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The Tall Ships Youth Trust, incorporating the Sail Training Association, is a registered charity founded in 1956 and dedicated to the personal development of young people aged 16 to 25 through the crewing of Tall Ships. More information about the trust and current voyages available can be found at www.tallships.org
In a world that can be excluding and challenging, sailing as part of a Tall Ships crew can make for a participative and empowering experience. Young people learn to:
And what's more, it's fun!
TRUST ACQUIRES FOUR ROUND-THE-WORLD CHALLENGE YACHTS The Tall Ships Youth Trust, the UK’s leading sail training charity, is embarking on a new era by expanding its fleet with the purchase of four 22 metre ocean-going yachts to offer more opportunities for young people to go to sea. The charity, which celebrated its 50th anniversary last year and is best known for its square-rigged brigs, is aiming to guarantee its future development through the acquisition of these exciting yachts, which will operate as the Tall Ships Challenger Fleet. The yachts, which can each accommodate a crew of up to 18, previously took part in the Round the World Challenge races. They will operate in conjunction with one of the current traditional tall ships – which has a crew of up to 67 - to provide world-class sail training on both a square rigger and the matched Challenger Fleet. The new five-ship fleet will result in one of the Trust’s current 60 metre tall ships being sold. “This is an exciting step forward for the Tall Ships Youth Trust and will help us to support more young people, especially the disadvantaged and disabled,” said Martin Jay, Chairman.
The Tall Ships Challenger Fleet yachts are 22 metre (72 foot) steel hulls built in 2000 (updated in 2004) and designed to race around the world “the wrong way”, so are exceptionally strong and seaworthy. “The opportunities for the Trust to develop and grow are huge and this initiative helps us guarantee our future financially by offering a unique, worldwide programme of voyages with this modern, safe and purpose built fleet” said Martin Jay. “We are very grateful to the support of those who have helped us to achieve this including Sport England South East, the Charities Aid Foundation, Royal Bank of Scotland and the Charity Commission”. Judith Dean, Regional Director of Sport England South East said: “Sport England welcomes the Tall Ships Youth Trust’s commitment to expand the opportunities available for young people to get involved in this exciting activity. The new Tall Ships Challenger Fleet will offer an inspiring, unique experience for people aged 16 years and upwards, equipping them with essential life skills while providing new opportunities to embrace a healthy, more active lifestyle. It will also give them the chance to discover a new physical activity to complement their current sports participation. “The sale of the brig and boost in the size of the fleet will generate an increased number and range of opportunities for people of all ages and abilities to get involved. Participants can learn basic and advanced sailing skills on a variety of voyages with scope to gain coaching qualifications to benefit the Tall Ships Youth Trust as well as sailing clubs across the UK.” To see the latest Voyage schedule for the Stavros S Niarchos and the Challenger fleet click on the link below: http://www.tallships.org/document.asp?cat=539&doc=6597 Late booking special offers can be found at the following link http://www.tallships.org/document.asp?cat=543&doc=7247
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The
Sir Samuel Mico Trust supports the work of the South Dorset Branch of the
Tallships Youth Trust, by making grants available annually to approximately 10
young people for subsidised voyages organised by the Tall Ships Youth Trust.
Selection of recipients of grant support is on the recommendation of the
Committee of the South Dorset Branch of the Tall Ships Youth Trust and
applications for such support should be made directly to the Branch Chairman,
John Croydon at 
“Sail
training is a well recognised and powerful tool for developing young people –
increased self esteem, better communication skills and a healthier, outdoor
lifestyle are just a few of the benefits. The UK has some of the best yachtsmen
and women in the world and interest in the sport is growing and will
significantly increase as we approach the Olympics. The new fleet will enable us
to offer aspirational opportunities and get more young people active whilst at
the same time offering them a broader range of experiences and challenges on
either a magnificent square rigged tall ship or an exciting ocean-going yacht.”