Early Intervention in Psychosis Service sets sail in Scotland
In 2024, an Early Intervention in Psychosis Service had the opportunity to take service users on a six-day sailing adventure along the Scottish west coast. The trip saw 13 sailors, including 10 people with lived experience of psychosis and three staff members, travel from Glasgow to Oban, on one leg of the ‘Voyage to Recovery’ project, that saw other Early Intervention in Psychosis crews from across the country set sail around the UK mainland.
To help facilitate the trip, staff went above and beyond to raise funds, taking part in range of activities, from sponsored half marathons to charity boxing events.
As well as being a highly enjoyable experience, the voyage proved to be 'hard work' at times and the close proximity was a very new experience for everyone, but every single person who went on the voyage returned with many positive things to say.
Here is a range of feedback from the service users and staff who took part in the voyage:
“The trip left me with such a warm feeling, it enabled me understand something so beautiful and complex and got to be at one with the boat when steering (which did surprise me that we were trusted to do so).”
“I was apprehensive at first and had decided against it, but I am so grateful to my care coordinator Robert for nudging me in the right direction. I would advise anyone who is presented with the opportunity to take it with both hands and just go with the flow. Everyday was different on and around the boat; there is no time to be bored at all.”
“My plea would be to anyone with the capacity to help people like myself have a transformative and refreshing experience such as this would be, it’s a gift that keeps on giving - for many, a one-time life experience that is so rewarding on so many levels. For days and weeks after I just found myself reliving the experience, it’s such a tangible and intense experience that it stays with you and I’m so grateful to have been able to experience such a wonderful and thoughtful trip.”
“The sailing trip was a great journey. I loved meeting new friends, who I still meet up with. Before, I was struggling to do things like go to the gym and meet people. If you’re sitting around doing nothing it’s difficult to change. I remember being in hospital and thinking it was like prison, and it’s hard to change in a place like that. But since the trip I feel much more able to do things and have more self-belief. I have recently finished a course in security and am looking at doing another course soon.”
“Meeting other users of the care system was really inspiring to me as I knew that I could get better, spending time with people who understood similar experiences.”
“Getting service users connected and learning practical skills is extremely important to recovery. It enables us to gain confidence and shows that when we have halting moments in life that we are still able to continue our progression and small practical skills/activates shows us that we are capable.”
“The trip really brought home to me what we are trying to do as a service, and although it was only six days, I could see the change in people in terms of confidence and teamworking skills. And although it was hard work at times, there were also moments of absolute serenity being in the most beautiful surroundings that will stay with me forever.”
“The impact of this trip on the service users was huge. It was great to see people feel that they could achieve amazing things, that they maybe didn’t think they could before. The boost in confidence for the young people who have had very challenging experiences was fantastic to see. And the teamwork and bonding experiences for the young people was fantastic. It was definitely worth the cost and more young people should be given the chance to experience this lifechanging trip.”
What's not captured so comprehensively in the above quotes, is the wider impact of this voyage on those who did not attend. The whole team of 30-plus staff responsible for supporting 650 service users have been energised by the experience.
The EIP leaders heard that one of the attendees positively impacted the mood and wellbeing of his whole supported accommodation on his return, when he was showing photos and describing his experiences to other residents and staff. A staff member at the accommodation said there was “a real buzz and some noticeable increased optimism about the place since his return.”
Under the umbrella of 'Glasgow to Oban 2024', the team plan on hosting a reunion camping trip when the weather improves in 2025. They hope to create a legacy and turn the one-off 'Adventure Therapy' voyage into more regular activity-based events that lots more people can take part in and benefit from.