The
Centre
AHOY
Borthwick Street
Deptford
London
SE8 3JY
15th July 2008
Dear Ahoy
It is with pleasure that I write offering Safer London Foundation's (SLF) support for your deserved nomination for a justice award - for outstanding contribution to tackling crime through the facilities provided by the AHOY Sailing Centre for the local community around Deptford, Greenwich and Lewisham.
SLF has a policy of inclusion and diversity and fully supports projects such as AHOY that have a commitment to reducing crime in London, more so supporting people who are at 'risk', including people from deprived and disaffected families as well as the disabled and excluded.
SLF have supported AHOY with funding on four separate occasions, the most recent being for two years, this recognises and encourages the projects sustainability. All of our supported projects have to meet our strict criteria and will follow a pre-determined monitoring and evaluation process; projects must meet funding deadlines and provide us with clear and concise outcomes. The current facilities that AHOY provide are of an exceptional standard and provide a safe, clean and structured environment in which people can enjoy the pleasures and disciplines around sailing.
Through the work undertaken by AHOY they have set standards and broken barriers. One example is the relationship built between the young people and the local Police through the committed involvement of the Safer Neighbourhoods Teams from both Greenwich and Lewisham Borough's. In an area where tension between young people and the Police is invariably high AHOY have changed where the young people now see the Police as friends and helpers rather than the 'enemy' which has undoubtedly had a significant impact on local community cohesion.
As an organisation SLF have had substantial contact with AHOY and this has included visits to their centre to meet the young people, training sessions, support at various charitable events, media events to launch Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA) support and other examples. One overriding factor within all of these is the polite and responsible manner in which all the young people behave. This undoubtedly stems from the example set by all those who work within at AHOY and the positive role models they present which is extremely important when working with young people.
Skyline House, 200 Union Street, London SE1 0LX
Tel: 020 7021 0301
Fax: 020 7021 0302
info@saferlondonfoundation.org
www.saferlondonfoundation.org
This is Samuel’s story
“My dad died when I was 4. 4 years later mum met Michael. Michael did something he shouldn’t and ended up going to prison. Shortly after he left I started misbehaving and was arrested for burglary. I was also expelled from school. I was referred to Greenwich Youth Offending Team for 2 years and was sent to a Referral Centre for 3 years, where I ended up mixing with the wrong people…
At 13 I was put into care for the third time and was put on an ASBO. As part of my community service I was sent to the AHOY sailing centre, which helps people like me. I didn’t want to leave, so I joined as a volunteer. It took my mind off offending and I got to see what life was really about, it weren’t about stealing or getting arrested it was to help others and get somewhere in life. Ever since I joined AHOY I haven’t offended or breached my ASBO. Now I am a full time student studying carpentry so I can study boat building.”
…Unless you want to join
him in helping others.
AHOY relies heavily on grants and donations to enable more disadvantaged young people and people with disabilities to benefit.
To find out how you can help call The Ahoy Centre 020 8691 7606
or email: admin@ahoy.org.uk
THE ADVENTURE HELP & OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUTH CENTRE
Borthwick Street Deptford London SE8 3JY
Billie Ashworth - aged 14
Joined: August 2007
Billie lived in Thamesmead with his mum and stepdad. A year prior to coming to AHOY his father passed away; which made Billie go off the rails and get into trouble with the police. Billie came to AHOY on a program organised by Greenwich Youth Offending Service during the summer of 2007. On the course, he achieved his RYA Powerboat Level 1 and 2 qualifications. He was so proud of these qualifications that he decided to sign up as a Volunteer at the Centre, so that he could continue his power boating. Billie came to AHOY on a regular basis and became a real member of the team. As with all volunteers, once he had joined, he had to show his commitment to the Centre by assisting in maintenance, cleaning boats, sweeping the yard and other jobs. He attended regular training sessions and started participating in sailing.
Suddenly, in December of 2007, his mum also passed away and he was put into care. AHOY didn't hear from him for a while and, in January, his school contacted AHOY and explained that he wasn't doing very well and was not responding to the curriculum activities. He was also truanting.
A partnership has been formed between AHOY and his school, which has given him the incentive to attend school on a regular basis. A plan has been agreed whereby over a 12 month period he will come to AHOY for 2 days a week. He will continue to develop his skills and gain nationally recognised qualifications, on the condition that he attends school on the other 3 days.
He has been attending regularly for 12 months...
In a few words, this is what Billie feels about the AHOY Centre: "I heard about AHOY from my youth worker; because I was getting so bored at home, which led me to cause trouble in my area.
"At first I didn't like the idea of coming down to AHOY and wasting a day that would have been better with my mates and causing trouble, but when I was actually there, it gave me a whole different perspective. I got told that you would learn to go speeding around the River Thames.
