Supporting Welfare: Westbere Sailing Opportunities

Westbere Sailing Opportunities (WSO) is a registered charity founded by David James MBE in 2001. They provide enjoyable, safe, therapeutic and recreational sailing experiences for adults and children with all forms and levels of disability on a lake near Canterbury.

WSO encourages learning to sail whenever possible and prioritises the welfare of both volunteers and participants through its Code of Practice and training.

In May 2025, Sarah Tinson became the Welfare & Safeguarding Officer for Westbere Sailing Opportunities after her predecessor stepped down. As someone new to the role, Sarah reached out to Active Kent & Medway to find out what additional support was available to her and the organisation. She was keen to increase her own safeguarding knowledge, add value to their current safeguarding practices, and network with other welfare officers to share best practice.

Following initial discussions, Sarah was invited to attend some free local welfare events and training sessions. Sarah then invited Stuart, one of our Sport Welfare Officer, to visit their Canterbury facility to meet other committee members and some of the participants.

• Sarah attended the ‘Building Positive Relationships with Young Athletes’ Parents’ session, which was hosted by Active Sussex on behalf of the South East region and the ‘Kent Safeguarding and Welfare in Sport Networking Event’, jointly hosted by Kent FA and Active Kent & Medway.
• The organisation has raised the profile of the Safeguarding & Welfare Officer internally via its noticeboard and website.
• An internal Safeguarding Venue Risk Assessment has been carried out.
• Safeguarding is now a standing item on Committee Meeting Agendas and at Team Leader briefings.
• Conversations held with the Chairman to reassure anyone with concerns about the role.

“Stuart’s visit underscored the importance of integrating safeguarding discussions into all committee meetings and team leaders’ briefings.” Sarah Tinson, Welfare & Safeguarding Officer

• The organisation is reviewing safeguarding around fitting life jackets and will be included in all pre-season training sessions in 2026.
• The organisation has been given additional information about available funding opportunities such as Active Kent & Medway’s Small Grant, Kent County Council Capital Grant for Sport and other external funding streams.

Interested in giving sailing a go?

Westbere Sailing Opportunities are active at the lake every Thursday and Friday between April and October. They welcome both groups and individuals. Get in touch if you’d like to give sailing a go: www.wsosailing.org/contact