By Charlotte Mossop, aged 21 – first sailed aged 13 in 2018

From the Stands to the Deck

I first encountered TSYT when my mum competed in the Fastnet Race on one of the Challengers in 2015 as part of an all-female team. I was so inspired by this that I wanted to sail on board, and as soon as I was old enough, I did! I was a young carer at the time, and TSYT provided me a space outside of school where I was supported and encouraged by people who genuinely believed in me. I was invited back to train as a Watch Leader after my first voyage and didn’t hesitate to say yes and become a part of the crew.

Since completing my volunteer crew training in 2019, I have sailed nearly 7,000 miles with the charity, both as Watch Leader on the Challengers and Volunteer Mate on the Ketch. I’ve visited many places, from the Canary Islands to the top of Scotland. In 2023, I had a full circle moment when competing in the Fastnet Race as part of TSYT’s first youth team — the very race that inspired me to start offshore sailing. I’ve also been a keen ambassador for the charity ashore, representing TSYT at events such as Liverpool Eurovision, the IMO’s Women in Maritime event, Cowes Week, and much more.

Teaching, Sailing and Finding a Path

The best thing about volunteering with TSYT is working with all the people that come on voyages with us. I’ve worked with hundreds of people from all walks of life and helped them to build confidence and develop essential life skills. Through teaching young people on board, I discovered that I had a passion for teaching. This led me to consider teaching as a career. I’ve recently finished my undergraduate degree in geography, and in September, will be starting my teacher training to become a secondary school teacher. I wouldn’t be on this journey without the encouragement of the crews I have sailed with.

Volunteering has also helped me to develop as a sailor. I started with the charity having never been on a yacht before, and over the years have worked up through the RYA qualifications to become a Coastal Skipper. The mentorship and advice that the charity’s skippers have given me has been invaluable in building the confidence needed to take my Yachtmaster exams.