WHAT WE DO

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Sailing Lifts Your Spirits gives first time sailing experiences to our community of Healthcare workers and First Responders at RBYC. 

We promote sailing for your wellbeing, but it's not just us that think it has benefits.  We are proud ambassadors for the 5 Ways to Wellbeing Program, something that the Royal Melbourne Hospital and the NHS UK have researched and developed.

Get onboard, it’s easier than you think to: 

1. Connect 
2. Be Active 
3. Keep Learning 
4. Be Aware
5. Help Others 

This makes us better able to withstand the challenges that life throws at us all. 

Come sailing and do all 5 at the same time.

During the free 4 hour sailing experience, participants will learn from experienced sailors about the multiple pathways into recreational and competitive sailing, helping to break down the common misconception that sailing is elitist.

Healthcare workers and First Responders are massively over represented in work-related mental health conditions, including acute issues like PTS and PTSD and too often ending in self-harm. Adventure sports and Sailing in particular are well proven to be beneficial in building Resilience. Sailing Lifts Your Spirits offers this group their first sailing experience at Royal Brighton Yacht Club. 

The Australian Government defines First Responders as..  "highly skilled men and women who deliver the initial response in emergency situations, interacting with people and the forces of nature in extreme circumstances. Incidents requiring emergency response often involve serious injury or death, or a threat to life, safety and property. The term 'first responder' most commonly refers to professionals such as paramedics, police officers, fire fighters and other emergency personnel trained to provide assistance in time-critical, often life-threatening situations. It may also refer to individuals who perform those functions in a volunteer capacity and emergency control centre workers." 

We also recognise the critical work done by Frontline Healthcare workers and invite them to join us and gain the benefits of Sailing Lifts Your Spirits.

Our Healthcare workers and First Responders have had a torrid few years with:  Covid and Bush fires and Floods.  They are more than twice as likely to suffer from work-related mental health issues as the general population.  From PTS to PTSD to self-harm. They put themselves on the frontline. We want to say thank you, but, more importantly want to give them some tools to keep themselves healthy.

Jacqueline Blonik ~ St Vincents Hospital, Melbourne 

Health care workers are at the front line of dealing with types of stress that staff in other organisations do not normally experience. 

Although highly resilient and ‘emotionally athletic’ people, there are times where critical incidents or the continued exposure of stress does impact. 

It is well documented that cumulative stress results in lower levels of physical and mental health and job satisfaction. 

“Sailing Lifts Your Spirits” is a targeted initiative in recognition of front line workers and a valuable remedy to the human cost to caring.

The opportunity to be invited onto a beautiful boat and to learn the fundamentals of sailing on your time off is truly a special and unique experience. 

Leanne and Gordon are consummate hosts who are genuinely interested in our frontline workers and are committed to sustaining them in the vital work they do for our community.

I have had the pleasure of being their guests on and off the water.  The experience was truly healing and rejuvenating. 

Care for the care givers is what Sailing Lifts Your Spirits is all about and I can’t wait to sail on Caprice again with my fellow health care workers.

Warm regards

Jacqui 

Jacqueline Bloink | STAR Program Manager | Workplace Wellbeing Program Manager
St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne | 172  Victoria Parade,  East Melbourne VIC 3002     

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What an opportunity we had yesterday. Thanks to Leanne and Gordo from “Sailing Lifts Your Spirits” for such an amazing uplifting and energising afternoon out on the water. 

They are so generous with their time, passion for sailing and what it can offer for peoples health and well being, particularly mental health. 

We’ve been riding the “COVID wave” as health care workers for Alfred Health, but literally riding these waves today was cathartic and re energising. 

Thank you. 🙏🏻.
You guys are are truly inspirational!
#sailingliftsyourspirits #mentalhealth #mentalhealthawareness #healthcareworkers #positiveenergy