Objectives

GRM were tasked to create and deliver a sailing training programme in Oban to support young people, aged 18 to 35, who had been impacted by Covid-19 and lockdown. The project aims were to create funded programmes to support participants in recovering from the pandemic and provide invaluable life skills and sailing training from skilled professionals.

Strategy

• Create and develop brand for training programme.

• Plan and develop training programme, ensuring participants' emotional and physical support needs are met.

• Develop PR, communications and social media strategies to advertise the programme to form a suitable applicant pool to select participants.

• Identify key bodies and organisations to form partnerships and sponsorship of the programme.

• Deliver week-long training programmes through the Scottish Isles, providing training, support and education to participants.

• Capture content showing the programme to create narrative illustrating the positive progress and growth of the participants.

• Provide support for participants after the race and work to develop opportunities for career pathways with key partners.

Outcome

GRM led a highly successful and uplifting training programme in Oban, providing 80 young people with a life-changing experience, support and world-class training.

Creatively GRM worked to develop a strong iconic brand for the training programme and related promotional material. This coupled with their social media and PR campaign created a strong pool of applicants from across the UK and significant interest within the sailing community. The team then created eye-catching branding for the boat and supplied the crew and participants with top-of-the-range uniform and sailing gear for the programme. Our expert team were on hand throughout the programme from start to finish capturing quality photography and video content, from shoreside to stormy ocean conditions, to showcase the journey and development of the participants throughout. This was then used to great effect across social media and the press, attracting significant regional and national coverage.

GRM also managed the project from start to finish, from route and activity planning and coordination to health and safety and candidate selection, mentoring and support no job was to big or small. GRM brought in a series of vastly experienced offshore racing professionals to provide training and guidance onboard the sailing yacht, carefully selecting top athletes, Emily Caruso, Dale Smyth, Ineke van der Weijden, Dan Jones, Jackie Ford and Riccardo Rorato who served as ideal mentors and role models to participants and served as a catalyst for their growth and development.

GRM were also responsible for delivering sponsorship of the programme, identifying and partnering with a host of local and international businesses and organisations to support the programme's funding and activities. These included United Nations Association Climate and Oceans, Argyll and Bute Council, Ardmoor, Snap Innovations and the Scottish Association for Marine Science.

The team also played a significant role in supporting the participant's well-being and development, ensuring they had a strong support network and were looked after before, during and after the project; as well as creating a number of opportunities for participants' future development.

The project received overwhelmingly positive feedback from participants who all successfully completed the programme, delivering a life-changing experience with a great number receiving positive employment and career opportunities, such as Laura Hampton who is currently First Mate aboard Team UNICEF in the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race.

https://www.clipperroundtheworld.com/news/article/sailing-programme-provides-a-postpandemic-boost-to-young-people