Member Article

Ocean Youth Club Returns to North West

Pioneering sailing charity Ocean Youth Trust North (OYT North) is returning to the North West coast for the fourth year running in 2016, extending its season from six to 10 weeks as it reaches out to support more young people from the region.

The ocean going yacht James Cook, which has previously completed a circumnavigation of the world, will be based at Whitehaven for the duration of the summer season, from where it will visit Ireland, Anglesey, Liverpool and the Isle of Man.

It is envisaged that by the end of her fourth visit more than 250 young people from the region will have acquired a range of transferrable skills through working as part of a team to crew the yacht, and will have experienced a lifetime opportunity and the thrill of an Adventure under Sail®.

“This is our fourth year on the west coast and it’s great to be bringing James Cook to the region for our longest ever season,” said Steve Lennon, Managing Director of OYT North. “We’re always on the lookout for new people to benefit from our work. We’re particularly keen to reach out to groups such as sea cadets, scouts, guides, local schools, sailing clubs and other youth groups particularly those facing disadvantage of one sort or another.”

OYT North is focused on the use of offshore sailing for personal development. The charity inspires and engages young people by giving them the opportunity to take part in an exhilarating experience that might normally be beyond their reach. Rising to the Challenge of the Sea, participants learn to become part of a team while building up their self-confidence and wellbeing.

Steve added: “The Irish Sea presents the perfect location for our work. We can fit up to 12 young people and two leaders onto James Cook, alongside our own experienced and passionate crew.”

To find out more about OYT North and how you could secure a place on a voyage please visit www.oytnorth.org.uk, email development@oytnorth.org.uk, or call the shore-based team on 0191 257 1212.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Rob Lawson .