We are always looking for new ways to connect with and involve young people with the Danny, through offering engineering placements and project opportunities, music events, discussions, wellbeing activities, art projects, opportunities to develop and deliver creative activities for families - we try to find what we can offer that meets the interests of young audiences and project participants, and to make that happen.
Sometimes we have got an obvious connection - where young people are interested in heritage engineering, we simply unleash our volunteer engineer team, who are delighted when young people are interested in seeing how the Danny works, and having a go at operating her as a trainee.
The Danny is a unique learning environment, with the ability to respond with bespoke programme to the needs and interests of different groups. Over the past two years, we have put on an afternoon tea for an LGBTQIA+ youth group; a cruise with an oceanographer, visual artist and maritime heritage expert on board for a group of young people seeking a new direction in education, employment or training; a co-created programme with an opera singer and young people with learning disabilities; an exhibition commemorating the Battle of the Atlantic created by volunteers working together with young people struggling with their mental health and several programmes with the Canal and River Trust, connecting groups of scouts, guides, cadets, young carers and young people with learning disabilities to both the waterways ecology and the Danny's heritage.
We have been surprised at the impact that engaging with the Danny has had on young audiences and participants - from the young people who described it (after two visits!) as a second home, to the mum who thanked us for building up her daughter's confidence and wellbeing to the young people who came for a visit with their own youth group and came back to run activities on family cruises and events, building their own skills and confidence in turn.
If you would like to bring a youth group on board for a visit or workshop, please get in touch with us at [email protected].
