We are delighted that local school students will once again be taking to the high seas, on the voyages with Tall Ship Youth Trust, that the we fund.

Up to 80 young people from Peterborough schools will spend five days crewing the tall ships and sailing off the south coast. As well as learning to sail, the young people are fully integrated into the crew and are responsible for running the vessels 24/7, which includes learning to navigate and read charts, as well as assisting in the galley and helping to maintain the ships themselves.

The experience helps the young people to gain in confidence and learn new life skills as well as experience activities and offers a huge boost to their self-esteem. It also teaches them teamwork, co-operation, and leadership, leaving them with the confidence and willingness to take on new responsibilities and overcome challenges.

Our CEO, Claire Higgins, explains why the company supports this project: “I am passionate in investing in the next generation, and giving them the skills and confidence to go out into the world as fully rounded young adults, and this project is a great example of how we can do this. This year has been so incredibly hard for youngsters, missing the social interactions that are so crucial to their development. This has compounded some of the struggles these young people have already been facing, especially with their self-confidence. So to take them into a completely new environment, so far out of their comfort zone, and offer them the chance to succeed, sometimes far above their own expectations, gives them such a huge feeling of achievement especially after climbing to the very top of the mast! It’s great fun too!”

Rachel Patman, Careers Coordinator at Ken Stimpson Community School, said: “The past year has been so tough on our young people. When they returned from remote learning, we really noticed how much they had missed out on socialising, they had forgotten how to talk to one another in class.

“This is why these voyages with Tall Ships Youth Trust are so important in helping to rebuild their confidence and wellbeing.”

Pupils from Ormiston Bushfield Academy, Ken Stimpson Community School, Queen Katherine Academy, Jack Hunt School, St. John Fisher Catholic High School and Nene Park Academy are among the schools signed up for the voyages this year.