A joyful, therapeutic experience at sea

Throughout the summer months, Cowes Sailability Club arranged for groups of people with disabilities to enjoy accessible, outdoor adventures on a wheelchair-friendly motorboat.  Funded by WightAID, the trips had a really positive impact on the wellbeing of those who took part, from adults with debilitating medical conditions to children with complex needs and disabilities from local schools.  

Helen Cooke went on one of the trips organised by Cowes Sailability Club for the Isle of Wight Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Society Group.  In her enthusiastic feedback, she explained how the excursion was a really therapeutic experience that left her feeling joyful and alive.  She thanked Cowes Sailability Club’s volunteers for their warm welcome and support and described how being on the water improved her wellbeing.

This is Helen’s report:

“What a fantastic experience I enjoyed this week.  I went boating on the Solent for the first time in my life.  Little did I imagine how beneficial I would find this trip, organised for the MS Society Isle of Wight Group by Cowes Sailability Club. 

“As an ambulant disabled person, I was confident the vessel would be accessible for me, but I was utterly bowled over by how completely inclusive the whole experience was too.  That is so rare.  From the welcome party as I arrived, to ALL the volunteers who supported this event, everyone showed understanding of our group’s variety of needs.

“I found my time out on the water joyous and inspiring.  I couldn’t wipe the smile off my face!  What is it about boating at speeds from gentle to SUPER-FAST that is so invigorating?  It made every cell in my body feel alive.  That’s quite something when MS leaves great swathes of you numb or in varying states of pain and discomfort.    
“It was a very therapeutic experience.   It really made me reflect and decide that this is something I must do again.  ‘Wellbeing’ is such a buzzword currently, but it does have real meaning and was truly met for me that day on the water.   I can’t thank Cowes Sailability Club enough for this journey of self-discovery.  If only you were available on the NHS!”

The excursion that Helen enjoyed so much was made possible by a grant from WightAID, an organisation that distributes funding to support charitable projects benefiting island people and places.  In total, WightAID funded 18 trips during 2025, including sponsoring one day of Cowes Sailability Club’s flagship Cowes Week event.  These activities benefited around 160 people, comprising adults and children with a wide range of physical and learning disabilities and their carers. 

Thanking WightAID, Cowes Sailability Club’s Vice Commodore and Fundraising Officer Trish Rooke says: “The feedback we received from Helen was wonderful to read and really demonstrates the benefits of water-based activities for people with disabilities.  We are very grateful to WightAID for enabling us to offer so many trips this year and for making it possible for all kinds of people to share Helen’s feelings of joy and inclusivity.”  

Cowes Sailability Club chartered Wetwheels Hamble for the trips, an accessible motorboat owned and operated by Wetwheels Hamble CIC.  Specially designed to cater for people with disabilities, the boat can accommodate people who use wheelchairs.

Helen Cooke during her ‘therapeutic’
boat trip

A cheque presentation event, attended by representatives from Cowes Sailability Club and some of the other charities that benefited from WightAID funding in 2025