A GROUP of nine young people from the north east and Cumbria have spent six days at sea as part of their psychosis recovery. 

Travelling from Peterhead to Hartlepool, the trip on 'The Faramir' was part of The Voyage to Recovery project, a form of adventure therapy run in partnership with Cirdan Sailing Trust.

The project aims to support people recovering from mental illness by providing an alternative environment for them to learn new skills, build relationships and grow confidence.

The young people have been receiving support from the Early Intervention in Psychosis (EIP) service at Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust.

Psychosis is a mental illness that causes people to lose contact with reality, in the form of hallucinations and illusions. 

However, the trip proved to be a great success, as those on board were able to learn more about themselves, as well as their crew members. 

One of those in recovery, who wished not to be named, said: "I felt accepted on the boat, like I could be myself the whole time.

"I always worry that I am going to say the wrong thing and if people will like me, but on the boat, everyone had a story to share.

"Hearing these stories helped me to accept what I’ve been through."

Another said: "Adventure therapy is in a league of its own. It helps you to better understand and overcome the challenges you’re facing."

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Alongside five members of staff from the EIP and three professional crew members, those in recovery spent the full six days on board the boat and were able to put vital skills such as navigation, cooking meals, steering the boat and putting the sails up into action.

Terry Haley, a senior peer supporter in the EIP service, said: "There is still a huge stigma around mental illness so the project is a great opportunity to show what young people recovering from psychosis can achieve when given the chance.

"All of the young people gained so much from the voyage. They quickly formed close friendships, learnt to trust each other and openly talked about the challenges they’ve faced.

"I think these experiences are really important for people who have had a first episode of psychosis. They need to know that there are other people out there who are going through this too and they’re not alone."

At the end of the trip, the team received a qualification from the Royal Yachting Association. Three of the young people were awarded advanced certificates after impressing the professional crew with the sailing knowledge and skills they gained during the trip.

Pictures supplied by Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust.