SKILLS FOR LIFE

'By the end of the voyage, my fear had been replaced with pride. I have come away with unforgettable memories, new sailing skills and enhanced teamwork abilities, which is invaluable in my future career.' These are the words of a young person sailing with the Morning Star Trust, a UK-based sail training charity.

Such positive testimonies are a key part of A Review of the Impact of the UK Sail Training Sector, written by the Association of Sail Training Organisations (ASTO), which demonstrates how the lives of young and disabled people can be transformed by residential adventures at sea that provide genuine challenges, real responsibility and a shared community.

The review champions the accessibility of sail training, challenging the perceptions of sailing as an elitist hobby where participants must have ample resources to be allowed on board. Data and case studies from the member organisations supported by ASTO, including through grants and bursaries, show that sail training offers opportunities to under-25s from a huge range of backgrounds, including some of the UK's most disadvantaged young people. Adapted boats allow people with disabilities of all ages to take part. Through sail training, the review says, participants can develop important skills, as well as the resilience and confidence to improve their chances of attending college and attaining long-term employment. In addition, many ASTO member organisations will incorporate an RYA qualification into voyages, so participants receive an RYA Start Yachting or Competent Crew certificate at the end of the trip.

As ASTO Chief Executive Kerry McMillan explains, the core activities of sail training are focused on addressing a societal need for 'opportunities beyond formal education that support practical skill development, decision making and a stronger sense of agency'. This reflects a wider concern, identified in a 2026 Government research briefing paper, that many young people feel unprepared for employment, and the number of those not in education, employment or training (NEET) has risen sharply since the pandemic, reaching over one million earlier this year.

Kerry says: 'Our review identified three areas where sail training can address the challenges facing young people today: wellbeing, sustaining education through engagement, and building skills for life and work.'

She describes the essence of sail training: 'In the UK, there are more than 60 vessels operated by our 30 member organisations. They deliver immersive residential experiences that happen to take place on a boat. It’s about a group of young people or those with disabilities supported by a staff team – creating a community that enables them to face challenges, have fun and learn new skills, and discover what they’re capable of.'

In 2025, ASTO member organisations delivered 1,334 voyages carrying a total of 10,684 individuals, equating to nearly 50,000 days at sea. 'A lot of our boats are in the 70- to 80-foot region, where you’ve got 12 young people and maybe six staff,' says Kerry. 'On smaller boats – the 40-footers – there might be six young people and two or three staff.

'They live, eat, learn and have fun together. They take part in all aspects of the voyage: raising sails, steering, filling out the logbook, keeping watch, cooking, cleaning, games. They are integral to getting from A to B; in no way are they passengers!'

A common issue for many of those taking part is that their home lives are quite challenging. 'It might be because they’re a carer for somebody in their family,' says Kerry. 'Or they themselves have been in care or have left care recently. Some over-16s are experiencing homelessness. Or they’re in mainstream schooling, but they’ve been identified as struggling academically. Many are from areas of high economic deprivation. Some have autism, and/or have been diagnosed with ADHD.'

As well as the physical exercise from working aboard, Kerry points out the remarkable effects on mental health. 'Being on a boat and looking at the land from the sea is about perspective,' she says. 'And I think quite often it gives people an opportunity to get a different view on what is going on at home or at school.'

"Being at sea can give a different view on what's going on at home or school"

A key element, says Kerry, is that the young sailors 'can see that they're trusted – to drive a million-pound boat or with the complicated task of getting a big sail up. There’s a pride in yourself and a growing understanding that you’re needed and what you do is important to others. They mustn’t feel they failed if something goes wrong.'

During periods when the crew are gathered for meals, Kerry says staff often drop seemingly random questions into the mix. In fact, these are designed 'to get people to share what they think about things or how they feel, and what their life is like'. The social side of life on board is a vital part of the experience. 'They often have very separate lives at home,' says Kerry. 'They might have their own TV, or a different meal to the rest of their family. For some young people, this might be the first time they've sat at a table with others.'

As one beneficiary, who sails with Scottish charity the Swan Trust, puts it: 'During the voyage, I learnt some new things about myself, which will be helpful for me today and into the future. I have built on my communication skills  immensely… I realise the value of each member in a team and have learnt how far kindness and fun can take you.’

Writing in the review, ASTO Royal Patron HRH The Duchess of Edinburgh agrees: ‘Aboard a vessel there are no distractions, no escape from the elements, only the sea, the crew and the task at hand. Strangers become teammates. Uncertainty becomes confidence… The lessons learned on the water carry far beyond the voyage.'

The Cirdan Sailing Trust works with NHS early intervention in psychosis services across the UK to deliver 'Voyage to Recovery', an evidence-based therapy programme that’s having positive results. It shares encouraging data from its UK circumnavigation expeditions: ‘Participants in the initial circumnavigation reported a 46% increase in satisfaction with their lives and a 69% improvement in their sense of recovery.’

As well as mental and physical health benefits, sail training enhances an individual’s life chances. Some young people, says Kerry, have ‘been inspired to pursue careers at sea after their adventures… And quite a lot of our staff started in sail training and were bitten by the bug.' RYA qualifications gained while sail training are a huge help with this.

Kerry also points out broader benefits. A latecomer to sailing in her 30s, she previously worked in recruitment. 'Sail training gives young people interesting examples to talk about in job and college interviews. Often somebody will be asked, "Tell me about a time when you found things quite difficult and what happened?" And they can talk about sailing through the night, putting a sail up in the dark. They can give examples of teamwork, good communication, confidence and resilience.'

While the upsides are clear, Kerry admits there are still barriers – especially perceived cost or lack of awareness. She says the best thing to do is find your local sail training organisation online and see what it offers. ASTO member organisations provide grants or bursaries, as well as supplying all the equipment people need. In the longer term, ASTO hopes the review will reach educators and policymakers, so sail training becomes more embedded in enrichment guidelines.

As one Youth Action Wiltshire group leader said of sailing with the Tall Ships Youth Trust: 'It was incredible to see one of our shy, vulnerable and fragile young people suddenly come out of their shell and act as a mentor and guide to others.'

For more on ASTO, visit asto.org.uk. For details of RYA training, go to rya.org.uk/training