Tall Ships Youth Trust (TSYT) is a UK-based youth development and outdoor learning charity, dedicated to supporting young people out on the ocean to realise their true potential. Since 1956, we’ve been passionately supporting young people through transformational voyages that build confidence, resilience, essential life skills, and employability skills. At TSYT, we are committed to changing young lives at sea.
We deliver an innovative three-voyage programme of Exploration, Empowerment, and Leadership. Each voyage combines outdoor learning in an ocean environment with personal growth and social development, gradually guiding young people on their journey to adulthood through progressively longer and more challenging experiences at sea.
We sail all-year-round, operating five 72ft Challenger yachts, and empower young people aged 12–25 (particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds) to increase their life-chances on our transformational voyages.
During a voyage, young people work together as a team, grow in confidence and self-esteem, and develop communication, teamwork and leadership skills. They gain a wide range of practical abilities and skills, which can be transferred to their day-to-day lives to help them overcome any barriers and thrive.
Tasks onboard, include setting and stowing sails, helming, rope work, navigation, meteorology, repairing and maintaining equipment, as well as cooking and cleaning.
Following a TSYT voyage, 95% of young people return home with increased confidence and self-esteem, demonstrating the powerful impact of our vital youth work. Participants can also gain Royal Yachting Association (RYA) qualifications and complete the residential section of their Duke of Edinburgh’s Gold Award.
As part of our commitment to increasing access and opportunity for young people, we are increasing our reach across the UK by developing regional hubs, including a key hub in Wales. From here, we support local communities, tackle areas of deprivation, and ensure our voyage programme is accessible to more young people. One of our Challenger yachts is based in Wales for part of the year, helping us deliver these life-changing experiences locally.
With decades of experience and a deep passion for youth development, TSYT continues to transform the lives of young people through the unique power of the sea.
Sail with us:
We offer both group voyage booking for Local Authority Services, pupil referral units, youth offending teams, schools and other youth organisations. Find out more about group bookings here: https://tallships.org/sail-with-us/youth-crew/group-bookings/
We also offer a wide range of individual voyages for young people aged 12–25 in Wales. Explore upcoming Wales-based voyages here: https://tallships.org/voyages/?_sft_voyage_type=wales-regional-hub-voyages