“I loved it all, even when it rained – I made so many new friends.”
For a student at Applemore College in Hythe, this simple sentence says everything. It speaks to the confidence, connection and joy sparked by five unforgettable days aboard Prolific, Ocean Youth Trust South’s sail training vessel.
In 2024, Ocean Youth Trust South (OYT South) received a transformative three-year grant of £25,000 from the Charles Burnett Memorial Fund, administered by HIWCF. The funding is part of HIWCF’s commitment to supporting projects across the region that build employability and skills – offering young people not just hope, but the tools and confidence to shape their future.
Charles Burnett (1956–2018), a generous philanthropist who lived near Lymington, was deeply passionate about giving young people opportunities for personal development and connection with the natural world. Through his legacy, vulnerable young people are now being empowered through hands-on learning, teamwork, and adventure on the open sea.
Ocean Youth Trust South runs residential sailing voyages for young people aged 11 to 25, many of whom face significant challenges at home or in school. The charity’s voyages offer more than just a chance to sail; they are life-changing experiences that teach key skills such as confidence, resilience and communication.
Thanks to HIWCF funding, OYT South has partnered with Applemore College to deliver a series of five-day voyages aboard Prolific, their purpose-built sail training vessel. The students involved, aged 12 to 14, come from a range of disadvantaged backgrounds: the majority are eligible for Pupil Premium, many are young carers, some are working with Children’s Services, and others have additional educational or mental health needs.
“The incredible opportunity provided by OYT South to undertake the five-day voyage aboard Prolific, with help from their very generous donors, is simply invaluable to our students here at Applemore,” said Mark Robinson, Pastoral Lead at Applemore, “The leap forward we see in them during the week is fantastic and cannot be underestimated. When we talk about real breakthrough moments with children – this is what these voyages provide. It builds their self-esteem, confidence, sense of belonging and ability to deal with adversity. The benefit is monumental.”
Living near the sea and the New Forest might seem idyllic, but for many, access to nature and enrichment activities is limited by poverty and poor transport links.
Against this backdrop, a week at sea offers more than adventure, it becomes a catalyst for growth. Each young person is an active member of the crew, learning to steer the ship, handle sails, cook meals, and take on responsibilities around the clock. Every moment is a learning opportunity, and with the support of trained adult staff and volunteers, the students rise to the challenge. Many gain qualifications through the Royal Yachting Association, giving them a tangible sense of achievement – often for the first time.
These skills don’t just stay on board. The programme is embedded within Applemore College’s wider pastoral and educational support, ensuring the impact continues back in the classroom and beyond.
“It’s lovely to see the transformation from the students waiting to get on the boat – looking very nervous and unsure, huddled together – to seeing them five days later with huge smiles and a real sense of achievement,” continues Mark, “This applies to both the children and their parents or carers. Students go on to feel much more part of their community, they become more ambitious and start participating in clubs, like sea cadets, which they would never have considered before. It shows them what life can offer – and when you come from a disadvantaged background, that’s incredibly aspirational.”
OYT South typically runs one or two voyages each year through this programme, with up to 15 students per trip. Though the voyages are short, their impact is lasting. For many, this is a turning point – a moment where they discover their strengths, realise their potential, and start to imagine a different kind of future.
Through HIWCF’s Employability & Skills grant funding impact theme, and the generosity of the Charles Burnett Memorial Fund, young people who may have been overlooked are now being seen, supported, and celebrated. They are gaining the soft skills and self-belief so essential to success in education, employment, and life – and doing so under open skies, with the wind in their sails.

