”

Yesterday, the public got a chance to see the vessel, which is due to travel to Aberdeen today.

It will be navigating around the north of Scotland and down the west coast, before returning to London for the start of June.