Residents at Old Charlton House recently sailed into the open water off the coast of Cowes and East Cowes. The charity Cowes Sailability, in conjunction with WetWheels based in Hamble, provide specially adapted boats and trained volunteers to make it possible for people with complex needs to have a rewarding sailing experience. Wheelchairs are tethered to the floor of the boat, which means that residents with limited mobility are able to enjoy heading out to sea. The sea was choppy, and the boat travelled quite fast, which meant that the water was being thrown over everyone on board. Residents did have waterproof ponchos on, but anything not covered got drenched! Some of the residents had been sailors in their lives before Old Charlton, and this provided them with an opportunity to relive some of their past. 
Activities Coordinator, Debbie Webb, says:
“We like to ensure that all residents are offered as many opportunities as possible for life enrichment. We thank Cowes Sailability, in conjunction with WetWheels, for allowing our residents the opportunity to enjoy some time at sea”.
Resident, Jim, was a bit reticent before he went as he was unsure what to expect. Afterwards, he said:
“I had a wonderful time, it was fabulous, thank you to everybody who helped and I really want to go again”.
How nice for the residents, a day to remember for sure.