The Sail Training Trust (previously known as Portsmouth Sail Training Trust) provides maritime training, qualifications and mentoring to young people, helping to raise their aspirations, improve their life skills and create career opportunities.
Our grant of £10,000 enabled 8 young people from a school for boys with social, emotional and behavioural difficulties to access the charity’s programme.
The Sail Training Trust told us about a pupil from a different school, Lewis, who was introduced to the programme a few years ago by his teachers, due to his involvement with crime and gang culture.
Lewis is now working at the Andrew Simpson Centre Portsmouth on the Government Kickstart Scheme. He is working 25hrs a week, is passionate about his work and is now leading sessions for other young people who are at risk of becoming involved with crime and gang culture.
Lewis said: “Without PSTT, I wouldn’t have known that I enjoyed sailing or that I could have a job as a water sports instructor. I now get to work with other young people and help them see that there are lots of opportunities out there for them”.
