The Trinity Sailing Trust

The Trinity Sailing Trust is a registered charity (No. 1076538) which has two principal objectives:

To assist the personal development of disadvantaged young people through offshore sailing on traditional vessels
To restore and preserve its vessels as important examples of our maritime heritage

The Trust is based in South Devon and operates four sail training vessels: the former sailing trawlers ‘Leader’ and ‘Provident’, the gaff cutter ‘Golden Vanity’ and the former fishing smack ‘Spirit of Britannia’. They were built between 1892 and 1924, and are all on the National Register of Historic Ships.

Trinity was established in 1999 by bringing together three previously-separate organisations with wide experience in the fields of sail training and maritime heritage.

Trinity is a member of the Association of Sail Training Organisations (ASTO) and a Royal Yachting Association (RYA) recognised sail training establishment.

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Sail training as practised by Trinity is a means to an end. It is a way of engaging with young people

allowing them to discover the limits of their own capabilities

teaching a range of life skills

showing them how to live and work more effectively with others

building their confidence and self-esteem

and thereby motivating them and encouraging them to believe in their ability to change the course of their lives for the better.

We wish to be a catalyst and a means of changing attitudes and expectations. We expect what we do to be part of a process, not a one-off experience.

Part of Trinity’s approach to sail training is to include in the experience adults who will be working with the young people in the long term. Sharing this helps build strong relationships that can be used in making later progress.

Our work is carried out in conjunction with many organisations involved in the welfare of young people: schools and colleges, youth groups, social services, local authorities and other statutory bodies. They are able to capitalise on the change in attitude that Trinity brings about, ensuring that long term benefits result. Many organisations cannot afford the full cost involved. Trinity undertakes to raise funds with which to offer bursaries to deserving young people who need financial support, and that is a major aspect of the work of the Trust.