Formed in 1956, we’re the UK’s oldest and largest youth development and outdoor learning charity.
We sail all-year round, and empowering young people aged 12–25 (particularly those from disadvantaged background), to increase their life-chances on our transformational voyages.
We achieve this via our three-voyage programme of Exploration, Empowerment and Leadership. This innovative approach combines outdoor learning in an ocean environment, with personal and social development, and practical life skills through a series of increasingly longer and more challenging residential voyages.
During a voyage, young people work together as a team, grow in confidence and self-esteem and see a significant improvement in their communication and leadership skills.
They gain a range of skills, which can be transferred to their day-to-day lives to help them overcome any barriers and thrive.
Tasks onboard, include setting and stowing sails, helming, rope work, navigation, meteorology, repairing and maintaining equipment, as well as cooking and cleaning.
A society where all young people strive to create better outcomes for themselves and for their communities
Out on the ocean we empower young people to realise their full potential, supporting them on their journey to adulthood and for some, careers in the maritime sector and the blue economy
Enabling young people, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds, to change their lives at sea and contribute to the maritime sector and the blue economy
Challenges they face include:
We work with many youth groups and agencies including YMCA, Scouts, Girlguides, schools, special needs schools, pupil referral units, youth offending teams, young carers, police and The Prince’s Trust.
We also support parents and guardians, helping them access our voyage opportunities so their children or young people can get on board and fully benefit from our programmes.
We accommodate those with special educational needs and disabilities; from varying degrees of learning difficulty, to young people with fine motor coordination and social interaction challenges.
Most importantly, none of the young people that come on our youth voyages need to have ever set foot on a boat before.
We bring together crews of different social backgrounds and nationalities to promote understanding, teamwork and friendship onboard. They work together in an occasionally tough, but safe, environment, through storms, wet weather and living in very close quarters.
Whether they’re navigating during particularly rough conditions or baking for a crew of 10 in a tiny galley kitchen, they learn life skills that can’t be taught on land, where it can be all too easy just to walk away!
Our voyage experiences are shaped by our values, and designed to be nurturing and inclusive, positive and challenging, and about striving for social change.
Throughout a voyage, our sailing staff and volunteers share their life lessons and experiences and act as positive role models for the young people. They grow in their ability to create and develop positive relationships with other young people and adults.
Up to 20% of the young people who sail with us are recommended to return and train as a volunteer, giving them the opportunity to support others and work towards a career in the maritime sector.
To support our charitable work, we run a programme of adventurous adult voyages, which provide an exhilarating journey that enables more young people to benefit from our life-changing youth development programme.
Were from a disadvantaged background or had a disability.
Believe they now work better in teams
Said they are now able to manage their feelings better
Believe their communication skills have improved
Returned home with increased confidence and self-esteem
returned home with improved leadership skills
*Outcomes based on survey responses from 74% of 626 young people who sailed on a residential voyage with us in 2021/22. In a typical year, we take 1,000 young people to sea.
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| Registration number: 567460 | Charity number: 314229
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