The young people in each group are involved in selecting those who should participate, in establishing the aims and objectives for their group and in setting goals. They are responsible for advance planning – establishing ground rules, carrying out a risk assessment, organising kit and transport, planning menus and shopping. Through the steering group they have contact with young people from other parts of the country, and establish common aims for the overall programme.
Prior to the residential they organise and run induction and preparation days. Trinity staff visit each group to discuss the forthcoming residential and answer questions. The young people plan a relevant community project, to be carried out during the course of the programme. This may be during the residential or in their home area.
Trinity’s approach to sail training is that young people should carry out all tasks on board, under the supervision of our crew. The function of our sea staff is to coach, advise and oversee from a safety point of view, but to let the young people perform each task. They therefore hoist sails to get the ship under way, steer, keep watch, carry out sail changes and undertake changes of course – including tacking and gibing - while the ship is under way. Each activity involves teamwork.
In addition the young people are responsible for preparing and cooking their own meals, and for cleaning and tidying the ship, both on deck and below, each day. They normally carry out the Royal Yachting Association Competent Crew syllabus and on satisfactory completion receive RYA certificates. They receive Trinity Sailing Trust certificates with details of the voyage they have undertaken.
During the course of the voyage they normally cover between 200 and 250 sea miles, and visit several ports of call and anchorages. Depending on the weather the voyage is be either along the Devon and Cornwall coats or across the Channel to Brittany and the Channel Islands. There are opportunities to watch marine life, explore ashore, swim and have barbecues, as well as investigate the towns they visit and meet local people.
Each evening the group reviews the events of the day and discuss issues arising from them. They compile a log of the voyage, with group and individual contributions. This may be in written or video form. At the end of the week they will review the entire voyage, and after returning home provide feedback on their experiences.
After the residential there are be follow-up meetings to discuss outcomes, address individuals’ issues and establish personal development plans.
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