A HAMPSHIRE housebuilder has been picking up a different set of tools this month and has been providing some vital volunteer support to Portsmouth-based, Tall Ships Youth Trust (TSYT).

Barratt Homes, which is building across the county, sent in a group of its apprentices to help out the youth development charity last Wednesday (6 April).

Tall Ships Youth Trust, which sails out of Gunwharf Quays Marina in Portsmouth, enables young people, aged 12-25, to redefine their horizons on its voyages at sea. It brings a cross-section of youngsters together to work and live in a unique, physically and mentally challenging environment onboard its iconic 72ft Challenger yachts.

The five-star housebuilder set the apprentices to work providing vital maintenance support to the charity’s Challenger 2.

They spent a day painting the decks, cleaning out the engine bays, and helping with several other tasks to ensure the vessel was ready, and looking its best, for the next group of budding sailors heading out on the water.

Alastair Floyd, Chief Executive Officer at TSYT, welcomed the developer’s support, particularly as it was so timely with the Challenger hitting the waves again this week with a youth group from Wiltshire.

He said: “We have a fleet of four Challengers and a 55ft ketch, which provide a space for young people to develop a range of skills both practical and social. Our residential voyages help them to overcome barriers in their day-to-day lives and to thrive.

“General maintenance and upkeep are essential to the work we do, and we’re grateful to Barratt Homes and its team of volunteers for helping us out and doing such a great job!”

Anthony Dimmick, Barratt Homes Community Liaison Manager is thrilled the housebuilder has had the opportunity to offer its volunteering help to such a worthwhile charity in the region.

He said: “We want to support organisations in the communities where we are building new homes, and Tall Ships Youth Trust is providing a wonderful service to young people in the local area. It’s been a pleasure to be able to offer up our help.”

Formed in 1956, Tall Ships Youth Trust is the UK’s oldest and largest youth development sail training charity, and more than 120,000 young people have sailed over two million nautical miles since it first set sail. The charity continues to dedicate itself to enabling young people to fulfil their life potential through transformational adventures at sea.

Barratt Homes is bringing new homes across Hampshire. It is committed to supporting local causes which improve the quality of life for those living in the region.

For more information visit barratthomes.co.uk.