HEALTH & WELLBEING Making the Right Turn by Roy Newport


Further Information If you know anyone that could benefit from what Turn to Starboard offer or you can help in any way please contact us on 01326 314262, email info@turntostarboard.co.uk or browse our website:www.turntostarboard.co.uk.


T


urn to Starboard is putting former members of all three services through their Royal Yachting Association (RYA)


qualifications with support from RAFA and Help for Heroes.


New recruits are always welcome! As a registered charity it is our aim to provide RYA courses to support Armed Forces personnel, both retired and serving, affected by military operations. Our focus on reintegration, re-engagement and providing tangible experiences, expert training and career building opportunities all in a supportive and unique environment. Turn to Starboard offer funded places for wounded veterans to achieve their commercially endorsed Yachtmaster Offshore qualification with a job at the end of the process with one of our international sponsors. Families can be included too, as are other courses and opportunies and covered later on.


How it all began Turn to Starboard was created from the personal experiences of its founder, Squadron Leader (Rtd) Shaun Pascoe. Shaun served on numerous tours during his sixteen years in the RAF, including Kosovo, Sierra Leone, Iraq and repeatedly to Afghanistan as Officer Commanding (OC) of the Medical Emergency Response Team (MERT). MERT is a medical team that flies forward using the Chinook aircraft to retrieve those significantly injured at the point of wounding; often in extremely austere conditions, under heavy enemy fire. The high-intensity nature of his operational work meant the transition on coming home


42 Envoy Autumn 2015 www.raf-ff.org.uk


became an increasing challenge. Shaun found it difficult adjusting to normal life, he felt isolated and found it difficult to share his experiences, even with his loved ones.


Shaun and his team are a group of Yachtmasters and volunteers; civilian, ex- service and serving. Most of us know what it is to return from military operations and the challenge this transition can impose on us. Those that have experienced hostile conditions on deployed operations often have difficulty readjusting to 'normal' life. It is hard for these individuals to share their experiences, even with their loved ones, the same cannot be said for Armed Forces personnel in a group. We have witnessed time and time again that it is often easier


to share experiences with others who have served, by grouping these individuals together, we are simply allowing them to share their experiences and begin their journey of readjustment by providing internationally recognised courses we are also able to support these individuals with excellent career building opportunities, setting them on a more positive path for their future.


Turn to Starboard has experienced significant growth in the last year. As well as the Yachtmaster development route we also provide Families sailing, RYA Competent Crew and Day Skipper courses and experiences on our 92ft Schooner ‘Spirit of Falmouth’ a gift from The Princes Trust. Spirit can facilitate 12 participants.


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