UNLOC Team Abseils the Spinnaker Tower for Youth Wellbeing
Six courageous individuals from team UNLOC will abseil Portsmouth’s iconic Spinnaker Tower in a shared mission to empower young people. You can support them directly – or even join them on the abseil yourself!
On the weekend of 21 – 22 June 2025, six members of the UNLOC team will undertake a daring 100-meter abseil down Portsmouth’s Spinnaker Tower. This exhilarating challenge aims to raise funds for Brighterway, the charity of the Hampshire and Isle of Wight NHS Foundation Trust, supporting initiatives that enhance mental health and wellbeing.
The Fearless Fundraisers
- Jessica Cowling is passionate about empowering young people to lead on healthcare issues. She believes that providing young individuals with the platform to test their ideas is one of the most empowering ways to help them build life skills and spark meaningful grassroots change.
- Ben Dowling emphasises the importance of enabling young people to test out their ideas with real funding. He sees this as a truly empowering way to help them develop essential life skills while addressing some of society’s biggest challenges through genuine youth-led grassroots campaigning. “The Unloc team of staff and young people is ready to take on the Spinnaker for a great cause that will see young people taking the lead on shaping healthcare in their areas,” Ben stated.
- Laura Zamburlini is driven by the belief that giving young people the platform to test their ideas is one of the most empowering ways to help them build life skills and spark meaningful grassroots change.
- Katie Williamson is motivated by the vision of young people becoming changemakers. She states, “Young people in Hampshire deserve access to opportunities to help them become Changemakers in our world!”
- Beth and Daisy Hunt: Beth, an UNLOC staff member, and her daughter Daisy, a member of UNLOC’s Youth Board, are taking on this challenge together.
Meet Beth and Daisy – UNLOC’s Mother-Daughter Abseiling Team
Among the team are UNLOC staff member Beth Hunt and her daughter Daisy, who serves on UNLOC’s Youth Board. They’ll face their nerves – and gravity – side by side.
“Daisy and I are nervous but excited to do this challenge together,” said Beth. “I have a fear of heights, but I’ve conquered it before – I’ve done high ropes, and even a bungee jump in New Zealand before I became a mum! I love new challenges and experiences, and when this opportunity came through UNLOC, we both said ‘yes’ right away.”
She adds, “I’m so pleased Daisy will be by my side as we abseil down the 100 metres of the Spinnaker Tower. It feels like we’re doing something bold for a really important cause, together.”
They’re supporting mental health initiatives like the Young Activators pilot, a BeeWell-funded project that trains young people to create and lead extracurricular activities aimed at reducing loneliness, building confidence, and improving wellbeing among peers in Portsmouth and surrounding areas.
You can support Beth and Daisy directly here.
Supporting the Young Activators Project
The funds raised from the Spinnaker Tower Abseil will directly support UNLOC’s Young Activators pilot project, backed by BeeWell.
This initiative empowers young people to design and lead extracurricular activities that address issues like loneliness, low physical activity, and gender imbalances in extracurricular access. By supporting peer-led projects, the program aims to equip young individuals with the tools to connect, lead, and thrive.
Take part in the Abseil Yourself!
Ever wanted to conquer your fear of heights while doing something with real social value? It’s not too late to enter yourself in the 2025 Brighterway Spinnaker Tower Abseil!
For a £50 registration fee, all equipment and support is provided – Brighterway simply asks that you raise as much money as you can. They’ve recommended a £500 minimum goal, although there’s no penalty for not achieving the target.
Register for the abseil here and learn more about the event here.
About Brighterway
Brighterway is dedicated to enhancing patient care across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. Their mission is to provide support for the NHS that goes beyond its core budget, funding projects that improve wellbeing, recovery, and independence for patients and staff.
Notable initiatives include providing Christmas gift bags to 780 inpatients across 65 hospital wards and units, and supporting the Social Inclusion Group, which helps individuals with complex mental health difficulties transition back into the community.
