Healing on the Water: Salute Her UK Partners with Turn to Starboard to Support Women Veterans

Falmouth, Cornwall

In a powerful fusion of sea and soul, Salute Her UK proudly partnered with Turn to Starboard, a charity that harnesses the healing power of sailing to support veterans. This groundbreaking collaboration brought together six remarkable women veterans and women who worked at sea, all survivors of Military Sexual Trauma (MST), for a transformative week on the shores of Falmouth.

Set against the backdrop of open water and coastal calm, the programme offered more than just respite; it became a sanctuary for reconnection, reflection, and renewal. These women, many of whom had never sailed before, stepped aboard not only as passengers but as participants in their own healing journeys. They were joined by women at sea, experienced female sailors and crew who offered mentorship, solidarity.

Throughout the week, the group engaged in trauma-informed creative workshops, peer-led support circles, and hands-on sailing experiences. The rhythm of the waves mirrored the rhythm of recovery: sometimes steady, sometimes turbulent, always moving forward. The deck of the boat became a space for storytelling, laughter, and quiet courage.

Together, these women charted new waters not just across the Cornish coast, but within themselves. They left with wind in their hair, salt on their skin, and a renewed sense of hope, trust, love, and life.

Led by project facilitator Nicole Dodds, the retreat blended the restorative waves of the ocean with Salute Her UK’s trauma-informed therapeutic expertise. Paddleboarding, swimming, and sailing offered moments of freedom and embodiment, while intensive group therapy sessions created space for deep emotional work.

“We wanted to marry the power of nature with the safety of structured healing,” said Nicole Dodds. “The sea can hold so many emotions, both positive and negative, in equal measure. It was the perfect container for these women to begin reclaiming themselves.”

Stones, Symbols, and Self-Discovery

One of the most moving exercises involved collecting stones from the beach and painting them. On one side, participants wrote negative words they’d internalised: “broken,” “invisible,” and “ liar.” On the other side, they painted affirmations, symbols of strength, or simply colour that felt like hope.

“It was strange how overwhelming it felt writing really upsetting words on the stone,” said one participant. “it felt like the words were weighing me down, just like when I was carrying all those pebbles in my pocket” “But flipping it over and seeing what I’d created reminded me I’m more than what trauma tried to make me believe.”

Participants kicked off the creative journey with a Personal Coat of Arms exercise, an invitation to step into self-reflection and reclaim their narratives. Each woman sketched a shield, carefully choosing colours, shapes, and symbols that spoke to their values: the strength of resilience, the open‑hearted grace of empathy, and courage. Around these images, they inscribed mottos, personal declarations of identity, survival, and hope, that would serve as anchors throughout the week.

When it came time to share, the atmosphere shifted into something almost sacred. One by one, the women held up their shields, speaking their truths aloud.

In that circle, the act of sharing became as powerful as the art itself. The women bore witness to one another’s stories, finding pieces of themselves reflected back in the symbols and mottos of their peers. It was a moment of mutual recognition, proof that even in the aftermath of trauma, solidarity and sisterhood can forge a space where healing begins to take root.

Moving into the Vision Board Circle, participants spread magazines, photographs, and coloured paper across the floor, selecting images and words that captured their deepest aspirations, whether it was rebuilding community, pursuing education, or simply finding moments of joy. One veteran remarked, “Seeing my dreams laid out visually gave them the possibility that I could do it; there was nothing stopping me, apart from me”, while another said, “Hearing everyone support me when I spoke my goal made me feel seen and believed in.”  This activity wove individual hopes into collective encouragement, solidifying bonds of trust and mutual empowerment.

 Unmasking and Reclaiming

In a session titled “Behind the Mask,” participants were invited to reflect on the personas they’ve worn to survive. Prompts like “What parts of myself do I show to others?” and “What parts do I keep hidden?” sparked honest, often emotional conversations.

“I realised I’ve been masking for years,” another veteran shared. “But here, in the group, I didn’t have to. I could just be me.”

Nicole emphasised the importance of marrying physical activity with emotional processing:

“Sailing teaches trust, teamwork.  Therapeutic interventions teach reflection, resilience, and reclaiming. Together, they offer a full-body experience of healing.”

 A Model for Future Retreats

The success of this pilot retreat has inspired plans for future collaborations between Salute Her UK and Turn to Starboard. Both organisations are committed to creating safe, empowering spaces for women veterans to heal not just from trauma, but from the isolation that often follows.

“This was the first time I felt seen in years,” said one participant. “Not as a victim. Not as a soldier. I don’t want to be seen as either of those things. I have been seen as just as me.”