Jason Leon and Gillian Meighan are the junior sailing coordinators at Loch Broom Sailing Club in the Northwest of Scotland and have been instrumental in linking the club to the community. RYA Scotland have recognised their efforts at the club with an Impact Award.
The RYA Scotland Impact Awards aim to recognise that value of those people and share their stories where they are successful, supported, sustainable, inclusive and valued in their endeavours.
Loch Broom Sailing Club has started to engage with primary schools and friends of children already taking part in activities to really open up the club and make it more accessible to the wider community. They are increasing opportunities for first-time participants safely, so that they gain confidence and experience in a really fun atmosphere.
Senior Instructor Charlie Irving said.
“I’ve very recently moved here in February, so I’m still new to the area, but I’ve met Gillian, Jason and they are lovely, lovely people. What they’re trying to do with the community, get all the kids, get them out sailing I think it’s brilliant, especially being a coastal town. There should be some more sailing, more sort of water, outdoor activities. The youth week is going really well, they’ve got a brilliant set up with the slipway getting in is really nice, and they’ve got a lovely area in Loch Broom, stunning mountains and a good bit of breeze.”
Claire Brown, a parent of one of the junior participants said.
“It’s absolutely fantastic because we would never have gone out in sailing boats, any of us. My husband and I have never sailed as we didn’t have the opportunity to do that. So, to have the kids to be able to have that opportunity without Gilly and Jason, that just would never have happened. And just facilitating that opportunity for our kids and their friends as well.”
On receiving the award Gillian Meighan said.
“To be honest, it’s very lovely to be nominated, but it’s not about us. It’s about the whole club and it’s about everybody that makes this happen. Otherwise, we wouldn’t be comfortable accepting it because we want to help enable others to make it happen.”
“What’s really good about this year is that everybody’s learnt all the different roles. Everybody’s upskilling and everybody’s a part of what this is because it must be a team effort. So that’s why it’s upskilling. We should be working towards a stage where we are entirely dispensable. Completely believe in that form of leadership. You grow other people until you’re not necessary anymore.”
Jason Leon added.
“I think it’s just lovely. We’re getting kids who haven’t had any sailing experience from families who don’t really do much on the water getting involved, which is just lovely. And people go, “Oh, can we have a shot at that?” Which great and then tends to work with a little bit of encouragement for mum and dad get on the water a little bit as well. And then everybody gets. to go sailing together, which is really lovely. There’s a social element to the club as well, where we’re encouraging just people to get together, which is really nice.”
We want to celebrate and inspire, whether RYA members, participants, paid staff or volunteers, we want to recognise when our people and activities are successful, supported, sustainable, inclusive and valued in their endeavours.
Nominations will remain open throughout the year and the RYA Scotland team will review and follow up wherever possible to find out more about the differences made on the people, places and communities impacted.
Hopefully we might get to come out and meet you soon!
If you have found time to recognise some people’s fantastic achievements then there are also several other awards for individuals and clubs including the RYA Club of The Year, and the sportscotland Coaching and Volunteering awards
