ABOUT THE VIKING BOAT Co.

The Viking Boat Co. (formerly Plane Sailing for Heroes) is a CIC situated in the heart of Darlington and benefits from an excellent network of road and mainline rail connectivity with the surrounding area.

Our Purpose

Our purpose is to help ex-military personnel develop mental resilience and coping strategies to counter the effects of PTSD, anxiety, stress, loneliness, and isolation sustained due to military service. We offer reintegration into a society from which many feel excluded and abandoned and develop active and fulfilling lives. We operate in a familiar, inclusive, non-judgemental, and supportive environment.

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Veterans

Our wide range of woodwork and boatbuilding tuition and participation is designed to develop practical skills through involvement in long term exciting projects.  By investing our time, often on a one-to-one basis, we can improve concentration levels and skills whilst enhancing self-esteem and confidence. Our beneficiaries, who were formerly highly trained skilled and functional, have suffered a ‘disconnect’ of varying degrees and our empathetic training methods and techniques empower and inspire them on a journey of committed progress.

The Team

In addition to our Directors, Bob and Martin, and volunteers we have an established Board of Trustees who provide oversight and direction in decision-making, scrutiny, and support.

Bob Marshall

CEO

Allan Taylor

Technical Director

Colin Laycock

Director

Kevan Blackburn

Director

Our Work

Our current project is to complete the build of a 30-foot Viking longboat, using a mixture of traditional heritage skills and modern techniques, which on completion will showcase their skills and abilities.

Frequently Asked Questions

We help ex-military personnel develop mental resilience and coping strategies to counter the effects of PTSD, anxiety, stress, loneliness, and isolation sustained due to military service.

Learn More…

As a Community Interest Company, all courses are funded. The veteran pays nothing for our services. The only thing you will have to cover is accommodation.

Our courses are open-ended as we operate on a roll-on, roll-off system. You can start and finish whenever you like!

We can provide standard amenities such as tea and coffee. There are numerous cafés locally for reasonably-priced food.