YOUNG people from across North Wales who went on an epic tall ship voyage were given the red carpet treatment at the premiere of a film about their adventure.

The team’s four-day expedition took them from Plymouth east to Southampton and around the waters of the Solent, off the Isle of Wight, as part of a trip organised by mental health charity Adferiad.

It was made possible by a grant from the Office of the North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner’s Early Intervention Fund.

The film, Voyage to Recovery, charting the team’s seafaring experience was put together by Eternal Media and was shown for the first time at their base in Wrexham.

The four young men who took part came from Wrexham, Anglesey, Bethesda and Rhyl and helped crew the sailing ship Faramir, a 70-foot sailing ketch from the Cirdan Sailing Trust.

The voyage proved a valuable experience for the young sailors.

 

The Voyage to recovery film launch at Eternal Studios, Borras, Wrexham was attended by from left Crew Member, Byron Williams, Police and Crime Commissioner Andy Dunbobbin, and crew members Tycjan Cholawo, and Jake Cornhill.

The Voyage to recovery film launch at Eternal Studios, Borras, Wrexham was attended by from left Crew Member, Byron Williams, Police and Crime Commissioner Andy Dunbobbin, and crew members Tycjan Cholawo, and Jake Cornhill.

 

Joining them on the voyage were Daniel Bartlett, of Adferiad, and Dr Mike Jackson, a consultant clinical psychologist at Bangor University who has been working with them to provide adventure therapy for young people with anxiety and other mental health issues.

North Wales Police and Commissioner Andy Dunbobbin said: “It was very positive to see the outcomes for the guys who took part and you can still see the friendships it forged at sea.

“This is something we need to build on and it’s really pleasing to see how many different partners have got together to make this happen and the importance of building on this work.

“We all know what an issue mental health is at the moment and this is an example of a progressive and positive way of supporting these young people.

“It shows we need to look at alternative ways of helping them and this is a really good example of the direction we should be going.

“It’s definitely something I would like to support in future to build on the work done here.

“Adferiad have run this in partnership with Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board and Bangor University and we’re very grateful for their support and the huge difference it is making to the live so these young people.”

Tycjan Cholawo, 22, from Wrexham, said: “I had mixed feelings to begin with because I didn’t know anyone on the boat but once we were there I really felt good about it.

“It’s really helped me. I haven’t felt the same anxiety I had before. I’ve been able to get back into work again.

“I enjoyed it and I hope I get the chance to do it again next year.”

Teresa Owen, BCUHB’s Executive Director responsible for mental health services, said: “This is a wonderful example of how thinking outside the box and looking at alternative ways of providing mental health support can make a real difference. We’re extremely grateful to the Police and Crime Commissioner, Adferiad and Bangor University for making this possible.”