Volunteering with Blackwell Sailing is rewarding, fun and a fantastic way to give something to your community. We rely very much on the goodwill and commitment of our volunteers.

Blackwell Sailing’s team of dedicated volunteers enable many sailors with disabilities to experience the same exhilaration, enjoyment and confidence building felt by all sailors. It is all about sharing what we know, giving praise, prompting and encouragement – mostly to people with learning disabilities – and having a lot of fun. We also enjoy some social occasions.

Under the supervision of Jonny Cormack and other RYA Senior Instructors, volunteers facilitate evening and daytime sailing sessions from April to October, teaching and reinforcing skills already learned. The charity also provides opportunities for sailing members to pursue other outdoor activities and all activities are supported by volunteers. Approximately 35 volunteers are involved in various roles, including sailing/canoeing sessions, boat maintenance, residential holidays, leading winter walks and fundraising. Their contribution is essential to the running of the charity. We value our volunteers highly and appreciate all their many and varied contributions.

Current Volunteer Update

We are aware that many regular volunteers will have changed circumstances as we approach the 2023 season. We know some are unable to return to Blackwell Sailing, while others can’t wait to return. Also, we would like to invite back previous volunteers who happen now to be more free than they were before the pandemic, as well as all our regular volunteers preparing to return as we welcome you back.

All our situations are different, and so we need to update our records as we begin to sail again. To do this it would help us all greatly if you could email with the following information for us to collate, and in the following order please, by the end of April:

1. Your name.
2. If you are able to return to being a volunteer or not.
3. When you hope to return. E.g May, June or July.
4. Preferred day of the week.
5. Regularity, e.g. every week, fortnight, month.
6. If you are prepared to share a boat, or prefer a different role at this time.
7. What current qualifications you hold (Sailing, Safety Boat, First Aid etc.) and dates they need renewing. (Please note an ‘AI’ certificate is only valid for 5 years)
8. Training. How prepared are you for training and what training needs you have.
9. DBS check – information re level, date and renewal.
10. Any other update that Blackwell Sailing needs to know as we plan for the sailing season ahead.

This seems a lot, (and some of it we already know) but we would really appreciate all the information from every volunteer fresh so we can plan for the season ahead. Thank you advance for sending your email update. We look forward to having you on board again as we serve our valued guests.

How to become a new volunteer

Please contact us! After a brief discussion we can explain how we operate and how you might fit in. We will be able to answer any questions you might have and alert you to possibilities.

Contact Us:

Jonny Cormack

015394 45333

Cockshott Wood, Glebe Road, Bowness-on-Windermere LA23 3HE