Bernie’s Boat of Hope and his 3,000 mile solo Atlantic row
October 7, 2022
The incredible Bernie Hollywood is taking on a gruelling challenge to row solo, 3,000 miles across the Atlantic, with the goal of inspiring and encouraging more young people to speak openly about mental health. His journey across the Atlantic in a single rowing boat – appropriately named, the Boat of Hope – will act as a powerful metaphor for life’s ups and downs.
Bernie’s challenge begins in December, when he will participate in the renowned Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge, and he was keen to support Isle Listen and this message on the Island, after he learnt about the essential work we are doing to support the mental health and wellbeing of our Island’s young people.
One man; one boat; 3,000 miles of ocean
The challenge will push Bernie to extremes both physically and mentally, as he spends up to 90 days rowing completely unsupported across the Atlantic from San Sebastian in La Gomera, Canary Islands to Antigua & Barbuda in the Caribbean.
Bernie is passionate about encouraging young people to speak up about mental health worries, and by undertaking this challenge, which has also been made into a book and will be adapted to a TV series, he aims to raise tens of thousands of pounds for his chosen charities.
Bernie visited the Island with his Boat of Hope this week, and we had the pleasure of introducing him to many of the schools and their pupils we work with, to talk about his challenge and share his mental health message with young people. The theme of Bernie’s message is a core part of Isle Listen’s aim to remove the stigma surrounding mental health, and our wide-reaching mental health support and educational programme is equipping young people with the emotional resilience to deal with life’s stresses and setbacks.
Learn more
Our work is centred around early intervention and prevention; helping to avoid the unnecessary escalation of mental health problems.
We provide mental health support in schools through our low-level one-to-one Listening Service and wide-reaching educational programme, mental health training to equip people with the skills and resources to support someone struggling with their mental health, and a counselling service employee benefit for employers that offers support and advice on issues that might be impacting employee wellbeing and performance.
