A day on the water became a powerful reminder that connection, courage and new experiences can create lasting memories. Through the Making Waves Foundation, a group of young people, alongside their support teams, embarked on a sailing adventure designed to build trust, confidence and meaningful relationships.
The initiative was created to support older teenagers who had become disengaged from life and were experiencing feelings of loneliness, boredom or disconnection. The vision was simple: provide an opportunity for young people to step outside their comfort zones, try something new and enjoy an experience purely for fun, adventure and connection. The day brought together young people with their Support Workers, Behaviour Specialists and wider support teams for a memorable “TSIL Day Out!”
Throughout the sailing experience, the group participated in a range of trust-building activities, including the iconic “Titanic moment,” where participants stood at the bow of the yacht with their arms outstretched. Everyone was encouraged to take part, but for Saxton, simply stepping onto the boat was already a huge achievement. Feeling anxious about the experience, he proudly shared, “Nah, coming on the boat is good enough for today.” His willingness to try something new demonstrated incredible bravery and self-awareness.
After watching others take their turn, Pluto chose to stay at the bow for the remainder of the trip, describing the feeling as something they had never experienced before, saying they had “never felt so free.”
Saxton, Noah and Pluto each had the opportunity to steer the yacht, confidently following directions and guidance from the crew. A standout moment was seeing Noah remove his headphones and become fully immersed in the adventure, embracing rare technology-free time and enjoying the world around him.
The day created moments of joy, trust and belonging that will be remembered by both the young people and the team members who shared the experience.