About Sea Sanctuary

Aim

Sea Sanctuary's aim is to provide a safe and naturalistic environment as an alternative venue for mental health care working in partnership with statutory and non statutory mental health service providers as an adjunct within the community to their existing and overstretched services.

Philosophy

The ethos behind Sea Sanctuary is based on modern research reflecting the findings of studies based on Wilderness settings and the therapeutic benefits of combining activity and therapy for mental health clients, delivered in a non clinical setting.

The unique setting of Sea Sanctuary as a working sea faring vessel makes the probability of therapeutic change more likely due to the stimulating nature of the boat itself but also the locations to which clients can be transported around their spectacular coastline.

The effect of Sea Sanctuary will further the destigmatisation of mental health problems in a society that still increasingly marginalises those with difficulties. It will also utilise the locality in increasing the well being of those individuals requiring support by reinforcing their connection with Cornwall through spending time absorbing its heritage.

Our assumptions about people using our service

Sea Sanctuary holds the assumption that all service users have the potential to actualise their abilities given the right therapeutic environment and opportunity to progress themselves regardless of their mental health problems.

Sea Sanctuary believes that working as individuals or groups, the boat itself will provide an underpinning framework that represents a common interest for all involved. This will create equal partnerships amongst clients and staff whose shared relationship includes literally, taking care of the Mother Ship. In addition Sea Sanctuary will have a fully working Galley which will be used in promoting team work and life skills for (e.g. catching and preparing fish).

It is felt that these qualities will encourage even the most isolated to become if only temporarily, a valued part of an ongoing communal resource.

Furthermore the project assumes that the client is the expert with regards their own therapeutic needs and where possible clients will be encouraged to choose their own interventions from the services on offer.