Horizons Plymouth has celebrated 30 years of creating opportunities, building confidence and changing lives across the city with the official opening of its new Shore Base at Mayflower Marina.

The celebration brought together a fantastic gathering of local community organisations, partner organisations, funders, volunteers, local authority representatives and dignitaries to celebrate Horizons Plymouth’s remarkable contribution to the city and look ahead to its next chapter.

The new Shore Base was officially opened by HM Lord-Lieutenant of Devon, David Fursdon, marking an important milestone for Horizons Plymouth as it continues to evolve its work and support more people of all ages and backgrounds across Plymouth.

Guests were welcomed by David Gratton, Chair of Trustees, before members of the Horizons Plymouth team shared the story of the organisation’s work and its plans for the future.

The team highlighted how Horizons Plymouth has evolved over three decades, continually responding to changing needs within the local community and developing supportive programmes around the individual needs of the people it works with.

Celebrating the people behind Horizons Plymouth

A particularly special part of the event was the recognition of two people who represent both the history and the future of Horizons Plymouth.

Deputy Lord Mayor of Plymouth, Councillor Angela Penrose, presented awards recognising the contribution of people who have helped make a difference through Horizons.

Long-standing volunteer Derek Blackmore, affectionately known as ‘Pirate Derek’, has supported Horizons Plymouth for many years and received an award recognising his extraordinary commitment as a volunteer and his ability to entertain, inspire and engage children through his time with Horizons Plymouth.

Fourteen-year-old Jennifer was presented with a Future Instructor Award, recognising her development as a programme participant, her achievements with recognised RYA qualifications, her consistent support of Horizons Plymouth and the important role she now plays as a youth mentor and positive influence for younger participants.

Jennifer and eight-year-old Saxon also joined Chief Instructor Harvey for a special conversation with guests about what Horizons Plymouth means to them and their hopes for the future.  Saxon shared how much he enjoys sailing and how much he particularly loves capsizing!

Their ambitions captured the spirit of Horizons perfectly – from developing their skills, finding a new passion and helping others develop their resilience and sense of belonging.

Their stories demonstrated the way that participants can grow with Horizons Plymouth: from providing a first experience on the water, to building confidence and practical skills, developing leadership and mentoring capability, raising aspirations and ultimately creating new opportunities for young people.

A new chapter for Horizons Plymouth

The new Shore Base provides an important home for Horizons Plymouth’s growing programme of community activity, with spaces supporting wellbeing, learning and development, and opportunities for people to build confidence, develop skills and experience the benefits of being on and around the water.

Horizons Plymouth is continuing to evolve its programmes to respond to local need, supporting disadvantaged people across different ages and circumstances and creating opportunities designed around the individual.

Its work is made possible through dedicated volunteers, funders and community partners.

The organisation would like to extend its particular thanks to the many organisations and individuals who help make its work possible, including those who joined for the event, such as Plymouth’s Pride in Place Neighbourhood Board, Rockfish, Mayflower Specials, The Ladies Aid Society & The Eyre Charity, POP, the Outdoor Partnership and Routeways.

Mayflower Marina has also provided important support in helping the charity to create the opportunities for accessible sailing and watersports for disadvantaged young people in the local community.

Today’s celebration was therefore not simply about opening a building. It was about celebrating the people, partnerships and community that have made 30 years of Horizons Plymouth possible and creating a platform for the next generation.

David Gratton, Chair of Trustees, said:

“Today is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate 30 years of Horizons Plymouth and the extraordinary people who have helped make that journey possible. For many years, we have been transforming lives through sailing, and our new Shore Base gives us a home from which we can continue to grow, evolve and respond to the needs of our community. We are incredibly grateful to our volunteers, funders, partners and supporters who make this work possible.”

The Horizons Plymouth team is now looking forward to using the new base to expand its programmes and partnerships, reaching more people across Plymouth and ensuring that opportunities on and around the water are accessible to those who may otherwise never have the chance to experience them.

After 30 years of creating opportunities on the water, the message from today’s celebration was clear, this is not just a celebration of the past, but the beginning of the next chapter for Horizons Plymouth.