Equality, Diversity & Inclusion eLearning in Sailing
Overview
The Royal Yachting Association (RYA) partnered with First Media to create a bespoke Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) eLearning module that feels relevant to life on the water and delivers an engaging learning experience across desktop and mobile devices.
Designed for a diverse boating community, the module has the potential to reach up to 270,000 learners across 1,500 affiliated clubs, supporting a consistent approach to inclusion throughout the UK and internationally.
The challenge
RYA wanted to move beyond traditional compliance training and create an Equality, Diversity and Inclusion learning experience that genuinely resonated with its boating community. The module needed to:
- Feel modern, vibrant and engaging - different from previous learning materials.
- Reflect real-life sailing and boating situations so learners could apply EDI principles with confidence.
- Work seamlessly across desktop, tablet and mobile devices, allowing learners to access training wherever they are.
Our approach
Drawing on our experience designing engaging, scenario-based learning, we focused on making EDI practical, relevant and memorable through:
- Scenario-led learning that connects key concepts to situations learners genuinely recognise.
- Reflection activities that encourage learners to think, decide and apply their understanding.
- Authentic video content featuring RYA colleagues, reinforcing the organisation's commitment to creating a more inclusive boating community.
Rather than presenting EDI as a set of policies, we designed learning that helps people understand how inclusion influences everyday interactions on and around the water.
The solution
Bringing EDI to life through realistic scenarios
We designed a bright, contemporary learning experience using our bespoke development framework, ensuring a smooth experience across desktop and mobile devices.
Every topic is linked to realistic sailing and yachting situations, helping learners understand how Equality, Diversity and Inclusion applies in everyday practice. By placing learners in familiar scenarios, they can explore different perspectives, consider the impact of their decisions and build confidence in responding appropriately.
Throughout the module, learners are encouraged to pause, reflect and make decisions, transforming EDI from a compliance topic into something practical and meaningful.
Authentic voices that build credibility
To make the learning feel personal and credible, we produced bespoke video content featuring people from across the RYA, sharing their experiences and perspectives.
These videos explore:
- Different Equality, Diversity and Inclusion challenges experienced within boating.
- The RYA's commitment to creating a welcoming and inclusive community.
- The impact inclusive behaviours can have on individuals, clubs and the wider sport.
Alongside these personal stories, inspirational video content demonstrates the positive difference inclusive environments can make, encouraging learners to reflect on the role they can play within their own clubs and communities.
The outcome
The result is a fresh, contemporary Equality, Diversity and Inclusion eLearning experience that feels relevant to the realities of boating and yachting rather than generic compliance training.
Designed for use across up to 1,500 affiliated clubs, the module has the potential to reach 270,000 learners, providing a consistent learning experience that supports a more inclusive boating community across the UK and internationally.
What RYA said
"'First Media have provided us with a contemporary, vibrant and fresh e-learning module - different to anything we have done before. The First Media team have been professional and friendly throughout the whole process, with communication being upheld to the highest regard. We are so excited to get our very first Equality, Diversity and Inclusion e-learning out to our boating community and support a more connected network on the water''" Issy Hamlett, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Officer
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