The Unicorn Preservation Society, the charity responsible for HMS Unicorn, Scotland’s oldest ship and beloved Dundee accredited museum, is calling for urgent financial support to secure the future of its Wavemakers volunteer programme. Since its launch in 2021, this initiative has transformed the lives of over 100 individuals, many with significant barriers to employment.
With £650,000 needed by end of April 2025 to unlock £10 million in critical grants to save the ship, the programme’s continued success is at stake. The Unicorn Preservation Society started the Wavemakers programme on HMS Unicorn, one of the oldest ships in the world still afloat, as a means of offering life-changing volunteer opportunities to individuals facing barriers to employment.
The Wavemakers programme provides structured, supported volunteer placements, allowing participants to gain valuable skills, build confidence, and transition into further education or employment. Unusually for a museum, 43% of volunteers in 2024 were aged 16-24, with 57% of volunteers identifying as living with a disability and 55% unemployed at the start of their placements.
In 2024, 56 volunteers donated 2,119 hours of service to the historic ship, helping with the maintenance of the 200-year-old vessel and enhancing the experience for the 10,000 plus visitors who boarded the ship last year.
Dr Andrew Tibbs, Chief Executive of the Unicorn Preservation Society, said: “The Wavemakers programme has proven that heritage projects can drive real social change. But without urgent funding, we won’t be able to expand and offer these vital opportunities to more people who need them.”
Doug Gowans, 40, from Dundee has been volunteering at HMS Unicorn for over four years. He said: “I’ve lived with severe agoraphobia for a large proportion of my adult life, and volunteering aboard HMS Unicorn has been instrumental in my recovery. I was referred to HMS Unicorn by Project Scotland as part of a programme to help people with health barriers develop skills and experience for returning to work. Volunteering on board HMS Unicorn has definitely been a turning point in my life.
“During my time on board I have made great strides in learning to talk to the public, working as part of a team, and learning the logistics and day to day operation of working in a museum environment. This was one of the main factors that helped me secure my new job at the V&A. I would not be happily employed now had it not been for the support of HMS Unicorn’s team, and the confidence they helped me to recover.”
Tony Walker, 48, joined as a volunteer in 2022, and is now employed by the Unicorn Preservation Society as Operations Officer at HMS Unicorn. He said: “I started volunteering to help my own personal journey after a long period of physical and mental health issues. I was referred through a charity who helped me decide it would be a great place for me to gain some new skills and help me get back to being a positive and active person once again. This has been a series of learning processes from some great members of staff who have taught me a lot and supported me through my journey at my own pace. They have also helped my mental wellbeing by being friendly, constantly positive and listening to my ideas for making the ship a better environment for everyone.”
Dr Andrew Tibbs added: “HMS Unicorn’s role extends far beyond its status as a historical attraction, through successful programmes like Wavemakers it has become a vital community hub, supporting individuals from diverse backgrounds. The ship is actively tackling social exclusion, providing an effective pathway to employment, and improving mental well-being.
“Our desire is to extend our volunteering programme through the creation of a heritage centre in Dundee, part of Project Safe Haven, which will see HMS Unicorn safely moved to dry dock and ultimately saved for future generations to enjoy. However, to achieve this vision and embark on the first stage of this process we need to raise £650,000 by end of April 2025 which will then unlock £10 million of strategic grants to save this national treasure. We urgently need the support of individuals, businesses, and organisations to raise the finance needed to support the further expansion of Wavemakers, ensuring more people can benefit from the programme’s transformational impact.”
Project Safe Haven is one of the most ambitious maritime conservation projects in Scotland. To donate to help the Unicorn Preservation Society raise the necessary £650,000 by end of April 2025 to unlock £10 million of critical funding, please visit: www.hmsunicorn.org.uk
