On 18 April, representatives from Enable Ability attended the official launch of FreeSpirit at the Port Solent Marina. FreeSpirit is a purpose-built community vessel designed to deliver year-round activity focused on mental health and well-being, education, environmental awareness and maritime experiences. The boat has the capacity to host large groups while moored for structured sessions, and smaller groups when operating at sea. Planned delivery includes therapeutic and well-being sessions, educational workshops, conservation activity and opportunities to develop maritime knowledge and skills.
The launch event brought together partners, funders and community organisations involved in the build and development of the project, recognising the collective contribution that made the vessel possible. It also set out the longer-term ambition to provide consistent and accessible opportunities for individuals and groups who may otherwise have limited access to the sea.
Following the launch, Enable Ability returned to Port Solent for a second visit to meet the FreeSpirit team and better understand how the vessel will operate in practice. During this visit, James, Project Leader at Enable Ability, was given a full tour of the boat by Ross Honey and held discussions around programme structure, capacity and accessibility. This provided a clearer picture of how sessions could be delivered with our charity and how different groups could be supported whilst onboard. We have known Ross from the very start and we’d like to take this opportunity to thank him for being so community-driven and always having Enable Ability in mind throughout all his previous projects.
Enable Ability already has an established partnership with Angling Spirit, a catalyst for FreeSpirit. Having previously worked with Angling Spirit to deliver fishing and crabbing activities for the Portsmouth Teenage Project. These sessions have shown clear benefits for young people, particularly in relation to engagement, confidence and well-being. FreeSpirit builds on this relationship by providing a more consistent and scalable platform for delivery, enabling a wider range of activities throughout the year.
There are plans to explore opportunities for Enable Ability participants to access the boating programme over the summer period, with potential for both younger and older groups to be involved as delivery develops. Rebecca Bradley, who is supporting FreeSpirit as their Health and Well-being Coordinator, will play a role in ensuring that provision is inclusive and aligned with well-being outcomes.
The partnership presents an opportunity to support a range of outcomes across Enable Ability’s work, including improved well-being, increased engagement through practical learning, and the development of confidence, independence and social skills. It also supports wider aims to reconnect individuals with the sea and promote environmental awareness within coastal communities.
The two visits to Port Solent have provided a clear understanding of the purpose and potential of FreeSpirit, and planning is now underway to identify how Enable Ability can be actively involved as the programme begins to roll out.
