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Sailing Experience on Pioneer

September 14 - September 16
£30

Step aboard something truly special. Come sailing with us!  We’re inviting 10 Blossome Community members to join us for a 3-day residential sailing journey on Pioneer, a beautifully restored historic vessel, in collaboration with the Pioneer Sailing Trust.

This is more than a trip. It’s an invitation to try something new, reconnect with yourself, and be part of something meaningful… together. No sailing experience is needed, just a willingness to try and have some fun. This is for Blossome Community members who are curious to try something new, open to shared experiences and looking for connection, calm, and a bit of adventure.

Meet Pioneer – A Story of Restoration

Pioneer is one of a kind. Built in 1864, she is the last surviving Essex large smack of her kind, a traditional sailing fishing boat once used for oyster dredging and trawling. But what makes her truly special is her story.

She was once found in the mud, a little more than a broken shell. Carefully restored over time, she now sails again: stronger, bigger, and more beautiful than before. It’s a story that feels close to home for many in the Blossome community, a reminder that restoration is possible, and that something meaningful can emerge from what once felt broken.

The Journey

Route:
Brighlingsea → Walton Backwaters → Return

Over three days, we’ll sail through the peaceful, wildlife-rich waters of the Essex coastline, slowing down, learning together, and soaking in the rhythm of life at sea. This is a wonderful opportunity to practice self-compassion.

Highlights include:

  • A swim stop & beach BBQ
  • A seal-watching experience in their natural habitat
  • Quiet moments in the Walton Backwaters, known for their beauty and calm

What It Means to Be Part of the Crew

This isn’t a passenger trip, you’ll be part of the crew, guided by a professional team:

Skipper: Robin Cole
Mate: Teymour Kashani
Bosun: Liz Reynolds

Plus you and your fellow Blossome crew. You’ll have the chance to:

  • Steer the boat
  • Learn ropes, knots, and sail handling
  • Hoist and trim sails
  • Learn the basics of navigation
  • Raise and drop the anchor
  • Take part in cooking meals onboard
  • Learn about the marine environment and how to protect it
  • Hear stories of the local coastline and maritime history

The Crew

Robin
Teymour

Why This Sailing Experience Matters

There’s something powerful about being at sea.

The simplicity.
The teamwork.
The way it invites you to be present.

This experience is about:

  • Trying something new (even if it feels a little scary), with self-compassion
  • Gently stretching your comfort zone
  • Connecting with others in a real, grounded way
  • Taking time for yourself, away for day to day life, in a beautiful, supportive environment

Come Sail With Us

This is a rare opportunity to step onto a historic vessel, be part of a working crew, and experience the sea in a way most people never do. There are some mobility restrictions, so please apply to discover more.

If something in you is saying “maybe this is for me…” we’d love you to join us. Apply for a space.

Apply to take part in the Sailing Experience

While we’d love everyone to take part, Pioneer is a traditional ship with narrow steep steps to below deck where the sleeping quarters, toilets and galley kitchen is. We would like to speak with you to make sure you are comfortable with this and are able to climb up and down the steps. Fill in the form and we can chat it through.

What’s Included

  • 3-day / 2-night residential sailing experience on Pioneer
  • All meals provided
  • Transport from Colchester → Brightlingsea → return to Colchester
  • Full support from professional crew

FAQs

Anyone who is a member of the Blossome Community can apply to be a Crew Member. Being a member of the Blossome Community simply means that you have been affected by someone else’s addiction and that you have attended Blossome Community self-care activities or self-compassion programmes.

The Sailing trip takes place from Monday 14 September to Wednesday 16th September. That’s 3 full days and 2 nights on board Pioneer.

The Sailing Trip only costs £30. That’s because the sailing is funded by the Pioneer Trust. You only need to pay for your transport to and from the ship, and for your meals.

You do not need any sailing knowledge or experience. This is a wonderful opportunity to try something new, with support from the Crew.

The sailing experience is best suited to people who do not have mobility challenges. This is due to the steep steps to get down below deck and the narrow spaces.

Self-compassion is simply the process of turning compassion inward.  When we show self-compassion, we are kind and understanding rather than harshly self-critical when we fail, make mistakes or feel inadequate.  We give ourselves support and encouragement rather than being cold and judgmental when challenges and difficulty arise in our lives. Research indicates that self-compassion is one of the most powerful sources of coping and resilience we have available to us, radically improving our mental and physical wellbeing. It motivates us to make changes and reach our goals not because we’re inadequate, but because we care and want to be happy.  Source: Dr Kristin Neff 

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