Six months in hospital changed my life. After a serious accident, I had to learn how to do so many things again. Speaking, eating and moving were all difficult, and I was also left with a brain injury. I went through a lot of painful physiotherapy, but eventually came the moment I will never forget: I stood up and took a few steps, with the nurses cheering me on.
When I returned home to my parents, I was supported by the wonderful Headway charity as I continued my recovery. Then someone at Headway told me about Swingbridge Community Boats. I thought, Why not? So, I decided to volunteer. I can’t remember my first day, my memory doesn’t work like it used to, but I do remember how much I wanted to give it a go.
At first, the other volunteers were understandably a little worried about me getting onto the boat. I was still unsteady on my feet and didn’t say much. I mostly watched and took everything in.
When I first tried helping with the practical work, it was, as one of the crew politely puts it, “rather haphazard”. I was waving pruning loppers around without much aim! But I saw the funny side and kept going.
And that is what Swingbridge has given me: the chance to keep going.
Over the past 18 months, I have seen a huge difference in myself. My mobility and dexterity have improved, my balance is coming back, and I can get stuck into whatever jobs need doing. Honestly, volunteering with Swingbridge feels much better than doing physio.
Then something happened that I never expected: I became a helmsman. After my accident, they took away my driving licence – and I wasn’t even in a car! But they can’t stop me driving a boat! There was quite a lot of zigzagging when I first started, and I needed help with the controls. But I persevered, and now I’ve mastered it. I can take the boat into a lock and stop it exactly where it needs to be. That’s something I’m really proud of. Swingbridge has also helped me come out of my shell. I also sing as we go under every bridge!
I’m the youngest member of the crew and they call me their mascot. They entertain me, and I entertain them. It works because everyone at Swingbridge is supportive, open-minded and willing to give each other a chance.
Now I’m excited to be starting part-time paid work. But I’ve made sure I still have time for Swingbridge. I can’t let my friends there down. They’ve been there while I’ve learned to walk, find my confidence, improve my balance, learn new skills, and, most importantly, believe in what I can do again.
I came to Swingbridge as someone recovering from a life-changing accident. I’ve become a volunteer, a helmsman, a friend, and apparently, the crew’s mascot. And I’m not finished yet!
"Until you try something like this you don’t realise how beneficial it is"
We're thrilled to announce a new addition to its Swingbridge Community Boats fleet: the Maggie G!
We are delighted to announce that we have received funding from the Community Foundation for Surrey to support our much-loved Swingbridge Community Boats programme.
Whether you are looking for a special extracurricular or uplifting activity, book your fun day out with a difference today.
