A REDDITCH man will help support young people from across the UK to rebuild their confidence after cancer after landing a key role with the charity founded by record-breaking round-the-world yachtswoman, Dame Ellen MacArthur.
James Hall has been appointed the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust’s operations manager for the North, and will co-ordinate and manage all the Trust’s operational activities in Scotland and the north of England from its base in Largs on Scotland’s west coast.
James, who attended Studley High School and Stratford College, started sailing at Youth Afloat Activity Centre, near Redditch before working as an instructor with disadvantaged young people at the former Youth Afloat at Arrow Valley Lake.
Launched in 2003, the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust is a national charity that supports young people aged eight to 24 in recovery from cancer.
Through sailing and other UK-wide adventure trips, coordinated from Largs and the Trust’s HQ in Cowes, young people build confidence by making friends with others who have been through similar, rediscovering independence away from home, learning new skills and, most importantly, stop feeling like they are the ‘only one’.
James will oversee two different sailing programmes from Largs – four-day trips for young people sailing with the Trust for the first time and longer cruising trips on the Firth of Clyde for those returning for a second time or more. He will also look after residential trips to WaterPark Lakeland Adventure Centre in the Lake District.
The 28-year-old said: “As young people who are already going through ups and downs, after a cancer diagnosis has hit them, it’s incredibly important to get them back trusting themselves and trusting their body.
“Going out on a boat is a great way to do that because they see what they are capable of, and have a good time while they’re doing it.
I really like seeing young people have the recognition that they’ve achieved something. That’s the warm fuzzy feeling.”
James is an RYA Yachtmaster Instructor, who has most recently been working for the Ocean Youth Trust Scotland.
For more information visit www.ellenmacarthurcancertrust.org
