Birkenhead YMCA is pioneering a new kind of team-building aboard its own canal boat. Peter Elson sets sail to find out more

A HERON lazily flaps across the sky, two cormorants stand with their wings spread, drying out on the canal bank. A kingfisher flashes out of a bush and into the water.

But here, deep in Cheshire’s countryside along the Trent & Mersey Canal, this bucolic tonic is being harnessed as therapy for the homeless.

Birkenhead YMCA has invested in a brand new £86,000, 18.5 tonne, 65ft long, 12-berth traditional canal narrow boat, built by Liverpool Boat Co on the Dock Road, and based in Northwich.

This is the first boat bought and operated by a YMCA in Britain. It will help team-building, social and other inter-active life skills among its residents (now called clients).

YMCA managers believed that there was a crucial need to find a way of building trust between their clients and boosting their confidence.

Many of these have spent solitary lives, desperately fighting to keep it together on Birkenhead’s mean streets. Co-operation with their fellow men was not a priority.

The idea for the narrow boat emerged after Nigel Hughes, Birkenhead YMCA deputy chief executive and a keen boating enthusiast, advertised for people to join him on canal excursion.

“There wasn’t much interest, but when I offered a second trip, I was inundated as word had got round about what a great day it was,” says Nigel.

“I must emphasise this boat has not been bought to provide ‘jollies’ for staff and clients, although its use is meant to be enjoyable, the project has a serious purpose.

“When we take the boat out, we split the clients into two equal teams, one operates the boat and the other runs the galley.

“Then half way through the trip we swap them around. It is fascinating to see how soon the natural leaders emerge to take charge of operating the locks, or how the homemakers gravitate towards the galley.”

The boat is named Potential, as the YMCA is always talking about the potential of clients and schemes, according to Nigel.

But although Birkenhead is painted on the cabin side as her homebase, there’s no branding with YMCA insignia.

“Potential looks like a traditional narrow boat, as we didn’t want a floating YMCA hostel and stoke up hostility about the homeless,” says Nigel.

“The biggest shock is the wealth of talent among our clients. This is what we want to release, as we’ve witnessed it by seeing the jobs they can do.

“When you talk to our clients you realise what a variety of backgrounds they come from; how they are victims of family breakdown (which is a big, big problem), financial ruin and unemployment.

“There’s no jobs for life and society has changed so drastically that it’s no surprise to see tragic consequences resulting. Some clients do have histories of substance misuse, but alcohol is by far the most serious wrecker of people’s lives.”

Nigel and his team often have to teach social skills (even eating properly) so clients, many of whom have no work experience, can progress. Restricted space on a boat means courtesy and personal hygiene are essential.

Birkenhead YMCA has retrained clients who have since taken responsible jobs in retailing and engineering. One has become the commercial director of a firm in Scotland.

“The boat is to show our clients the difference between the chaotic urban environment and what it’s like to unwind in the sights and smells of the countryside.

Alex Melbourne, YMCA business development manager, says: “You can learn more about people on this boat in three hours than five months back in Birkenhead.”

Peter Cookson, head of support services, agrees: “Taking clients out of their immediate situation is extremely helpful. You can see the real person emerge.

“It gives a whole new dimension and I’ve used the chance to organise discussions about dealing with substance abuse while we’re aboard.

“One of our older residents was so enthralled by the boat he applied to become a lock-keeper. He went from 19 stolen car offences to finding satisfaction sailing a boat at 4mph.”

British Waterways, which runs Britain’s canal and river system, is very supportive. Birkenhead YMCA also purchased a second boat, Mona’s Queen, based on the Norfolk Broads and hopes to forge links with East Anglian YMCAs to promote similar programmes. From Potential’s base at Orchard Marina, Gadbrook Park, we chugged southwards to Middlewich through luscious countryside.

On board was Kayleigh Bradley, 20, from Manchester, who moved into the YMCA following her release from Styal Prison, after serving a sentence as a result of wild binge drinking and causing trouble.

“My parents both died when I was nine and I’d been in care since then. I was homeless after Styal and luckily my keyworker, Jean, put me onto the YMCA,” she says.

“Some people can’t face the world and re-offend to get back into prison, but I realised my lifestyle was degrading and this was a wake-up call for me. I now have a place at Wirral College.

“I love the relaxed atmosphere and having a break from being at the YMCA. Before this, I could never have imagined driving such a big boat.”

David Blair, 59, from Birkenhead, lost his job six years ago when the factory he worked at relocated to eastern Europe. His life sank into a mire of drink and debt.

Homeless, his health collapsed and while in hospital a kindly nurse contacted the YMCA for him.

“The boat’s relaxing pace gives you time to think. It feels like a million miles from Birkenhead,” says David who now has his first computer qualification.

“Helping to work the boat changed perceptions of what I can do and made me much more confident.”

Living with his sister, Andy Griffiths, 35, from Birkenhead, became homeless after a row led to her ordering him out of her house. Problems with his legs meant he couldn’t work.

“Being here has given me a new lease of life. I’m a qualified chef, so I’m at home in the galley and also work in the YMCA cafe.”

Our captain for the day was Simon Brown, 35. After his parents split when he was nine, he became a perpetual truant roaming Birkenhead’s streets, sniffing glue from 13 and ending up with a crack cocaine habit.

All his cash from temporary building jobs went on drugs and home was squats – and prison. Luckily, his mother and sister coaxed him into the YMCA last October.

“Since then, I’ve passed my GCSE in maths and my Royal Yachting Association diesel engineering certificate. I’m hoping to take English and IT GCSEs soon,” says Simon.

“I’d suddenly realised I’d achieved nothing and my life was a mess. I knew I must make an effort to change and the YMCA helped me do this.”

He also confessed to a crime committed years ago to clear his conscience and this entailed travelling with police to Luton and finding his own way back.

“I regret I’d not done something better years ago, but at least I’ve now faced things and I hope to become a support worker.”

Peter says: “I feel privileged and honoured to know these people at the YMCA. After going through terrible times, they all want to move on and make something of their lives.”

Nigel says: “Prevention is better than cure. The earlier we can help people to stop their decline and repair their lives, the better it is for them and society.

“We are breaking down people’s perceptions. The grim old days of the YMCA are long gone. Birkenhead is setting a new benchmark of quality in the YMCA movement.”

peter.elson