We set off first thing in the morning with our students full of excitement and anticipation for a very special day with Wetwheels. It may have been a grey and drizzly autumn day, but we were determined to make the most of our Young Mariner Day!A selection of Fifth Trust students were invited to spend the day with the Wetwheels team, enjoying the opportunity to learn new skills, discover more about boating and, most importantly, get out into the community and try something completely new.

When we arrived, the group split into two, with one group heading out onto the fully accessible Wetwheels power boat while the other stayed in the classroom to discover some new navigation skills and terminology. The classroom session was a great opportunity for our students to learn more about what it takes to be out on the water. They explored different navigation terms, learnt about safety onboard and discovered some of the technical details behind the boat. It was fascinating to learn how everything works and gave the students a great introduction to the practical experience that was waiting for them outside!

Then came the really exciting part – taking to the water! Our students had the opportunity to experience the boat for themselves and even take the helm as skipper. They had great fun learning how to manoeuvre the boat, with quite a few tight circles proving to be a particular favourite!

For our students, the day was about much more than simply enjoying a boat trip. Trying something new, taking control of the boat and learning new skills provided a huge confidence boost. Days like this also give our students the opportunity to get out into the wider community, meet new people and enjoy experiences that can support positive mental wellbeing.

And, of course, the feedback from our students said it all. They had a fantastic time, with many telling us that they would love to come back and do it all again!

We would like to say a huge thank you to the wonderful team at Wetwheels for inviting us along and making our students feel so welcome throughout the day. Their knowledge, enthusiasm and encouragement helped make it such a memorable experience. It was a brilliant day of learning, laughter, new experiences and a little bit of boat driving – and we think our students did an amazing job! Thank you, Wetwheels, for helping us make some fantastic memories!