Can a week on board a sail training vessel really change your life? People sometimes wonder what difference can really be made in such a short time; but anyone involved in sail training will have stories about young people whose prospects were transformed by the experience.
In recent years, parents and teachers have seen a surge in teenage mental health problems, particularly anxiety, which can drastically limit the chances of a young person leaving school with the qualifications and social skills to move forward in life and fulfil their potential. So can sail training tackle this issue?
In 2024, Ocean Youth Trust South ran a school voyage including a student who was only attending a couple of days a week, on a very reduced curriculum, because she wasn’t coping with anything more. The only subject she really liked was sport – so the school persuaded her to sign up for sailing. The voyage, and particularly the friendships formed on board, gave her the confidence to start attending full-time, which she has sustained for two complete terms since coming sailing. She can now tackle as many GCSE subjects as anyone else, with her results and achievements determined by her ability not her anxiety. Her voyage may have helped to change everything for her future.
But this was only possible because OYT South was able to subsidise her voyage – otherwise she could never have afforded to take part. Every time the Whirlwind Trust makes a donation, such as helping us to buy a new sail, that’s a cost that doesn’t need to be passed on to the people booking our voyages. The Whirlwind Trust helps us to keep our vessel Prolific in a good and safe condition so that we can run as many voyages and help as many young people as possible – and, crucially, keep our voyages affordable. When that makes all the difference to whether someone successfully completes their education, that’s priceless. Thank you!
Nineteen young people with Microphthalmia, Anophthalmia and Coloboma (MACS), aged 10–18, attended an accessible residential trip at Calvert Trust, Lake District. Participants benefitted from a full week of outdoor adventure and specialist 1:1 care – enabling everyone to take part regardless of need. Activities included cycling, climbing, canoeing, bushcraft, swimming, and archery, tailored for children with vision loss and complex needs. 100% of attendees reported feeling more confident, accepted, and less isolated; 88% saw improved wellbeing and new friendships. Thanks to improved staff expertise and inclusive programming, members left inspired and empowered – keen to return next year.
With thanks to a donation from Whirlwind, Wild Elements will deliver another A Day in the Life of a Marine Ecologist project following a highly successful pilot in 2019. The project which will take place on North-West Wales beaches aims to engage approximately 220 children and 20 adults from local primary schools and Pupil Referral Units.
The 2020 programme of Portsmouth Sail Training Trust will reach 120 young people from disadvantaged communities in Portsmouth. The year-long programme provides opportunities for young people who are disengaged or struggling in a traditional academic environment to experience maritime training both through sailing and power boat sessions. They will work towards RYA qualifications such as Keelboat, Powerboat and Day skipper levels as well as First Aid and engine Maintenance. All of the young people participating receive mentoring from the PSTT volunteers and ‘Graduates’ of our programme exhibit increased confidence, improved self-awareness, increased aspirations and improved teamwork. All life skills which help them to re-engage with education and access employment opportunities in the marine sector.
CHICKS provides free respite breaks for children from desperately disadvantaged backgrounds. They may be experiencing poverty, abuse, domestic violence, bereavement and housing issues. Thanks to the Whirlwind Charitable Trust, these children are able to enjoy a fantastic water sports adventure! Since this is usually the first time many of the young people have had this opportunity it has a huge impact – here are some quotes from recent water rafting activities:
Every sailing season, Sea Cadets offers young people a chance to go on an exhilarating adventure sailing around the coasts of the UK. The challenging and immersive environment of Sea Cadets’ Offshore Voyages is a splendid way of getting young people to work as a team, communicate and take responsibility. The experience and the characteristics gained could last a lifetime and can prepare them for whatever challenges life throws at them. As income often decides what experiences a young person can have, life building adventures such a this can exclude the marginalised in our society. Thanks to the Whirlwind Charitable Trust, 35 young people from low-income backgrounds can take part in this amazing journey. An adventure that would leave a lifelong impression.
