Helpers

The trips sail with a 1:1 ratio. The skipper and mate are both highly qualified yacht masters. There are also two other competent sailors who know the boat and are associated with the London Sailing Project.
The other key person is the 'advisor'. The advisor is someone who has personal or professional experience of relating to people with learning disabilities and has previous experience of being a helper on Gemini. The role of the advisor is to monitor that the day to day needs of the crew are maintained and to advice and support helpers where appropriate. We also have an assistant advisor to back them up.
The remainder of the team is made up from people from all walks of life and degrees of experience. The key thing is that all helpers work together drawing on each other's strengths and contributions to making a safe, exciting and thoroughly enjoyable trip for everyone. Interested in helping?

Crew

A maximum of 9 adults with learning disabilities go on each trip as crew members. We have taken people as young as 17 and 82 years of age. The key is that they are looking for an adventure and are willing to try something new. The only restrictions we place on health is that people are fully ambulant and able to cater for their basic personal needs and they do not need medical care (other than the distribution of medicines). See the contact for the Crew.

Trip Fees for 2007

Gemini ran at a slight loss last year so we need to revise our fees to ensure we can continue to run. The fees for 2007 are:
Helpers and LSP (sailors) £40 for the 4 days.
Crew (trainees) £115 for the 4 days.

For crew this covers all accommodation, sailing tuition, insurance and refreshments including one meal out at a restaurant. The only extra money needed is some cash for drinks ashore and any gifts that an individual might wish to purchase.

For helpers and LSP it covers food and accommodation for the trip and the one restaurant meal.

The trips are covered by the insurance policy held by the London Sailing Project.

Trip Dates for 2007

Trip 1 - Thursday May 3rd to Sunday May 6th
Trip 2 - Monday May 7th to Thursday May 10th
Trip 3 - Monday September 17th to Thursday September 20th
Trip 4 - Friday September 21st to Monday September 24th

Let's hope for great sailing weather on all our dates!

More about the trips

Four trips each year are organised, two in the Spring and a further two in the Autumn. The crew join the boat at the Universal boatyard at 11.00 am on day one and are back at the mooring ready to go home by 4.30 pm on day four.
The destination will vary on weather and tide but a typical trip will go to Cowes and/or Yarmouth on the Isle of Wight, Portsmouth Harbour, Gosport, Southampton water. The aim is not to go far but to provide the experience of life on board a large boat and as many sailing experiences as possible within the time frame.
It is an adventure rather than a holiday with all crew being expected to join in with life on board and to help in the galley as well as on deck.
See a satellite view of where we sail.

Blog under construction

Well this is the start of the new Gemini Blog. We are going to try a blog this year to see if we can get something more interactive going. The old website was not getting the attention it needed. This means it is easier to keep it updated and can expand who can add things so that others can add things.
We will add the usual information about what Gemini is, who can go and what to bring plus information on individual trips and will put links to photos up. It will take a little time to set all this up but watch this space.