A Cornwall-based mental health charity has announced it will close at the end of January after running an unsuccessful emergency appeal to prevent its closure.
Sea Sanctuary, which delivers therapeutic sailing programmes, urged potential donors to help it raise £200,000 before the end of 2022 but the charity was unable to do so and on 3 January it announced that its services would close.
The 13-year-old charity said it would offer anyone that had donated to its emergency appeal a refund but pledged to transfer any surplus to another local mental health service.
Founder and chief executive Joe Sabien wrote: “It is with considerable sadness that we must now confirm the closure of Sea Sanctuary.
“Despite our best endeavours and the generosity of the public/followers and our clients, we have been unsuccessful in raising the required amount to remain open. As a result, the charity will be closing at the end of January 2023.
“On behalf of the directors and staff alike, we would like to thank you for your support over these years and we sincerely hope that our service has been of help – please remember though, you are the real engine behind your improved health. Our congratulations to each and every one of you for your courage, bravery and determination to flourish.”
Sea Sanctuary had annual turnover of around £1m, according to its latest accounts, and employed 35 members of staff including a clinician team led by a consultant in psychiatry.
The charity announced a rebrand in November last year, which was delivered by Kingdom and Sparrow and Solve Web Media.
It delivered services from two ships, Irene of Bridgwater and the ARC wellbeing hub, operating a Ofsted-registered children’s home from the latter until February last year.
Sea Sanctuary worked in partnership with local police services, hospitals and Cornwall and Devon councils.
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