Ocean Youth Trust South offers sailing voyages as a personal development opportunity for young people aged 11-25 from the widest possible variety of backgrounds – many of them disadvantaged and vulnerable – to develop things like confidence, teamworking and resilience. Our vessel Prolific has a fire pump which doubles as a bilge pump, and is an essential item of safety equipment; but it is old and increasingly unreliable, and spare parts are often not available. Thanks to a donation from Whirlwind, we can buy and fit a new fire pump which will help ensure safe sailing for hundreds of young people for many years to come.
Disability doesn’t always mean inability. HCUK promotes inclusive sailing for all, rewarding everyone physically, mentally and socially, welcoming everyone to the wonderful world of sailing, encouraging disabled people to take on this challenge. Sailing has an enriching and positive impact on the many disabled people who enjoy the advantages and benefits of this stimulating sport. Many disabled sailors would like to take part in sailing events but are unable to do so, either because they don’t own a boat, or don’t have the means to transport a borrowed ‘club’ boat. With support from Whirlwind we have set up a fully-equipped Mobile Support Unit that we can take to events throughout the UK, to provide the essential resources to enjoy sailing.
The Excelsior Trust formed in 1983 to take on the restoration and maintenance of Excelsior, an historic Lowestoft Sailing Trawler. Today she provides a unique sailing experience to disadvantaged young people aged 13-18 which is challenging and unfamiliar to them, away from their everyday life.
Key4Life delivers innovative programmes to young men who are at risk of offending, or soon to be released from prison. Validated by the MoJ, the programme uses Emotional Resilience, employability, mentoring and ongoing support. Key4Life participants are four times more likely to be in employment one year post-release and half as likely to reoffend than non-participants.
Groups of young people from a range of backgrounds including those with special educational needs, experiencing deprivation, social exclusion or other disadvantage join us as members of their care groups for five days residentially at sea aboard a Thames sailing barge.
The Secchi Disk study is the largest, global marine citizen science study conducted by seafarers 
2019 is Vision of Adventure’s first year of operating independently. We are excited to be running 14 courses and events for our visually impaired participants. Its really hard for visually impaired adults to find opportunities to pursue activities at a level beyond the beginner/ Introductory level. We are delighted to be able to work with people to develop them as climbers, cavers and canoeists. Thanks to support from the Whirlwind Trust, 6 visually impaired climbers and 5 visually impaired canoeists will be able to build their skills and independence in these sports. They will receive support before and after their courses to help them get the most from the experience.
The Voyage of Discovery scheme is an essential aspect of Cirdan’s work which focuses on providing a service for disadvantaged young people. The young people and few special needs adults who participate in Cirdan’s Voyage of Discovery aboard it’s small fleet of off-shore sailing vessels face disadvantage in their lives. This mainly relates to social deprivation and special needs but also includes exclusion from mainstream education and society and other forms of vulnerability.
Seashell Trust supports children and young people with complex learning disabilities and additional communication needs from across the UK.
Endeavour is working with extremely marginalized young people who have very few opportunities to make their lives better. We use water based activities as a platform to develop their personal skills. By participating in canoeing and kayaking, young people build their self-esteem through a sense of achievement “Wow, I got across the lake, fantastic!” and build resilience if achievement is attained after several failed attempts “I’m glad I kept trying, and now I did it – great”. The key focus is to ensure they understand how to transfer these feelings of achievement into other areas of their life such as continuing to pursue education and get qualifications even if not succeeding on first attempt, and not to give up when rejected in job applications. This also offers the chance of just enjoying a fun activity and building friendships.
At Horizons we provide learning and educational opportunities for young people with additional needs. We aim to increase self-confidence and improve social and practical skills, through water-based activities that would normally be beyond the means of these children.
During June and July 2018 Treloar’s will take over 40 students sailing out of Port Solent on the accessible catamaran, Spirit of Scott Bader. The experience of sailing stretches our students by opening up a new environment which is very different from school, college or home.
