The Dandelion Trust

Care, Creativity & Conservation

BERYL THE BARGE

A wide range of people with mental health problems found rehabilitation, recreation and encouragement aboard Beryl the Barge. This narrowboat project offered opportunities for learning skills within a safe environment.

Beryl the Narrowboat was owned by the Dandelion Trust and was based at the Aylesbury Basin, which is the terminus of the Aylesbury Arm of the Grand Union Canal, for over 10 years. The craft was originally 35 foot long but was stretched to 60 foot long six years ago. She had a steel hull with a wooden superstructure and was powered by a 15hp diesel engine. Managed and maintained by the Byron Resource Centre at Tindal Hospital, Aylesbury, she was used in short to medium term therapy within the Acute Adult Mental Health Services of the Buckinghamshire Mental Health NHS Trust.

Beryl the Barge, as she was affectionately known by her many crew members past and present, was used for either maintenance or cruising projects on at least three days a week. Maintenance, which was carried out by patients/clients under professional supervision of staff from the Byron Resource Centre, includes woodwork, basic engineering, electrics, painting and artwork. Cruising included short trips on the canal where the crew were trained in boat handling and safety, working locks and the many other aspects of running a narrowboat.

Beryl is, as far as we can ascertain, was unique in the Adult Mental Health service. Her value in therapeutic terms was enormous. When in-patients were taken for a short cruise the improvement in their wellbeing was very obvious and, in the longer-term groups of out-patients, the sure and steady improvement in mental health proved enormously successful. Much of this success was manifest in people returning to employment and/or taking up hobbies and interests that assist in their recovery.

Old Beryl was used throughout the year in all weathers and in 2003 was finally retired from acitve service.

HOW TO HELP BERYL THE BARGE »

The Dandelion Trust
41, The Limehouse Cut, 46 Morris Road, London E14 6NQ
Telephone: 020 7538 5633     Fax: 020 7537 7099     Email: mail@dandeliontrust.org
Registered charity number 328159