Have you ever dreamt of exploring the icy wilderness of Antarctica? The ELMS Activity Hub at Hollybank Trust have been on a virtual 5-week adventure, having snow much fun on the Royal Research Ship Sir David Attenborough built for operation by the British Antarctica Survey.
The adults, young people and children who visit the ELMS Activity Hub are always eager to learn about the riveting countries around the world. Every month, members of the ‘Our World Group’ at the ELMS Activity Hub gather around a world map or spin a standing globe to choose a destination that they would like to learn about. This ignites or keep alight a sense of adventure and curiosity amongst the people who support, which is of particular importance for those individuals who may encounter complications or limitations when travelling long distances or abroad due to the nature of their disability.
Members of the ‘Our World Group’ most recently grabbed the helm and set off on a virtual trip to Antarctica together, an adventure known as ‘A Ticket to Antarctica’. The group turned ship crew had their names added an on-board time capsule stored on the RRS during its journey to Antarctica, which set forth on Sunday 13th October. Since then, they have been following its progress on the online ship tracker, and it has now successfully touched down at the Rothera Research Station in Antarctica!
Weekly messages have been keeping the ELMS crew informed about the ship’s location and the on-board crew’s activities, signalling to them the completion of each stage of the journey. The ELMS seafarers have received postcards featuring stories, photos, and videos of stunning frozen landscapes and artic wildlife that have gone down swimmingly, making the adventure as immersive as possible.
It all started with a TikTok video and a link to a free sign-up for a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Antarctica. Nicola Kerrod, Enrichment Manager at the ELMS and Bradbury Centre for Hollybank Trust, was among the first to register. Nicola was excited to bring her passion for education to this extraordinary voyage, commenting:
“Elms have been inspired by the RSS Sir David Attenborough’s awe-inspiring expedition to Antarctica. We hope to encourage others to embrace this spirit of exploration and discovery in their own lives.”
But that’s just the tip of the iceberg! The ELMS voyagers have been all-board with the activities set up by the ELMS team, such as drafting their own list of essential that they’d need to stock up on before setting off for the sea – think desert island discs except much colder! Voyagers have also made their own ice cubes for refreshments, crafted their own penguins in arts and crafts classes, and read topical stories, such as of Julia Donaldson’s The Snail and the Whale and Stick Man.
After pushing forth on their expedition and navigating icy waters, the ELMS crew have finally arrived in the beautiful Antarctica with new icicles of wisdom about life at sea! This is a big moment for our Hollybank seafarers, because their names in the time capsule have landed in the enamouring Antarctica! The time capsule will be handed over to the Station Leader at Rothera Research Station, and all those involved in the Ticket to Antarctica activity will get to see photos of the very moment when their names arrived…
Hollybank Trust is a registered Charity: 1043129
