Why Plan B is the route to success

Katy Stickland meets the founder and students at Plan B to see how boatbuilding and sailing are giving teenagers a second chance

- Katy Stickland

Plan B, and how its staff and the programmes they run help to prevent dozens of children and teenagers from falling through the cracks, giving them a renewed purpose for the future, is clearly illustrated by the words of former student Adam Pankhurst.

“I was a delinquent in the community when I was younger. I wasn’t a school person, I preferred doing things with my hands rather than studying,” said Adam.

“I was in and out of schools, and then I found John in 2019 running his previous organisation and moved over with him to Plan B in 2022. I started as a student, working my way up to an apprenticeship at 16 and then became a member of staff at 18. Maybe, I could have found my own path but most likely I would have gone down a very difficult path in life. It was important I found somewhere like Plan B which could get me back on track and show me there was something else in life other than running around the streets committing crimes,” he said.

The Gosport-based Plan B organisation works with 10-25-year-olds who for one reason or another can’t take part in mainstream education. Instead, by using the diversity of the local marine industry, the staff teach skills which can be easily transferred into other industries and a route to employment.

Adam, who is now 21 and has started training towards his RYA Yachtmaster qualification, works full time at Plan B Teaching woodworking and boatbuilding to students as well as kayaking and paddleboarding after achieving British Canoeing coaching qualifications.

“We do basic training with the students and give out certificates so they achieve something as a result of their time out on the water. When they come into the workshop and then start with building a picture frame and later an oar they have a real sense of achievement.