Tall Ships Youth Trust (TSYT) has published its 2025/2026 Impact Report, Beyond the Horizon: Changing Young Lives at Sea, showcasing a transformative year of youth development and outdoor learning on the water.
Against a backdrop of increasing educational pressures and youth mental health strains, TSYT continues to demonstrate how the ocean acts as the ultimate equaliser. Over the past year, the charity reached 1,889 individuals – an 11% increase — with 1,224 being young people – delivering in total 4,716 nights at sea.
Key Highlights and Achievements
• Supporting multi-layered adversity: 85% of the 1,224 young people who sailed with the trust received financial bursary support.
• New horizons: 77% of participants had never sailed before, and 21% identified as belonging to the Global Majority.
• A structured pathway: Engagement in the charity’s progressive three-stage journey surged, with Exploration voyages up 101% (668 participants), Empowerment up 54% (111 participants), and Leadership up 29% (22 participants).
• Tangible skills and pathways: Voyagers earned 776 nationally recognised qualifications (including 630 RYA Start Yachting and 126 RYA Competent Crew awards). Additionally, 204 young people were recommended to return as volunteers, and 12 competed in the 2025 Rolex Fastnet Race.
• Skills for life: Survey results show 91% of Exploration voyagers felt confident to try new things, 89% reported greater willingness to problem-solve, and 87% felt more confident building relationships.
Reflecting on the impact of the past year, Alastair Floyd, CEO of Tall Ships Youth Trust, said: “With our educational systems under immense pressure and young people navigating rising mental health strains, our voyages for young people could never be more important, and we are proud to be unlocking the true potential of the next generation. Last year, we helped over 1,200 young people experience the thrill and power of the ocean firsthand. With your support, we are committed to increase access to the vital skills and pathways provided by our three-voyage programme.”
Read the full 2025/2026 Impact Report: https://tallships.org/beyond-the-horizon-tall-ships-youth-trust-releases-2025-2026-impact-report/
