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FACT's Bursary Fund
Fellowship Afloat's costs are subsidised by friends and supporters who regularly donate time and money to the running of the centre.
However there are many people for whom the cost of a stay is still beyond their means. This is where the trust's Bursary Fund can help.
The Fund disburses around £10,000 a year, paying for places for young people in need, ranging from those with disabilities, to ex-offenders. But the Fund needs constant topping-up from generous friends and supporters.
Gift Shop
We have a Gift Shop where you can buy 'virtual gifts' for friends and family, while the money goes to support someone's attendance on a course. Take a look at how this works here.
Sponsorship Events
From time to time, supporters organise sponsorship events specifically for the Bursary Fund. For example, see Jellyfish Adventures blog.
If you'd like to talk us about supporting (or making a request to) Fellowship Afloat's Bursary Fund, contact the director, David Hillyer, by email or phone him on 01621 868113.
Testimonials: three group leaders talk about the value of the Bursary Fund
Pete Hope runs ‘Out For Good’, which supports at-risk young
men in Colchester, Essex.
“I have been involved with Fellowship Afloat for many years, and have brought several groups down. We use the day sail and the powerboat course to try and encourage young people on the margins of our society to engage in worthwhile pursuits within a Christain community, believing that the love of Christ can be shared through practical action. The lads have complex needs and loads of baggage, but by bringing them to FACT, introducing them to a caring community where they will meet new people who can befriend them and who won’t offer them drugs/alcohol, enjoying the environment and learning new skills, helps to temporarily break the poverty that they will be experiencing, and hopefully broaden their horizons. One lad we have introduced passed his Powerboat level 1 & 2, and went on to volunteer with the RNLI, as well as get a full time job as a life guard at a local holiday camp. Without assistance from the Bursary Fund we wouldn’t be able to introduce these lads to the various activities Fellowship Afloat offers.”
Mick George is resettlement adviser at LAMP, a project for the homeless in Luton, Beds
“LAMP, a Christian charity, offers homeless 16-25 year-olds the chance to move into shared accommodation with other young people in the same situation, where they’re encouraged and guided through the perils of living today. The goal is that they move on to independent living and achieve full potential.
Many of LAMP’s clients have experienced appalling poverty and neglect, and their self-worth and motivation are at rock bottom. FACT offers the opportunity to work on these issues and provide them with experiences that they would not otherwise enjoy. They soon realise the FACT staff care about their welfare and want to motivate and inspire them. Several young people have returned motivated enough to change their life, seek employment or further their education.
Without the Bursary Fund, LAMP would never be able to fund the trip and thus not be able to offer these very worthy young people the life-changing opportunity that FACT offers.
Some client comments: ‘It was an amazing experience – thank you.’ ‘I done stuff that I never thought I would never do and I experienced things that I never thought I could.’ ‘Everyone at FACT was great. The best time I have had for years.’ ”
Martin Wilcox is a senior-school teacher at Thriftwood School, Galleywood, near Chelmsford, Essex.
“Thriftwood is a special (day) school catering for children with a wide range of educational needs between ages 5 to 16. Many of our children suffer from autism, Down’s syndrome, communication and behavioural difficulties. Currently our roll is 130. Highlights of our school year are the residential visits. It is our aim that every child each year will have the opportunity to experience time away with their class. This is not only of enormous benefit for the pupils but also gives the parents a much needed and appreciated short respite period. Fellowship Afloat (FACT) has been a very valued and important part of that programme. For many years the pupils have enjoyed the challenges of a life at sea, the uniqueness of eating and sleeping onboard the Lightvessel, the friendship support and dedication of the crew members.
Many of our families struggle to meet the financial costs of the week and, without the continuing support of the FACT Bursary Fund, we may in the future be unable to maintain our residential programme. Pupils will inevitably miss out on the opportunities that provide many of them with the most exciting and memorable experiences of their school lives.”
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