Motivating Young People Through Sailing

Founded in 1973 by Frank Collier, Hubert Monroe QC, and Dick Lloyd MBE, The Island Trust has spent over 50 years empowering deserving young people through sailing. Passionate about traditional wooden boats, our founders strove to address inequalities, believing everyone deserves the chance to sail. They determinedly set out to remove financial and social barriers to participation, and today, our Trustees energetically carry that vision forward.

What we do

Driven by a firm belief in social inclusion and equality of opportunity, we break down barriers. By providing financial support, personal encouragement, and expert sail training, we open the door to transformative sea adventures for young people who might otherwise miss out.

We offer our residential and day-sailing programs to young people with educational support needs, disabilities, and those experiencing hardship or deprivation. These young people gain the opportunity not only to broaden their horizons, but also to develop their skills and capabilities through the joy and challenge of learning to sail.

We work with individuals, schools, youth groups, churches, and community organisations. Our sailing programmes make a positive contribution to CVs and long-term employment prospects, while also raising the aspirations of the often marginalised and vulnerable young people we support.

Beneficiaries are primarily aged 14 to 18, although on occasion they may be as young as 10 or up to the age of 25. Bursaries are wholly based on need and can be up to 100% of costs.

Through our programmes, young sailors return to their schools and communities with increased motivation, confidence, leadership, and communication skills, as well as a fresh perspective on their self-worth and abilities.

Life on board

Our subsidiary, Island (Cutter) Limited, operates our small fleet of traditional sailing vessels based in Plymouth. Through hands-on crewing, young people learn to sail, navigate and plan passages, while also building initiative, communication and social skills. On residential voyages, they gain experience of independent living.

We provide all accommodation, tuition, food, learning resources, and safety equipment on board.

Most of our residential voyages give young people the chance to work towards entry-level Royal Yachting Association qualifications, RYA Start Yachting and RYA Competent Crew. From there, we encourage aspiring sailors to return, build their sea miles and progress towards Watch Leader level and more advanced RYA qualifications.

We are a Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Approved Activity Provider.

For more information about sail training opportunities, or for any other enquiries, contact us on:

Tel: 01752 823007
Email: info@theislandtrust.org.uk