The Sound Sense programme; run in partnership with the National Marine Aquarium, will deliver a series of two day workshops over the next 12 months. It is designed to be from the outset an exciting way to engage and teach students about the diversity and wonder of the marine environment on their own doorstep.

Funding has been secured for 120 young people from local secondary schools to take part in the project with students from Sir John Hunt, Heles, and Stoke Damerel already signed up.

Matthew Barraud, Director of Mórvargh Sailing Project, said: "I'm absolutely delighted to have secured this grant. It will really enhance young people's perceptions as to what's around them and under the water in Plymouth Sound, I can't wait to see their faces when they see what's down there!"

The National Marine Aquarium has had a key role in helping to develop the programme and students will have the opportunity to be inspired to learn through hands-on experience in the Just Add H2O Headquarters as well as on board Mórvargh’s Tall Ship, Helen Mary R (HMR). HMR will be transformed into a floating classroom for the programme with three dedicated mini-labs, navigation centre, and remotely operated submarine which allows young people to experience the marine environment up close.

In addition teachers will be given detailed evaluation materials showing what improvement the students have made and what they have learnt, as well as a wealth of resources to support learning throughout the programme so that other schools both in Plymouth and across a wider area can get involved.

The students will be encouraged to upload photographs, videos and reports to both the H2O website and to the Plymouth Archive and at the culmination of the project Sound Ambassadors will be appointed to spread the word of the importance of conserving the area for future generations.

Commenting on the grant award HLF Head of South West,  Richard Bellamy, said:  "As well as being the backdrop for some of the best known events in the history of our nation, Plymouth Sound is one of the UK's largest natural harbours, and is designated as a Special Area of Conservation because of the enormous diversity of its habitats and wildlife. 

"We were therefore very keen to support this project, which will provide opportunities for a new generation to appreciate this unique environment, and encourage them to ensure that it is protected for the future."

Teachers and Schools can find out more about these free workshops by visiting both Mórvargh Sailing Project and the National Marine Aquarium at their teachers event on the 25th October.

Notes for editors

Mórvargh Sailing Project was incorporated in January 2010 as a Community Interest Company and provides innovative youth development, leadership, and marine based courses for young people in the South West.  The project focuses on young people aged 14-25 in the South West by delivering formal youth development and education programmes delivered on a Class D Tall Ship, Helen Mary R. 

All of the programmes use innovative ways of recording the benefit to young people and organisations are able to see a quantifiable increase in a person's skill base.

Our mission is to advance the education and personal development of young people in the South West of England through the excitement and challenge of learning to sail our tall ship. Young people leave the voyages with competence based qualifications which complement those gained in formal education. Voyages add dimensions and depth of knowledge allowing the young person to progress more easily to further & higher education and employment.

What Mórvargh can offer
Photo opportunities can be provided with the young people taking part either on or off the yacht at Sutton Harbour Marina or whilst sailing in Plymouth Sound. Interviews could be held with students taking part in the challenge or with Matthew Barraud, Mórvargh Sailing Project Director and Skipper of Helen Mary R.

Further information

Images and interviews, please contact Matthew Barraud, Director at Mórvargh Sailing Project – 01752 358 557, email: matt@morvargh-sailing.co.uk or Paul Cox, Director of Conservation and Communication at National Marine Aquarium – 0844 893 7938, email: paul.cox@national-aquarium.co.uk.