The Challenge

We know that young people from challenging backgrounds face barriers to accessing, experiencing, and benefitting from sailing and watersports. Research shows:

There are seven million children aged 5 to 15 in England. Nearly four in five are not doing the recommended daily amount of exercise, with over 30% living in poverty.

Living in poverty often impacts on children’s levels of physical activity.

People that experience prejudice or discrimination, such as (but not limited to) people from LGBTQ+ groups and ethnic minority groups also report that it can be a barrier to taking part in sport and physical activity

Research has found that a person’s attitude to sport is often shaped by their experience – or lack of experience – as a child and many people drop out of sport before they even reach the age of 14.

The solution – participating in Sport

There is strong evidence that participation in sports such as sailing improves:

Pro-social behaviour

Reduces crime and anti-social behaviour

Social capital impacts from sport, increasing social connectedness and a sense of belonging

Educational outcomes – including behaviour and attainment

Psychological benefits such as enhanced self-esteem and self-confidence.

What we do:

Our ethos is sailing for all, and we are always looking for ways to break down barriers to enable young people from all walks of life to access sailing and watersports.

We run six not-for-profit centres in Portland, Portsmouth, Reading and Birmingham, along with our two specialist Centres – Andrew Simpson Yachting and our Performance Academy.

At each Andrew Simpson Centre (ASC) we run Charitable Activities which enable young people from challenging backgrounds to experience sailing and watersports, gain accredited qualifications, pursue meaningful careers and develop key life skills.

See Stanleys - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=46qifwSEMMk&t=56s

Help us to change the lives of more young people live Stanley.