Our action & impact

Developing skills & personal pathways

Helping people build confidence, gain skills and find opportunities in education, employment, volunteering and sport.

Finding a way forward

Everyone deserves the opportunity to discover their strengths, develop new skills and explore what comes next. Through sailing, watersports and outdoor activities, we give people practical experiences that build confidence, encourage learning and open up new possibilities.

We connect these experiences with education, qualifications, mentoring and opportunities beyond the water.
Whether someone is preparing for work, returning to education or pursuing a career, we help them find a pathway that works for them.

Our skills & development programmes & partnerships

Personal development

Our activities help people build confidence, communication, teamwork and problem-solving skills they can use in everyday life, education and work.

Learning through experience

We work with schools and education providers to make learning practical and engaging, helping young people develop skills through real-world experiences.

Inclusive learning

We support young people with SEND and those in alternative provision through practical activities that recognise different needs, build confidence and celebrate achievement.

Qualifications & training

Through our centres and partners, we connect people with opportunities to gain recognised qualifications, develop vocational skills and progress into further learning.

Leadership & volunteering

We encourage participants to take on responsibility, support others and contribute to their communities through volunteering, mentoring and leadership opportunities.

Careers & employment

We help people explore pathways into employment, including opportunities in the marine, maritime and outdoor sectors, through skills development and connections with employers.

From a school opportunity to the Royal Navy

A school opportunity brought Milly to Andrew Simpson Centre Portsmouth, where she built confidence, made friends and developed ambitions that led her to join the Royal Navy.

Her connection with the centre continues. She returns to support events and inspire other young people, while the team who supported her remain an important part of her life.

What we want to achieve

We want more people to recognise their strengths, develop useful skills and feel confident about their future. Our focus is on making practical learning accessible, connecting people with recognised qualifications and creating pathways into education, employment, volunteering and sport.

We also want people to have the relationships and support they need to take their next step and continue progressing.

Target 1: More people developing transferable skills

Increase participation in activities that build confidence, communication, teamwork and problem-solving.

Target 2: Greater access to education and qualifications

Expand opportunities for practical learning, recognised qualifications and progression into further training.

Target 3: More pathways into employment and volunteering

Strengthen connections with employers, mentors and community organisations to help people take their next step.

Target 4: Greater access to education and qualifications

Create opportunities for participants to return as volunteers, instructors, mentors and role models.

Help people take their next step

We work with schools, training providers, employers and community organisations to create opportunities for people to learn, develop and progress.

Have a training opportunity, a pathway into employment or a partnership idea? We’d love to hear from you.

Our work in active participation

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Swim Free

Creating a new programme to deliver life-saving swimming skills to children and young people from Naval families

Enabling active participation

Creating sustainable patterns of activity by increasing physical participation, active wellbeing and regular engagement through schools, groups and community partners.

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Championing environmental engagement

Championing programmes that support environmental learning, conservation, citizen science and the creation of sustainable, climate-aware coastal places.

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Building connected communities

Ensuring access for all by deepening inclusion, bringing groups together and strengthening community identity through safe, shared experiences on the water.

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