The Tall Ships Youth Trust, a youth development and outdoor learning charity, has outlined its plans for future growth in Northern Ireland.
At stakeholder event hosted by Belfast Harbour, the charity’s chief executive Alastair Floyd has been educating leaders from public, private and not-for-profit sectors about how young people are supported through the programme.
“As the UK’s oldest and largest youth sail training charity, the Tall Ships Youth Trust helps young people on a cross-community basis develop their personal, social and practical skills through transformational adventures at sea,” he said.
“We allow them to redefine their horizons by embarking on a voyage of exploration, empowerment and leadership, putting them on a different path into adulthood and potentially employment in the maritime sector and blue economy, something synonymous with Belfast and a number of other port cities and towns across Northern Ireland.”
Mr Floyd explained how the charity has been working in partnership with a number of local stakeholders to implement its plans for growth.
He said: “The Tall Ships Youth Trust brings a cross-section of young people to work and live together in a unique, physically and mentally challenging residential environment. Everyone sets off on a level playing field with no preconceived ideas regarding backgrounds or abilities and return inspired with increased confidence and are better connected to the ocean.
“During a voyage, they develop a range of skills, which can be transferred to their day-to-day lives to help them overcome barriers and thrive. Working together as a team, they grow in confidence and self-esteem and see a significant improvement in their communication and leadership skills, ultimately helping break down barriers to employment.
“By allowing young people to connect with the ocean, not only do they learn about sustainability and ocean health but are able to see the range of careers and opportunities that are available in Northern Ireland’s maritime sector.”
Seamus Connolly MBE, managing director of Fast Engineering and inventor of FASTANK, a portable containment unit which is used in many global emergencies such as aid-relief, fire-fighting and environmental protection, said:
“If young people can be introduced to the role the sea plays, whether that be through the Tall Ships Youth Trust or other initiatives, that can only help to foster an appreciation of and a desire to protect our waterways and oceans.
“If we don’t have clean seas, it won’t be possible to use them as part of our economy: fisheries will be damaged; tourism will be impacted; and marine transport will be affected. It’s a vital resource which is often underappreciated and needs to be maintained in a healthy condition.”
To learn more about the Tall Ships Youth Trust, visit www.tallships.org.
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