A young man in a blue raincoat at the wheel of a boat, with a grey sea behindA crew of service users recovering from psychosis and NHS staff have embarked on a life-changing adventure.  

The ‘Voyage to Recovery’ is a sailing trip run by the Cirdan Sailing Trust supporting people to access adventure therapy by living and working on a sailing boat.  

This summer, four members of staff from Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust (CNTW) and 11 service users embarked on the voyage from Whitehaven to Glasgow.  

The project aims to support people recovering from mental health difficulties by providing an alternative environment for them to learn new skills, grow in confidence and build relationships.  

A group of people in red raincoats and warm hats attending to the sail of a boat at seaThis is the fourth consecutive year CNTW has taken part in the voyage which has been made possible thanks to funding from the SHINE Fund, part of CNTW's charity.  

The trip enables participants to connect with others who have similar lived experiences of psychosis, which can be an isolating and stigmatising experience.  

One service user said: "We've been talking about psychosis and how it affects different people... By opening up and talking to people, it makes you feel more self-aware and makes you relieved that somebody understands it and what you've been going through." 

Another said: "Being on this sailing trip and being in the middle of the sea gives you such a nice open environment to speak about whatever you want. It gives you the freedom to open your mind, chat and decompress a bit." 

One crew member described it as a “once-in-a-lifetime experience". 

Senior Clinical Psychologist Louise Prentice said: "There aren't many opportunities like the Voyage to Recovery. It brings together so much in one week – challenge, purpose, connection, teamwork, self-growth and achievement. The immersion of the experience is what makes it so powerful.  

"It's such a privilege to witness service users transform over the week. Watching their recovery unfold in front of us is like nothing I've experienced in my whole career." 

Staff from the Trust’s Early Intervention in Psychosis (EIP) team and the At-Risk Mental State (ARMS) service are raising money to help SHINE continue to fund more trips in the future.  

They have been taking part in a range of challenges from cycle rides and sponsored walks to swimming and yoga classes.  

Donate on the Voyage to Recovery fundraising page.

CNTW Charity are also welcoming local businesses to support the voyage to enable more patients to embark on this life-changing adventure for years to come. If you are a business and would like to support in some way, please email marketing@cntw.nhs.uk.   

The SHINE Fund provides the extras that make a big difference to patient recovery. Since launching in 2014, SHINE has funded hundreds of projects, supporting patients with everything from exercise equipment and gardening tools to pet therapy and yoga classes.