The Boat of Hope Campaign
We talked to Bernie Hollywood QBE JP, Boat of Hope Campaign Founder to find out about the work he and his team are doing to enable mental health awareness and wellness.
Tell us about the Boat of Hope campaign
Bernie Hollywood: The mission of our Boat of Hope campaign is a simple one. It aims to open up a conversation about depression with early years children, adolescents (young adults), parents, guardians, caregivers and teachers in order to destigmatize depression.
The first step to recovery and support is to have a conversation about this with your child. The campaign will achieve help this by using the creative arts and an adventure in a very unique and engaging way.
What is the problem to be solved?
Bernie Hollywood: Depression is a real and treatable medical condition. However, it remains to be stigmatized by society. Occasional sadness or feelings of hopeless are a part of every child’s life, yet persistent sadness and hopelessness are signs of depression.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), depression is one of the primary causes of illness and disability among adolescents.
Childhood and adolescence are critical stages of life for mental health. This is the time when rapid growth and development take place in the brain. Cognitive and social-emotional skills shape their future mental health and are important for adult roles in society.
The consequences of not addressing early years and adolescents mental health conditions extend to adulthood, impairing both physical and mental health limiting opportunities to lead fulfilling lives as adults.
Mental health is an essential part of our total health and happiness.
It impacts the way we think, feel, and act. It also influences how we deal with stress, interact with people, and make good decisions. Mental health is vital at all stages of life, especially childhood, adolescence, and maturity.
Who will benefit from the campaign? How will the campaign help?
Bernie Hollywood: The campaign will benefit a range of individuals. The campaign is designed to help early years children (5 -11 years), young adults (12 - 18 years), parents, guardian, caregiver and teachers.
The two year campaign will help in a number of ways. #BoatofHope murals, youth stories, and creative media, and an adventure will help destigmatize depression and inspire those at risk to get help. Authors, actors, singers, musicians, sports professionals, and artists have teamed up for the two year campaign that will culminate with a 3,000 mile Atlantic Ocean journey.
Youth Stories
Bernie Hollywood: The campaign is enabling and prompting youth to tell their stories of overcoming depression. People will benefit from hearing the stories of youth depression through the eyes of young adults currently going through this.
Young adults who have recovered will tell their stories of the help they receive from the support of their family, friends and mental health support agencies.
Murals of Hope
Bernie Hollywood: The campaign began with a nationwide children’s competition. They were asked to express what ‘hope’ is in an image, poem or word. The winning artwork or words will be placed on the Atlantic Journey’s #BoatofHope by artist Justin Eagleton. Musician Ben Hughes has scored the music to will be played for an interactive experience.
In December 2022, I will row the #BoatofHope solo across the Atlantic Ocean. The 42 foot boat will include the children’s and student’s murals on the outside of the boat.
Creative Media
Bernie Hollywood: A children’s book titled ‘Bernie and Boatie’ was written to help the conversation about mental health and tell the Atlantic Ocean adventure. The book was written and developed by Natalie Reeves-Billing, a children’s author.
Bernie and Boatie will help younger children (5-11 years) begin to explore and hear how life's ups and downs can be challenging, but with the support of others they will become a stronger person for this.
The Bernie and Boatie children's book is being produced into an audiobook and animation so we can reach more children around the world with this incredibly engaging story of hope.
We have an incredibly talented team of individuals in addition to the book’s author, Natalie Reeves-Billing.
Former Spice Girl Melanie C is the lead narrator for the animated teaser trailer. Melanie C has a history of philanthropy and charity work.
Actor and Doctor Who star Sacha Dhawan concluded the trailer with a vital call to action.
Ben Hughes created the original soundtrack, and Lisa Williams created the illustrations.
A musical sea shanty song has been composed for our campaign called "Up and Down Heart" which will engage children and adults in a very special enchanting musical way.
Atlantic Ocean Journey
Bernie Hollywood: In December 2022, I will row solo across the Atlantic Ocean in the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge Race.
I will complete a journey of 3,000 miles, which may take up to 90 days alone at sea. More people have been into space than have rowed the Atlantic Ocean solo. It is a mammoth task.
Our boat - the #BoatofHope - will be a unique and inspiring floating work of art. It will be like that never have been seen before and tells the story through a 42ft long mural called "hope" that will captivate all that see it.
You can learn more about the #BoatofHope Atlantic Ocean journey at: https://www.boatofhope.com/boat-of-hope-the-documentary
What communities and/or schools are you working with?
Bernie Hollywood: Although our campaign is based in the UK, we aim to reach communities globally. Depression can effect us all. It does not distinguish between rich and poor, color or creed.
We are touring the UK with our #BoatOfHope in Summer of 2022 and opening a 6 week installation / exhibition on children's depression at the Liverpool Cathedral in June 2023 which will include talks on depression to school children, an exhibition of children's artwork on what they feel hope means to them, reading of our book and talks form mental health youth agencies, with our #BoatOfHope on display too.
We are reaching out to over 6,500 schools within the UK, the armed forces within the UK - Royal Air Force, Royal Navy and Army, and will extend this worldwide. Our campaign plans to reach a global audience of over 950 million people when I row our #
BoatOfHope solo across the Atlantic Ocean.
How has the pandemic affected the campaign, and how are you overcoming the challenges?
Bernie Hollywood: The pandemic has amplified the need for early years children and young adults that need support with their mental health.
Describe your team. Who are the people and businesses helping you?
Bernie Hollywood: I have assembled an incredibly talented group of people. Our team includes individuals from the creative arts: music, literature, film making, IT, painting & digital art, and PR along. We have an incredible supporting business ParentPay that provides online payment solutions to parents within the UK to over 6,500 schools in the UK and also across Europe.
How can other people and businesses help or donate to the campaign?
Bernie Hollywood: Yes, firstly we ask individual people to have a conversation with their child about depression and for businesses to create the right environment to do this with their employees.
Secondly, you can donate to the #BoatofHope campaign that will support children's health and wellbeing by going to our website at: https://boatofhope.enthuse.com/profile
How can people learn more about and follow the campaign?
Bernie Hollywood: Go to www.boatofhope.com
Tell us about you, your career, how you started the campaign.
Bernie Hollywood: I have been involved in the third sector of over 40 years and have raised over $60 million dollars for my charities during this time, you can see more on how I achieve this by going to: www.berniehollywood.com
I started the campaign because I experienced the pain and heartache within my family of young adult depression. If our campaign can open a conversation between a child and their parent, guardian, caregiver or teacher in the early years, and in doing so help them find the support they need, we will have achieved our goal.
Why did you start charity work? What made you first interested?
Bernie Hollywood: My parents, whom I lost very early in my life almost 40 years ago, were the most caring and giving folks you could ask for. Even though they had no material wealth, they gave away what they had to people in need within our community. My mother told me very early on in my life that to give is to receive - and she was so right. I began my journey on the passing of my parents and continue to give of myself to this very day.
What advice would you give for someone interested in starting charity work or creating a non-profit?
Bernie Hollywood: Do it. It will be tough to begin with, but surround yourself with the very best people you can and go for it.
Your final thoughts.
"Bernie Hollywood: Be the difference that makes a difference".
Paul Douglas, Contributor
Paul Douglas is passionate about helping people, businesses, and communities. As GovOneStop CEO and Founder, his vision is to improve the quality of life globally through better awareness and easier access to government and related non-profit information, resources and services.