A surprise guest made a sea-faring trip even more special for one Re-engage group recently. 

Friends and volunteers from the Re-engage Weymouth group climbed aboard for a thrilling two-hour catamaran trip around the Dorset coast under beautiful blue skies, thanks to local charity, MV Freedom. And it wasn't long before a dolphin joined them for part of the journey, ducking and diving beneath the 33ft accessible motor catamaran for several minutes. 

Group coordinator Sue Williams said: “It really was a magical experience and made a great addition to a fabulous event. Everyone absolutely loved the day out.” 

The day out, in brilliant sunshine, was organised after Sue invited volunteers from MV Freedom to deliver a talk at a Re-engage group meeting earlier this year. As well as encountering the dolphin, passengers enjoyed views of seals sunbathing on rocks as the catamaran made its way to Portland Bill and back to harbour. 

Sue, 68, began running the Weymouth group last year and has already gathered 12 older people and six volunteers. She and husband, Trevor, decided to volunteer for Re-engage after returning from Cyprus where they had lived for 16 years. 

Sue explained: “Most of our friends had moved on and so we were looking for something useful to do and which would get us among things again. We saw an ad for Re-engage and thought that would suit us - and it has. We both love running the group and are so glad we joined. 

“It’s been such a treat watching the older people gel and come out of their shells and to see their lovely personalities. It’s so rewarding. At one point it looked like the group might have to stop but I couldn’t bear to see that so stepped-in as coordinator.” 

As well as building a strong group, Sue has also set up great relationships with local organisations and is planning to set up more talks in the future. She also has excellent links with the local Asda community team who donate cakes for Re-engage tea parties and prizes for raffles. 

Sue added: “It’s such a good feeling to be working with the community like this. You can see how it brings joy to the older people.”