Over 40 years of life-changing sailing adventures!
We are a registered charity providing life-enhancing, residential and day sailing activities for young people with special needs, disabilities, and those experiencing hardship and deprivation.
To support our charitable work we run sail training voyages for independent individuals aged 12 to 19 years during the school holidays, a number of RYA Competent Crew, Day Skipper Practical, Yachtmaster Preparation & Exam courses for all ages throughout the sailing season, and occasional voyages for adults.
Schools & Groups
We offer sailing expeditions and day sails for youth groups, schools and colleges, tailored specifically to the needs of the group.
Teenage Sailing Weeks
Sail training voyages for independent teenagers during school holidays – have a great time, learn new skills and make new friends!
DofE & RYA Training
Come on board for your Dofe Expedition or DofE Gold Residential, or embark on one of our RYA sail training courses.
Adult Voyages/Courses
We run adult RYA courses and occasional passage and expedition voyages throughout the sailing season.
Teachers/Youth Leaders
Find out more about what we do on one of our free taster day sails for teachers and youth leaders.
Next Step Appeal
Learn about our appeal to give a new generation of young sailors the opportunity to explore new challenges and greater destinations.
Latest News
It must be Christmas!
Trustee Judy Lloyd has been busy with her needle and thread this summer making Christmas decorations and crafts to sell at Christmas fairs, and has raised around £250 to date…
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12 Days of Giving
Blow our trumpet and nominate The Island Trust in the Ecclesiastical 12 Days of Giving Campaign! Each weekday from 6 to 21 December 10 lucky charities…
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The Small Ships Race roundup
The Small Ships Race is an annual event, held in Cowes on the first weekend of October. Organised by the Association of Sail Training Organisations (ASTO)…
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Ocean Discoverability 2018 End of Season Report
For the second season of running day trips for children with disabilities in Plymouth’s estuaries and the Sound, we picked a…
read moreKeep in touch
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We've no 'new kids on the block', but here are the old ones hanging around having some TLC! 🤣
Our Fleet
The Island Trust operates three large traditionally rigged sailing boats; Moosk, Pegasus and Johanna Lucretia, each has her own distinctive style and character, all perfect for Sail Training.
Sail Training
Based in Plymouth, Devon, The Island Trust provides flexible personal development programmes for young people on board its fleet of traditionally rigged sailing vessels. Encouraging independence, team work, communication, self worth and life skills; sailing provides an exciting and challenging adventure.
Courses range from group sailing weeks and day sails, to teenage sailing weeks for independent individuals, DofE Gold Residentials, RYA practical courses, Tall Ships Races and the annual ’round-the-cans’ Cowes Small Ships Races youth sailing events.
The Island Trust is a registered charity (no. 1049722) committed to providing sailing for everyone and will accept applications from young people for financial assistance to meet the costs of a voyage.
Click here to read more about us.
What We Do
RYA Recognised Training Centre
Crewed by professional sailing staff, qualified at the highest level, all of our vessels have been coded by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency and inspected for seaworthiness and safety.
The Island Trust and its operating company, Island (Cutter) Ltd, have robust policies and procedures in place to guarantee your safety on board including:
- Health and Safety Policies
- Child Protection Policies
- Annual DBS Disclosure for all staff and volunteers
We are members of the Association of Sail Training Organisations (ASTO).
Full time and relief staff are RYA Yachtmasters and Cruising Instructors or higher, and volunteers are qualified to levels appropriate to the responsibilities they carry in accordance with statutory MCA and RYA regulations and guidelines.
For more information about RYA training »
DofE Approved Activity Provider
We are a Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Approved Activity Provider and run DofE Gold Residential sailing weeks for individuals and DofE Silver and Gold Expedition voyages. Voyages follow the RYA Cruising syllabus and our experienced and well qualified staff will help participants gain RYA as well as DofE qualifications.
Foe more information visit our DofE Gold Residential and DofE Expedition pages.
What is Sail Training?
Our voyages take you to different places every day, tiny harbours, beautiful rivers and the stunning Cornish and Devon coastlines. On a really good week, we may to sail out to the Isles of Scilly, Brittany or the Channel Islands. We sail where the wind takes us, and regularly spot dolphins, sun fish, basking sharks, seals and even pilot whales! Beach barbecues, fishing and swimming are all part of the fun.
Our sailing weeks mix high quality tuition with a fun, educational environment where everyone works and lives as a crew. RYA (Royal Yachting Association) certificates and Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Gold Residential can be attained on board.
Participants learn how to helm, use a compass, use charts and basic navigational skills to plan passages, raise and lower sails, tie knots and cook. Standard voyages start in the afternoon on Sunday and end at lunchtime on Friday. Our RYA qualified Sailing Instructors are specialist youth workers, and subject to annual enhanced DBS disclosure.
As a charity we help the visually and hearing impaired, those with learning difficulties, special educational needs or behavioural difficulties, and any young person for whom the experience of sailing might otherwise be unattainable. We help hundreds of young people every year, from all backgrounds, to get out on the water and experience the adventure and freedom of a voyage at sea.
For more information call us on 01752 823007 or email info@theislandtrust.org.uk.