We are completing the build of a new engine-less steel sailing barge that will deliver cargoes to wharves and other landings entirely under sail. Therefore, we are expanding our traditional work with deprived and disadvantaged young people and devising appropriate training courses in readiness.
Oarsome Chance is a ground-breaking charity that aims to bring about change for disadvantaged young people in the Portsmouth, Gosport and Havant areas by using the powerful combination of maritime sports with vocational training.
HRCST is extending its existing water-sports tuition to a group of young people who have a range of learning disabilities. The course will deliver 14 sailing/watersports sessions.
Dynamic Moves, our 2018 climbing programme for local families with limited economic means, is moving forward thanks to support from the Whirlwind Charitable Trust. Here in Upper Clydesdale, there is a real, unmet need for healthy recreational activities that are available to parents and their children. This project will enable Wiston Lodge to purchase crucial climbing equipment and to hold three courses for local families.
Imagine the thrill of riding a pony for a young person who can feel and hear but has no sight, or of sailing a dinghy fast on a sunny breezy day when you are normally limited to the speed of your wheelchair.
Our 2017 ‘Spirit of Adventure’ project for adults with a visual impairment has been expanded and developed year on year with our beneficiaries at its heart. Adults with a disability do not have the same opportunities as others to take part in adventurous activities due to the specialist equipment, expertise and staffing levels required.
Thanks to the generosity of The Whirlwind Charitable Trust, we will provide day sails and two residential voyages to disadvantaged young people from Plymouth. Sailing is an excellent platform for the development of personal and practical skills.
Sea-Change works to educate young people and vulnerable adults through sailing aboard a Thames sailing barge, developing their physical, mental and social capabilities so they may grow to full maturity as individuals and members of society with, in many cases, their conditions of life improved.
Bude October Trip: an opportunity for young inner city kids to have a taste of being out of the city for a week, doing a range of activities – principally kayak surfing but also including the opportunity to surf, do nature walks, cook their own meals and learn about planning and organisation of the trip.
With the support of a generous grant from Whirlwind, Ocean Youth Trust Scotland will deliver its ground breaking ‘On Course with Cashback’ programme to 288 young people over the next three years. This programme will target those young who live in some of the most deprived areas in Scotland using sail training as a catalyst for positive change. These youngsters are ‘at risk’ of falling through the system and are not in employment, education, or training. The grant from Whirlwind will specifically support two voyages for twenty young people from North Ayrshire and Midlothian in September 2017. During the voyage, the novice sailors will gain nationally accredited qualifications, learn life skills, and improve their communication and problem-solving skills.
We will be taking a group of young people aged 14-16, for a five day residential experiencing a range of outdoor learning and coastal exploration activities. Opportunities will include shelter building, fire lighting, outdoor cooking, rock pool exploration and a day at the farm. Students will be encouraged to practise independence skills and be involved with cooking their own meals etc. Without the donation from Whirlwind this opportunity would be beyond reach as student needs mean that they require small groups, appropriate activities and high levels of support. Thanks to the kind donation we will be offering twelve young people an opportunity that includes challenge and the development of personal skills. We are looking forward to offering this amazing opportunity.
Venture Trust is a Scottish-based UK charity which achieves transformational impact by delivering personal development programmes in the wilderness of Scotland and in communities – challenging people to discover their strengths, explore new ways of thinking and enabling them to see their potential differently.
CHICKS provides free, week-long respite breaks in the countryside for some of the UKs most disadvantaged children. CHICKS aims to provide these children with a break full of positivity and excitement, where they can make new friends and create happy childhood memories.
On the 4th October 2016 Hurricane Mathew, a category 4 storm, violently struck Haiti causing significant displacement across the country. Over a period of 4 months, ShelterBox distributed 2,805 Shelter Kits and Non-Food Item kits to affected households in rural communities, supporting over 14,000 people.