the impact of our work
Case Studies
It is important that we monitor our students to see how they progress through our programme, constantly assessing feedback to improve our offering and to make sure each student has the opportunity to reach their potential. Below are some examples of recent stories about people who have benefited from our charitable work:
About CST
Children’s Sailing Trust (CST) is a charity based in Cornwall that offers access to sailing and watersports to children aged 8-16, as well as young people with additional needs. We are passionate about using these activities as a tool to develop confidence, competence and resilience, enabling participants to reach their full potential in life. We believe that all children should have the opportunity to learn to sail, irrespective of financial challenges, disabilities or special educational needs.
2024 sees the 27th year of our charity working on the Helford River taking local children, young people and adults sailing via our term-time schools programme, after school programme, weekend and commercial holiday courses. Our second location is the Trust’s fully accessible watersports centre at Trevassack Lake on the Lizard Peninsula. Complementing our current activities, Trevassack Lake enables us to offer watersports to a wider range of participants with specialist equipment that allows opportunities for all.
Student Stories Student Stories Student Stories
Parent’s Story
“I am sure that his time with the Trust gave him an outlet at a difficult time in his life, and without it he would not be the success he is today”
Duncan’s story
“My son began sailing with the Trust when attending primary school. Initially he found it very difficult and scary, but with the support of the instructors, one day something clicked. He became so enthusiastic that both me and my wife began to volunteer with the Trust, gaining our powerboat licence. My son continued to sail with your summer schools and continued to be involved even when he left primary school. During this time he was diagnosed with Tourette’s and had difficulty settling into secondary school. His identity became very much tied up in what he did outside of school. The Trust became a sanctuary for him where he could succeed. He was voted sailor of the year and a highlight was receiving his trophy from Ben Ainslie. He also went on to meet Princess Anne during a visit to the Trust and sailed with the pre-Olympic squad.
His time in school was becoming more and more difficult and he was in danger of becoming a school refuser. We approached the school and he went on to a restricted timetable. During his days away from school, he happily cycled to the Helford and worked alongside instructors, working with children as an Assistant Instructor and a powerboat driver. He continued to do this for the next couple of years and I believe this was a contributory factor to him being very successful in his GCSEs. He went on to Truro College and continued with his work for the Trust. At 16, he went to train as a Dinghy Instructor at a different centre and gained his award as one of the youngest participants they had ever had. Once at University, he studied dance and taught sailing at Docklands in London and back in Cornwall each summer.
We all feel immense pride when parents and children talk about my son working with them, and how the work he was blessed enough to be a part of is passed on to the next generation. He continues to love the water and sailing, however, his studies have taken him away. He now has completed his Masters degree at a prestigious dance conservatoire and has begun his career as a freelance dancer. I am sure that his time with the Trust gave him an outlet at a difficult time in his life, and without it he would not be the success he is today. He will always love the water and I am sure will continue to sail.”
Overcoming Anxiety
“She was initially very reluctant to do the sailing course”
Kate is adopted and comes from a background of childhood trauma and neglect.
This has had a huge impact on her self-esteem, confidence, and ability to form meaningful relationships with her peers and adults. She also suffers from high levels of anxiety, which prevents her from trying new things. She was initially very reluctant to do the sailing course because it was with a group she didn’t know, doing an activity she had never done before. We encouraged her to take part and much to her and our surprise she loved it!
She has been very proud of the new skills she’s learnt and has really enjoyed getting to know some new people in a structured and safe environment. She has said that doing the sailing helps her manage the anxiety she has felt in school and gives her time to “decompress”. She feels calmer at home afterwards. Making new friends and being told she is good at a new activity has boosted her self-confidence, and this is starting to translate into her everyday life. She has loved the teamwork and camaraderie on the course and would certainly like to continue her sailing journey.”
~ Kate’s Parent
SEND Example
“Unable to play alongside others, share, talk openly or even enter water, Peter…has overcome his fear of water”
“Peter has found the experience a very positive one. Unable to play alongside others, share, talk openly or even enter water, Peter secured a place with the Trust and has overcome his fear of water, something which is essential in Cornwall, and has helped others to do the same. Peter’s compassion, resilience and mental well-being has developed profoundly, and he is visibly calmer and engaged. In school Peter is transferring these skills and succeeding enough to return to a mainstream setting after Christmas. A positive outcome for everyone.”
~ Angela Little, Penwith APA, KS2 Teacher and Sailing Co Ordinator
Peter’s Story
Peter lives in a deprived area of South West Cornwall and has suffered extreme mental | physical abuse.
On a daily basis Peter presents as angry, anxious and emotional. Peter refuses to engage in education and will physical destroy a classroom, bite and stab teachers and attempt to control all adults through either abusive language or reverting to baby behaviour. Peter does not sit with others to eat, learn and turns play to inappropriate play with reference to sex, drugs and violence.
On the first trip to meet the CST team Peter became violent in the transport, refused to put a wetsuit on and screamed and stamped around on the beach. Peter refused to get on any boats and was returned to transport to return home.
In week two, Peter managed the journey and aggressively and angrily put on a wetsuit, thanks to the patience of the CST team. Peter managed to get on the water ferry, and was transported to Cow beach and back. Again Peter refused to try out sailing but remained calm although verbally anxious.
In week three, Peter was brave enough and had enough trust in the CST staff to attempt to row a Kayak, once in the kayak though Peter was extremely scared and frustrated, but the CST crew scaffold around him and reassure him enough to complete the session and feel a huge sense of achievement.
In the following weeks Peter went from strength to strength and enjoyed being free and childlike jumping into the water, sailing and kayaking, and having fun while learning new skills.
Peter would never have been able to experience the water that is so close to his own home without the help of CST, enabling him to be more secure and confident back in school and home. Peter can now manage lessons and social situations with more confidence and security in his own capabilities.
Being able to build trust in adults again, who in his past have let him down on so many levels has been monumental for Peter.
Thank you CST.
School Success Story
“This had a dramatic impact on his confidence”
This boy struggled with low self-esteem…often compared himself unfavourably to his peers.
“Sailing has had a huge impact. This boy struggled with low self-esteem. He often took comments from other pupils to heart and even at times reacted physically, which in turn meant he had to face sanctions. He often compared himself unfavourably to his peers who appeared to achieve in all areas of the curriculum. He had a love for the outdoors and one of the areas of the curriculum he felt more confident with was anything to do with outdoor education. When he started sailing, he seemed to excel with the sport right from the start. This had a dramatic impact on his confidence. His relationship with his peers improved and the number of negative incidents reduced. Children’s Sailing Trust not only offered the experience of learning to sail, but recognised achievements in RYA stages. He was seen to be achieving in a well-recognised and highly respected sport. He took part each week no matter what the weather, and at the end of the year, he took part in the Interschools Regatta and was a major player in helping the school win first place. By the end of Year 6 he was able to stand tall with his peers as he was acknowledged for his successes in sailing. I have no doubt that the experience of learning to sail will be a major contributing factor to his later successes in life.”
~ Emma Stritt, Head Teacher, Trannack Primary School