A group of young people from Buckinghamshire completed a transformative exploration voyage along the South Coast of England, thanks to the generous support of The Clare Foundation. The voyage, which took place from 13 to 17 October, provided an unforgettable experience for the group, aged 14-17, who are from the Buckinghamshire-based charity Youth Concern.

The young adventurers set sail from Portsmouth’s Gunwharf Quays Marina aboard one of the Tall Ships Youth Trust’s (TSYT) 72ft Challenger vessels. These yachts — famous for having sailed twice round the world as part of the Global Challenge Races — served as the perfect platform for the group to develop a range of new skills and life experiences.

During the four-day voyage, the participants engaged in various activities, including steering the yacht, handling sails, managing ropes, and ensuring the safety of everyone onboard. They also handled daily chores such as food preparation and cleaning, gaining valuable lessons in teamwork and responsibility.

The voyage, fully funded through The Clare Foundation’s Angels Den award, aimed to boost the young people’s confidence, self-esteem, and communication skills.

Tappa-Kaie Caldwell, a youth worker and staff member from Youth Concern who accompanied the group, reflected on the experience, saying: “It’s been an amazing four-day sail. This voyage truly empowered these young people to push themselves mentally and physically outside their comfort zone. I had one young person from my youth centre who I watched grow in front of my eyes from day one to day four, seeing him push through himself and work to improve his social skills. Our TSYT crew, including the Skipper, Mate, and Watch Leader, were incredible. A big thank you to The Clare Foundation for making this experience possible year after year.”

Watch a video testimional from Tappa here 

The Clare Foundation, founded by Mike Clare in 2009, has supported several four-night voyages with TSYT and has now supported TSYT through its first-ever Angels Den initiative. The foundation collaborates with key partners, businesses, and charitable organisations to create positive change across Buckinghamshire.

Mike Clare, Founder and Chairman of The Clare Foundation, expressed his pride in supporting the voyage: “We believe in giving young people in Buckinghamshire the chance to explore, challenge themselves, and embark on exciting adventures—opportunities that foster happiness and personal growth. That’s why we’re thrilled to support this group from Youth Concern on their Exploration Voyage with the Tall Ships Youth Trust.”

He added: “This experience allows them to step outside their daily routines, build self-confidence, and develop critical life skills. We love witnessing how these adventures inspire growth, create meaningful connections with peers, and forge lifelong friendships. We’re proud to contribute to something with such a lasting impact on these young people, and we look forward to seeing how this incredible journey helps shape their futures.”

Ali Renn, Head of Fundraising and Marketing at TSYT, praised the ongoing relationship with The Clare Foundation, commenting: “We are so grateful to have the support of The Clare Foundation once again, helping to provide this unique opportunity for young people from Buckinghamshire. Seeing how the young people embrace these challenges and grow from the experience is incredibly rewarding.”

During their time on board, the young people also built new friendships as they discovered their potential to overcome challenges. They documented their experiences through daily blog entries, offering a glimpse into their thoughts on life at sea. These personal reflections are available to read online here.