Why take young people sailing? Because it works, whether they are regular healthy kids, disabled or disadvantaged they will benefit in many ways.
Because a young disabled person can experience something magical, and be a part of it. Working and learning alongside others in a new environment is stimulating and exciting.
Because taking a disadvantaged young person out of their (probably dismal) every-day circumstances and placing them in a challenging yet supportive environment gives
them a chance to grow as a person and to develop interpersonal skills and self reliance.
Because we believe that every young person can be helped through sailing toward a future as a responsible, employable member of society.
Academic studies have shown that sail training builds confidence and interpersonal skills which remain long after the voyage has ended.*
*McCulloch, Dr K. 2007. The Characteristics and Value of the Sail Training Experience. The University of Edinburgh
Our training yachts are crewed by just four young people. Accompanied by a supervising adult from their sponsoring organisation and supported by a qualified instructor.
The four young people work together as a team to sail from place to place in a safe and seamanlike manner. Sailing a yacht is a perfectly natural teamwork exercise,
yet it is not an exercise, it is not contrived, it is simply how a disparate group of individuals work together to achieve a common goal, as in life and work
Our young people stay aboard the vessel when they are with us, returning home only when the course is over.
In the case of disabled youngsters this gives them the time necessary to settle in and become comfortable in their new surroundings.
In the case of young people from disadvantaged backgrounds It is our opportunity to bring support and positivity into their lives without the influence of what may be a
corrosive and negative home life.
The Mustang Trust works with organisations such as the YMCA, Catch-22 and local councils dealing with disadvantaged and unemployed young people.
We also work with special schools for young people with Autistic Spectrum Disorders (ASD).
The mustang Trust raises funds to subsidise the sailing which is delivered through partner organisations.
