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East Coast Sail Trust

Adventure voyages on board the 27m (90ft) Sailing Barge Thalatta, for children 9 and over.

For over 50 years the East Coast Sail Trust has provided voyages onboard Thalatta for children and teenagers aged 9 and over, filled with exploration and adventure. In addition to the educational opportunities our voyages provide, children gain confidence and discover qualities of initiative and self-reliance, as they face the challenges that life at sea provides. Since 1966 over 10,000 children have benefited from this unique experience which enriches and remains with them for the rest of their lives. On board Thalatta young people can gain so much through living together, sharing responsibilities, supporting others, meeting new people and overcoming fears.

Your Group: Up to 11 children of either boys, girls or a mixed group, aged 9 and over. All children are to be supervised and accompanied by a responsible adult leader. Please remember that we are limited by licence to a total of 12 including leaders. Please note, Thalatta is not suitable for those with severe behavioural problems.

Who to contact

Name: Cheryl Varley
Position: Booking coordinator
Email: info@thalatta.org.uk
Website: https://thalatta.org.uk
Social Media: Find us on Facebook

Additional contact

Name: Mike Keeling
Position: Chairman of the East Coast Sail Trust
Email: mike.keeling@thalatta.org.uk

Where to go

Name: Ipswich Haven Marina
Address: New Cut East
Ipswich
Suffolk
Postcode: IP3 0EA; View IP3 0EA on a map
Venue Website: http://www.ipswichhavenmarina.co.uk/
Parking available: Yes
Notes: Voyages on Thalatta typically start and finish in Ipswich Haven Marina, Suffolk. We sail around the coast of Suffolk and Essex, exploring the rivers and creeks, beaches and ports of the area.

Other details

Cost Details: For information on costs, please email info@thalatta.org.uk
Age Groups: 16-25 years, Children (5-11), Adults, Young people

Support for people with disabilities

Access Suffolk

Experience of including people with special educational needs and disabilities

Disabilities
People with a wide range of mild to severe disabilities and medical issues have very successfully come away with us in the past, from organisations such as the Jubilee Sailing Trust and the Ellen McArthur Cancer Trust. We firmly believe that anyone, no matter what their level of physical ability is, can take part in and gain a great deal from sailing Thalatta. We can even accommodate wheelchairs, thanks to our wide, spacious decks. If you would like to come away with us yet have worries about our suitability for your specific needs, we’d be happy to chat about any concerns you may have, to make sure you can get the most out of your time on board with us.

Mental Health Issues
Sail training has been shown to have many benefits for people with mental health issues in both adults and children. Research into this area is ongoing but some information can be read about it here. Onboard Thalatta young people can gain so much through living together, sharing responsibilities, supporting others, meeting new people and overcoming fears. Being in a totally unique environment and taking part in activities they never thought they could do can have an immense impact on their self-esteem and self-confidence. For some the effects have even been life-changing. The slower pace of life and travel on Thalatta also gives them time to pause and reflect in a way modern busy life seldom allows. Perhaps most importantly, they also gain an appreciation of the power and beauty of nature and how humans fit into the wider world.

Conditions Supported

Autistic spectrum conditions
Communication difficulties
Health conditions
Learning difficulties
Mental health conditions
Physical disabilities
Sensory impairments