We undertake a limited number of charitable activities either located outside of the United Kingdom or with international beneficiaries.
International activities typically include projects where funds have been donated for a specific purpose, where the activity acts a pathfinder for the continued development of our programs and research and where the Foundation has the opportunity to provide significant charitable benefit (including those connected to legacy grant applications or international fund raising). In 2001, in addition to Bart’s Bash, the Foundation’s primary international charitable activities were:
World Training Sailing Scholarships
The Foundation continues to work with World Sailing to provide the International Sailing Scholarships based primarily out of the ASC Portland. By enabling the delivery of the scholarship, ASF supports emerging sailing nations to increase participation.
Turks & Caicos
Utilising a 2020 donation from Sail Aid UK, the Foundation continues to provide Community Sailing Programmes to communities impacted by Hurricane Irma in the Turks and Caicos in partnership with the Provo Academy. 2021 saw the Foundation send expert coaches to Turks and Caicos to deliver instructor training to local young people.
Instructor Development in Antigua
Delivered at the National Sailing Academy in Falmouth Harbour, the Foundation supported the training of local young people to gain their RYA instructor certificates. The programme aims to inspire a new generation of Antiguans to Discover Sailing.
Skipper Programme
The Skipper Programme is delivered in Mossel Bay, South Africa, and focuses on providing opportunities for disadvantaged young people from local townships to get out on the water and gain accredited maritime qualifications.
However, frequent changes in lockdown regulations throughout 2021 meant that it was sometimes challenging to get out on the water. Despite this, the Skipper Programme was able to be fully operational from September onwards, with young sailors working towards their Level 3 qualifications, the Ladies Group participating in their first Bart’s Bash, and the young people getting the chance to participate in a variety of regattas.
The ‘Steering the Course’ event which took place at the beginning of November was a particular highlight for the team. ‘Steering the Course’ is a World Sailing initiative aimed at encouraging female participation in the sport. A group of young women attended the course from Great Brak, a coastal village located in Mossel Bay.
Elfie Holden, Skipper Programme Chairperson and Centre Manager in Mossel Bay says, “in the little town of Great Brak the unemployment rate has escalated causing copious social problems. Uplifting yourself in these circumstances is very difficult, and the challenges these young ladies are faced with on a daily basis breaks one’s heart. This group of girls and ladies needed some positive affirmation and sailing was harnessed. They loved the fact that they could be in charge of their own vessels. Our hope is that this feeling of empowerment will spill over to the rest of their life”.
Related projects
Swim Free
Creating a new programme to deliver life-saving swimming skills to children and young people from Naval families
RNSA Go Sailing
Delivering a programme of learn to sail courses to support partners of Naval personnel
Into the Green & Blue Multi-Sport Collaboration
An ambitious community collaboration that aims to offer year-round access to blue and green activities that support health, wellbeing, and opportunity across Birmingham.
