Tall Ships Youth Trust (TSYT) thanks over 2,500 volunteers who over the years have donated their time and expertise to help change young lives at sea.

Volunteers support young people at sea and on land – whether that is leading and mentoring a group on a voyage, maintaining our fleet, or representing us at events and open days.

Many of our volunteers have sailed with us as a young person. They play an important role in sharing their stories and the impact of TSYT on their life with the public at events around our regional hubs across the UK.

Over the last 66 years, volunteers have enabled more than 120,000 young people to sail with us. Today, they donate approximately 45,000 hours of their time each year. Their support allows us to reach more young people every year – we couldn’t do it without them.

Rewarding experience

Many offshore volunteers find sailing with TSYT a deeply rewarding experience, constantly learning something new from both the adult crew and the young people on board.

Volunteering with TSYT also supports career journeys. Whether that is through improving communication and leadership skills, boosting resilience ahead of university and employment, or achieving RYA and other certificates essential for a maritime career.

Join Our Volunteer Team

If you’re interested in volunteering for TSYT, we have a variety of roles available. This includes watch leaders/mates and many ways you can help onshore, from fundraising events to school visits. Your contribution makes a significant difference in the lives of young people.

Meet Our Volunteers

We caught up with some of our amazing volunteers to share their stories. Read about their experiences below:

• May, Watch Leader and Mate
• Kitty, Watch Leader
• India, Watch Leader
• Caroline and Richard, Volunteers
• Martin and James, Offshore Volunteers

Further stories will be added throughout Volunteer Week, 3-9 June 2024.