On Tuesday (19th November), Joe Fitzpatrick – Minister for Public Health, Sport and Well-being will cut the ribbon and formally launch Scotland’s first canal boat providing services for the recovery community.
The Sorted Project is an Edinburgh charity established in 2008. In recent years they have been hiring a canal boat on the Union Canal to support men and women in recovery from substance dependency and associated mental health issues. The success of this work inspired the National Lottery Fund to support the commission of a fully accessible purpose-built canal boat named Panacea.
The service provides a tranquil environment where training and volunteering opportunities are available.
Project Manager Karen Bradford said: “We decided to launch Panacea on this date as it would be a special way to say thank you to the National Lottery Community Fund and to everyone who buys a National Lottery ticket.
“Activity in recovery is an essential part of being well. Our work helps to build resilience through being part of a community, being part of a crew and building hope for the future. Learning to drive and crew a 60ft boat is a powerful way to learn new transferable skills and build self-belief and confidence.
“Funding from the National Lottery Community Fund has enabled us to develop this unique project and we have included people in recovery in not only shaping our work, but also designing the boat. It’s a tremendous achievement and we are all very proud indeed.”
Tuesday 19th November is a significant date which sees the launch of Panacea and the 25th Birthday of the National Lottery.
The boat was designed and built by specialist boat builders, Crafted Boats in Stoke Prior near Bromsgrove. It was transported by road to Sandpoint Marina in Dumbarton. A Sorted Project crew of 9 including staff, board members, volunteers and participants sailed the boat all the way back to Ratho near Edinburgh. The journey took 4 days and was a wonderful experience and a great achievement for everyone involved.
Public Health Minister Joe FitzPatrick said: “It is a pleasure to launch the Panacea which offers such a unique and enterprising way to help people recover from their substance use and improve their mental health.
“Our drugs strategy challenges services to better meet the complex health and social needs of those who are most at risk and deliver services that address their specific circumstances.
“The Sorted Project is delivering a service which offers individuals the chance to develop their confidence and skills in a tranquil and relaxing setting where they can focus on their recovery.”
The Sorted Project is now delivering this unique service and aims to reach recovery communities along the Union Canal.
The launch event starts at midday with the ribbon cutting ceremony taking place at 3pm.
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