Capita is sponsoring this year’s On the Water programme at Birmingham’s Edgbaston Reservoir.
On the Water is a programme run by Sea Cadets, the national youth charity, which provides thousands of young people from disadvantaged communities in the UK the chance to experience free waterborne adventures and earn qualifications.
Through Capita’s sponsorship, this year’s Edgbaston Reservoir programme, run by experienced Sea Cadets instructors, is enabling 400 young people from across Birmingham to participate in activities including sailing, rowing and paddle sports, through to the end of August.
The Covid-19 pandemic has significantly affected the number of opportunities young people have had to learn new skills and socialise. On the Water helps young people exercise in a fun way and increase their confidence, meet new friends and expand their horizons. Qualifications already earned at the Birmingham event so far this summer include:
- 77 x Royal Yachting Association Sailing Taster Certificates
- 6 x Royal Yachting Association Sailing Level 1
- 98 x British Canoeing Go Paddle Paddling Taster
- 3 x British Canoeing Go Paddle Paddling Discover Certificates
Capita leads the consortium which is delivering the transformation and modernisation of the Royal Navy’s shore-based training in the UK and is sponsoring On the Water in Edgbaston to enable young people to get out onto the water, gain confidence and earn qualifications. For some, this may be their first time on open water, experiencing the thrill and adventure of water-based activities.
On 11 August, David Hook CBE, (RM Major General Rtd) Managing Director of Capita Defence Training and Martin Coles, CEO Marine Society & Sea Cadets, visited the Edgbaston programme. As part of the visit, they met and spoke with a number of young people on the programme and joined in with them for activities, including canoeing and sailing.
Martin Coles, CEO Marine Society & Sea Cadets, explained:
“We are delighted to be able to engage some 1,200 hard to reach children this year across three locations – East London, Merseyside and of course Birmingham.”
“Young people from disadvantaged backgrounds tend to have limited access to water-based activities while Covid-19 and the prolonged lockdown has brought new challenges for them.”
“Our hope is that Sea Cadets On The Water programme will boost these young people’s mental and physical wellbeing through nautical adventure and fun, as well as providing them with an opportunity to learn valuable life skills and earn qualifications this summer.”
“We are incredibly grateful to organisations like Capita for their support, making these outreach programmes possible.”
David Hook, Managing Director of Capita Defence Training, said:
“I am proud that Capita is sponsoring this year’s On the Water programme at Edgbaston Reservoir. It’s a wonderful opportunity creating better outcomes for young people to experience something completely new. It was great to meet and chat with so many of those taking part, to see them learning new skills and building their confidence.”
For more information please contact:
Media enquiries
Capita external communications
Tel: 0207 654 2399
Email: media@capita.co.uk
Notes to editor:
About Capita
Capita is a consulting, transformation and digital services business.
Every day our 55,000 colleagues help millions of people, by delivering innovative solutions to transform and simplify the connections between government and citizens, businesses and customers.
We partner with our clients and provide the insight and cutting-edge technologies that give time back, allowing them to focus on what they do best, and making people’s lives easier and simpler.
We operate across three divisions – Capita Public Service, Capita Experience and Capita Portfolio – in the UK, Europe, India and South Africa.
Capita is quoted on the London Stock Exchange (CPI.L).
Further information can be found at: https://www.capita.com
