News
Deptherapy awarded prestigious Trusted Charity Mark
Scuba Diving rehabilitation charity Deptherapy is delighted to announce that it has been awarded the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) Trusted Charity Mark. In an unprecedented award, Deptherapy is the first volunteer-managed and run charity ever to receive this Mark.
The award of the Trusted Charity Mark follows several months of rigorous and complex assessment in a process that is normally reserved for larger charities managed and operated by paid employees.
In order to receive the Mark, Deptherapy had to meet the criteria in eleven areas of the quality standard including Governance, Leadership and Management, Managing Money, and Working with Others.
The Assessor praised the “robust leadership” of Deptherapy’s close-knit Trustee Board, which “ensures that the charity is led with transparency and integrity.” He also said that the charity “has developed a very strong reputation as a world leader in adaptive scuba diving techniques and has developed clear and robust policies and procedures to ensure that the organisation is efficiently run and works to a very high standard.”
Daimon Haywood, Vice Chairman and Trustee of Deptherapy, said:
“Jim Lovell, the NASA astronaut said: “There are people who make things happen, there are people who watch things happen, and there are people who wonder what happened. To be successful, you need to be a person who makes things happen.” We are a charity built on a team that makes things happen. We have received the Trusted Charity Mark through sheer hard work and the dedication of an amazing team of volunteers who change lives.”
eptherapy Programme Members Andy Searle and Jon Beever taking part in a coral reef surveying and conservation course at Roots Red Sea. Photo – Dmitry Knyazev for Deptherapy.
Debra Lilley, who became President of Deptherapy in April 2019, said:
“When I was invited to be President of Deptherapy I first wanted to understand their governance; as a Chartered Director this is very important to me. Receiving the NCVO Trusted Charity Mark is official recognition of what I found: a charity run in a way others should absolutely aspire to match.”
The award of the Trusted Charity Mark comes just a month before the charity undertakes its largest expedition yet to the Red Sea with a team of 30 divers travelling to Roots in El Quseir to undertake Open Water Training and Continuing Education up to Adaptive Teaching & Divemaster level.
The team will be joined on this trip by four people from outside the charity who will be undertaking the Deptherapy Education Pros’ Course. Also joining the group are three British instructors, one from Egypt and two from Saudi Arabia, together with photographer Dmitry Knyazev.
On 28th May, Programme Member Tom Oates, accompanied by Deptherapy’s Chairman Richard Cullen, will deliver a presentation to the Board of the Royal Foundation’s Endeavour Fund. Tom and Richard will talk about Team Deptherapy’s commitment to ‘giving back’, with particular reference to the Protecting our Oceans project and how this is being further developed and enhanced.
The Deptherapy Board wishes to thank the Confederation of British Service Charities (COBSEO) for its support during the Trusted Charity Mark assessment process.
For more information about the work of Deptherapy and Deptherapy Education visit www.deptherapy.co.uk.
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The IR-50 is the top regulator for advanced and experienced divers. Natural breathing is the essence of this regulator.
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Renowned anti-whaling activist Paul Watson has been released from custody in Greenland after spending five months in detention. Denmark’s Justice Ministry rejected Japan’s request for his extradition, citing insufficient guarantees that his time already served in custody would be credited against any potential sentence.
The 74-year-old Canadian-American was arrested on July 21 in Nuuk, Greenland’s capital, when his ship docked to refuel. His arrest was based on a 2012 Japanese warrant related to a 2010 encounter in Antarctic waters. Japan alleged Watson obstructed operations and caused damage to a whaling research ship during efforts to disrupt illegal whaling. Watson has consistently denied these claims, maintaining his commitment to marine conservation.
Denmark, which oversees extradition matters for Greenland, concluded that while the legal conditions for extradition were met, the lack of assurances from Japan regarding time-served credit made extradition untenable.
In a video shared by his foundation, Watson expressed gratitude and relief, saying, “After five months, it’s good to be out… and good to know they’re not sending me to Japan.” He added that the most difficult part of his time in custody was being separated from his two young sons.
Watson is a pioneering figure in marine conservation, known for founding the Captain Paul Watson Foundation in 2022 after decades of activism with the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society. His bold efforts to defend marine life have earned him widespread support, including from celebrities and conservationists. His work has also been featured in the acclaimed reality TV series Whale Wars.
Watson’s lawyer, Jonas Christoffersen, praised the decision, stating, “We are happy and relieved that Paul Watson is now free.” He added that Watson is eager to reunite with his family and continue his vital work.
The arrest occurred while Watson’s vessel, the M/Y John Paul DeJoria, was en route to the North Pacific with a team of 26 volunteers to intercept a Japanese whaling ship. His foundation described the arrest as politically motivated and emphasized that Watson’s actions were focused on ending illegal whaling practices.
Japan resumed commercial whaling in 2019 after leaving the International Whaling Commission, asserting that whale meat is a cultural tradition. Conservationists, however, continue to challenge these practices, highlighting their impact on marine ecosystems.
Despite the challenges, Watson remains steadfast in his mission to protect marine life and bring attention to whaling practices. His dedication to ocean conservation has made him a globally respected advocate for the environment.
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