Ewegottalove & Third Sector Wales Welsh Charity Spotlight:
Challenge Wales
Not all Welsh charities are land-based, and here Ewegottalove & Third Sector Wales turn their attentions to the sea, where Challenge Wales are doing some amazing work on behalf of young people facing genuine challenges in their lives
THE Challenge Wales charity, from its base in Penarth Marina, helps those who step aboard their tall sailing vessels to develop their personal and social skills, providing a purpose and helping to broaden horizons.
In a controlled environment of life-learning for those aged 12-25 years, participants are given a goal to strive towards, the opportunity to experience the highs of achievement and success – and sometimes the lows of failure – but understanding how to cope with that.
Teamwork, leadership, discipline, respect for others and communication skills are all developed while onboard one of the charity’s impressive sea-going vessels; 72-foot Challenge Wales | Wales’s Tall Ship and 60-foot, two-masted schooner Adventure Wales.
In addition to providing one of the best outdoor learning experiences in Wales and the South West, Challenge Wales offers not only youth development opportunities for young people, but also helps its volunteers develop new skills, including confidence, customer service, marketing & presentation skills and informal youth work.
The Mission:
Challenge Wales provides life development opportunities for young people to enable them to participate positively in society. This is through developing teamwork and communication skills, learning respect and taking responsibility for one’s actions.
Over the past 10 years, the award-winning sailing charity has worked with young people who have been unemployed, in care, are young carers, homeless or at risk of being homeless, have dropped out of education, have severe financial limitations, as well as those who are looking for a challenge and focus in their lives.
The charity’s work is achieved through sail training which takes place on Challenge Wales / Wales’s Tall Ship, a 72-foot ex-round-the-world racing yacht, and Adventure Wales, a 60-foot ocean-going schooner.
Voyages range from one-day experience sails to longer UK residential voyages and, for those looking for real adventure, there are overseas and further-afield experiences. The charity also take adults, aged 18-75, sailing on a variety of voyages which help fund the predominantly volunteer-run charity.
“Our voyages are truly life-changing and aim to be as accessible as possible,” says the charity’s co-founder Vicky Williams.
“We help young people develop confidence, teamwork and communication skills, improve resilience, improve mental health, learn about ocean literacy and the environment while having fun. We do this through sailing.”
With no government funding, money needs to be raised to keep Challenge Wales afloat and to enable the charity to provide bursaries to young people who may have a financial barrier to taking part.
“To help fundraise, we do adult-only voyages. Our big-boat sailing days from Penarth Marina are a great way for adults with no experience to jump onboard, experience big-boat sailing on their doorstep, network, chat, get involved with all aspects of sailing and pretend they are Captain Jack Sparrow!
“Our one-day sailing voyages – ‘Challenge Experience Days’ – are a great way for solo adventurers, friends, couples or small groups to join us with 100 per cent of the profits from the day being donated to the Challenge Wales charity to help us transform more young lives. And, for the more adventurous, we have some longer voyages too.”
Challenge Wales Awards
Winner – Environmental Excellence Award 2023, UK Association of Sail Training Organisations;
Finalist – Welsh Government Youth Work Excellence Award 2020, Equality and Diversity Category;
Winner – International Sail Training Organisation of the Year 2019, Sail Training International;
Finalist – People Development Award, Zokit Business Awards 2019;
Winner – Environment Award, Sail Training International 2018;
Finalist – Outstanding Contribution Award, Zokit Business Awards 2018;
Winner – UK Sail Training Vessel of the Year 2017, UK Association of Sail Training Organisations.
HOW TO SHOW YOUR SUPPORT
There are many ways you can support the Challenge Wales charity. To enable as many young people and young adults between 12 and 25 years old as possible to experience the benefits of sail training on Challenge Wales and to give them a different outlook in life, funds need to be raised. The Challenge Wales bursary scheme is there to help those who need some additional financial support to jump onboard.
There are many reasons why people may apply for a bursary, a few are listed below:
- Young people who have been affected by family trauma
- Young people who are carers for an older relative
- Young people who require help developing core skills for adulthood
- Young people from disadvantaged backgrounds
- Young people with an ambition for a career at sea
- Young people unable to afford all the costs
For more information on how to donate, raise funds, volunteer, become a member, or even sail with Challenge Wales, visit their website www.challengewales.org
GET IN TOUCH
Address: Crown House, Windsor Road, Penarth, Vale of Glamorgan, CF64 1JG
Telephone: 029 20704657
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.challengewales.org
Back to HOME PAGE