the island trust
Provision of sailing opportunities for disadvantaged young people
'Motivating Young People Through Sailing'
The Island Trust helps young people with disabilities, learning difficulties,
and those suffering deprivation to take part in exciting adventure voyages on
board our fleet of traditional sailing boats.
Through the challenge of learning to sail we provide disadvantaged young people
with the opportunity to develop their capabilities and life-skills. We coach the
teamwork and communication skills necessary to lead a fun, healthy and
independent life. Vocational training offered on board can contribute to
long-term employment prospects. Our young sailors return to their communities
with an altered outlook on life, increased motivation and a fresh perspective on
their self-worth and abilities. For many who sail with us, this outdoor
experience could be the first time they have stayed away from home, left the
inner city or community where they live.
Beneficiaries are aged primarily from 14 – 18 but on occasion, may be as young
as 10 and can be up to the age of 25. Our bursaries are wholly based on need and
can be up to 100% of costs.
Each sailing expedition is tailored specifically to the needs of the group, with
consultation between the Skipper and Group Leader, to ensure that we are able to
create the optimum learning environment. Most sailing weeks offer the
opportunity to work towards an RYA certificate
[https://www.theislandtrust.org.uk/activities/rya-courses/].
On an Island Trust voyage young people sail as a crew, cook and eat together.
Time with us is so much more than just sailing – many studies have concluded
that sailing is a particularly effective and innovative platform for enhancing
young lives. It encourages co-operation, a sense of responsibility, instils a
sense of adventure, develops initiative, social skills, feelings of self-worth,
communication skills and acts as a catalyst to engagement with education and
employment.
Our Ocean Discoverability
[https://www.theislandtrust.org.uk/the-island-trust/ocean-discoverability/] day
sails support young people from special needs schools and day centres in
Plymouth, Devon and Cornwall. Some with life-limiting conditions. This work has
expanded our own day-sail provision, and is in addition to our residential
sailing voyages.
On a typical Ocean Discoverability day the young crew will observe, touch and
feel marine life in the marina before examining it under the microscope and via
an underwater camera on the seabed. After a safety brief and familiarisation
with the boat, the trip begins easily by motoring down the River Plym to
Plymouth Sound while stowing the ropes and fenders. This helps the young people
get used to the boat and its motion.
Once in the Sound, those who wish to do so help hoist the sails and steer. There
they gain an appreciation of the geography, marine life and other ships and
boats, spotting and recording them in a specially written guide. Depending on
the levels of ability there are mystery objects to find on deck, simple tasks
like finding and counting all the stanchions, a nautical word search,
calculating the boat’s sail area and learning some knots. Some just enjoy the
sensory experience. On the return journey they help collect samples of plankton
for microscopic examination when back in the marina.
To support our charitable work we run Sail Training voyages for independent
young people during the school holidays, with an emphasis on having a great
time, learning new skills and making friends, and can count for your DofE Gold
Residential
[https://www.theislandtrust.org.uk/activities/duke-of-edinburghs-award/] –
always check with your DofE Leader first.
