Despite the constraints of the COVID19 pandemic WMG Associate Professor, Mairi Macintyre, was still able to fulfil her annual volunteer commitments to the Jubilee Sailing Trust earlier this year.

Mairi has been supporting the sailing charity since 2012 using her annual leave to board the tall ship and enjoy sailing adventures around the world. Over the past nine years Mairi, alongside mixed ability colleagues, has taken on various roles including that of a bosun’s mate, an engineer and as a general crew member.

In February’s voyage, the Jubilee Sailing Trust hosted Royal Navy cadets for an essential leadership training exercise with crew members (including Mairi) and cadets forming a bubble on a week-long trip from Portsmouth.

Mairi explained: “The ship prioritises the ability to draw out everyone’s potential, we are all different and always stronger as a crew rather than any individual. Finding ways to enable everyone to find their best selves is what the ship does in spades. This lesson to me is so important to bring to my classroom, and it’s just great fun!”

As well as a huge personal achievement, Mairi’s vast volunteering has also enabled her to build fantastic relationships with the Trust, and in turn identify some fantastic research opportunities for University of Warwick students. 

One such example is the work of WMG student Tanin Aparimarn. In 2019 he was able to work alongside the Trust creating a 3D printed version of a ship, a VR experience and an app tour for mixed ability people to experience what it’s like on board.

Patrick Fleming, Chief Executive, Jubilee Sailing Trust explains: "The Jubilee Sailing Trust has been committed to providing life changing opportunities to disabled and able bodied people of all ages from all walks of life to experience inclusive tall ship voyages for more than four decades. We are determined to ensure that we work with those in further education to provide onshore and on sea experiences that enhance both learning, leadership and employment opportunities."

Find out more about the Jubilee Sailing Trust and volunteer opportunities here: https://jst.org.uk/