British scuba diving rehabilitation charity Deptherapy has announced its intention to close next year.
Last month, the organization’s Board of Trustees met to discuss the future of the Deptherapy and Deptherapy Education Charity.
“A path to closure was sadly agreed that will see the charity formally end its operation with effect from midnight on 31st August 2023, the end of the charity’s 2022–2023 financial year.”
Two major issues have forced the decision to close, according to Deptherapy:
“1, the inability to recruit sufficient beneficiaries to maintain a viable graduated diving qualification pathway; and 2, the lack of a sustainable income stream, in which public giving has been replaced by an increased dependency on grant funding. The charity also cites the negative impact of the Coronavirus Pandemic on both recruitment and fundraising.”
Until the closure at the end of August 2023, Deptherapy is committed to continuing the charity’s scheduled programs, which includes a training expedition to Roots Red Sea in October 2022 for new beneficiaries, as well as those already on developmental courses.
The charity is also hosting a Deptherapy Retreat in Sheffield in November 2022 for beneficiaries, partners and relatives. The Retreat will see the launch of the Deptherapy Mental Awareness Course, part of the legacy that the charity will leave when it finally closes its doors next August.
Deptherapy Chairman Richard Cullen said:
“I speak for the Board when I say that we are immensely proud of all that Deptherapy and its beneficiaries have achieved since the charity’s formation in 2014. As an organization and individuals, we leave a huge footprint in terms of Adaptive Teaching on the Scuba Diving industry globally. Most importantly, we leave a legacy of lives saved and transformed. Our beneficiaries will remain front and centre of our work over the coming period as they have always been. Deptherapy is also committed to ensuring the benefits of our programs and experience will remain accessible and sustainable for the future.”
For more info about the closure, go to deptherapy.co.uk.