"My first day volunteering was maintenance; which was boring. I had to clean up, wash the boats down and sweep the yard, but at the end of the day I knew I was going to be rewarded with something good. I got to go out on a power boat which was amazing. It was a laugh and most of the fun was getting wet.
"AHOY has helped me and my behaviour. I have started to clear up my life, started going back to school and not hanging around the 'mates' that always got me into trouble. I started a whole new life thanks to AHOY; I am down here for work experience.
"Since I have been at AHOY I have achieved my VHF Radio licence, my RYA Power Boat Level 1 & 2. I'm not that keen on sailing because I prefer speed to slow, and sailing is harder work. I help by cooking for the Youth Group on the BBQ (you have to know how to cook!!!) and I have done maintenance and help launch the power boats and recover them, which is quite hard, but you soon get used to it. If you are lucky, you get to help out in the office on the computers; but don't get your hopes up high because it very rarely happens, but it's fun.
"Also, you get to make new friends like I did. You might be shy, but you end up having to work together, which makes you have to talk to people you don't know."
In a few words this is what the AHOY feel about Billie:
Billie is a pleasure to have around and is a real inspiration to all. Over the last 12 months, we have seen his life be turned upside down, yet still he has the courage to live life to the full. By volunteering at AHOY, he has set a positive example to both young people and adults alike. We hope that through building this partnership with his school, he will gain GCSEs, nationally recognised qualifications in water sports and build on his life skills, which will prepare him for his working life.
AHOY is a 'grassroots' project where children, adults and families can come to participate in activities that build confidence, self esteem and team building. At the same time, you can help others and gain nationally recognised qualifications.
Billie is just one young person at AHOY who volunteers to help others in the community. This case study is one of many that demonstrates what AHOY is here to do, and its pledge in delivering its aims and objectives.
Through the dedication and commitment of both staff and Volunteers, AHOY has achieved a lot. With the support of further funding and donations, we will be able to continue to offer more opportunities to more people, so that they can make a difference, not only to their lives, but to others as well.
Adventure Help and Opportunities for Youth
CASE STUDIES
Please take the time to read these hart felt stories of how AHOY has made such a difference to so many people's lives
Foundation Access, School of Supported learning, Lewisham College
This is the second year for this group of coming to the Ahoy Centre. We come for 7 days, one day per week, to learn all about rowing, sailing and power boating. This time we are training for our Sailability qualification. We are hoping to all get Silver. We look forward to our time at the Ahoy Centre all year.
Before our course starts we work with Thames 21, a brilliant charity involved with river clearing including the Thames River. So, for us we have a few weeks of working hard on our waterways, knowing that come spring time we’ll be starting at the Ahoy and actually getting onto the water itself instead of just wading through it!
Everyone loves going fast in the power boats! We’re also very pleased that we’ve managed to learn our knots and loads of nautical terms for parts of the boats too. Some of the students have enjoyed their time so much they are coming back as volunteers next year when they move onto other courses at college.
Drawn by Philip Price
David Glover
Community Services
Lifestyles Leemore Centre
29-39 Clarendon Rise
Lewisham
London SE13 5ES
direct line 020 8852 9761
fax 020 8297 2572
09 Nov 2007
Our ref Ahoy/01/letter.
Your ref Sarah Corcoran, Outreach Officer,
The AHOY Centre.
Dear Sarah,
I would like to take this opportunity to thank all at the AHOY Centre for a great day out, "Sailabilty" 8th October 07.
For many it was the first time we have been sailing/power boating and it gave us a real sense of adventure and personal achievement.
We were made to feel very welcomed and felt totally safe and secure. This was due to your staff and volunteers patience and understanding of our needs. The facilities are ideally suited for the our needs, with excellent disable access.
I know that our service user's really enjoyed the day out at AHOY. The experience was one that will be remembered for a long time.
I wish you the best of luck with you project and hope that we can repeat the event again.
Yours sincerely,
David Glover (on behalf of all our service user's)
Leemore Centre
david.glover@lewisham.gov.uk
An agreement has recently been reached with the management and trustees of the centre whereby employment opportunities are to be offered to serving prisoners to work at the centre on a voluntary basis to assist with general tasks and also to work alongside the young people. This again is a good example of breaking down barriers with those who are serving sentences and the opportunity to pass onto young people their experiences of the criminal justice system. Also for the serving prisoners to gain skills and improve their own self-worth prior to leaving prison in order to assist them in their re-integration into mainstream society.
I feel they are worthy of a Justice Award and fully support them in their nomination.
Yours Sincerely
Tony Shepherd
Chief Executive
‘ A Charity Changing People's Lives Through Sailing And Rowing ’