Tall Ships Youth Trust

We believe in equipping young people with the skills and behaviours they need to make positive life choices and to enable them to realise their true potential. Last year, we gave over 850 young people a life-changing experience, 80% of them told us so.

Disadvantaged young people now represent 78% of those we work with. Some of the issues our youngsters face includes learning difficulties, ADHD, motor co-ordination problems, visual and hearing impairments and social interaction problems. Many are also young carers. We also embark youth offenders, those involved in knife crime, or on the edge of it.

We are meticulous about measuring the impact of our voyages with young people. 2018/19 outcomes include:

• 85% of young people believe they now have better team working skills
• 83% said they are now able to manage their feelings better
• 85% believed it improved their communication skills
• 82% said their voyage had increased their confidence and self-esteem
• 79% said they felt it had improved their problem-solving skills
• 89% enjoyed the voyage and had fun!

14% of the young people sailing with us in 2018/19 received a recommendation to return to train and sail again as a member of the volunteer crew. This gives them the opportunity to support other young people and work towards nationally recognised maritime qualifications which can often lead to career at sea. We are also one of the largest issuers of RYA certificates, issuing over 450 last year.