"As a volunteer I get so much out of playing a small part in something so significant in the journey young people are undertaking in rebuilding their life after cancer."
It was on a day Bill and his wife were having lunch at Largs Marina he spotted a call for volunteers.
With a recently discovered interest in sailing and a history of volunteering with young people, he went on his first Trust trip in 2016 – an under 18s first time trip on the Firth of Clyde.
“Shortly after I started volunteering, I realised that sailing is only the means used to achieve significant change in the lives of the young people who come on trips.
"It is the conversations on the trip and the activities which bring them together that have a significant impact on helping them to start rebuilding their confidence.”
"I constantly see a marked increase in confidence in many of the young people who come on these trips."
At the end of each trip, Bill values the chance to share his ‘best bit, worst bit and funniest bit’ with everyone he’s spent the week with. It’s a chance to reflect on new memories as well as track the changing emotions since arriving on the Monday.
“I constantly see a marked increase in confidence in many of the young people who come on these trips."
Being able to take part in the banter, the games, and the laughs is something Bill looks forward to every sailing season. He values just being able to help facilitate the recovery of the young people he shares a week with.
“As a volunteer I get so much out of playing a small part in something that is so significant in the journey that young people are undertaking in rebuilding their life after cancer. It is both humbling and satisfying for me personally.”
If you, or someone you know, could benefit from Trust support, or you want to make a difference to young lives after cancer, here's how you can...
