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About Us
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. One of our key beliefs is that all children and young people should have the same opportunity to learn sailing and watersports, 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.
It is our ethos that everything we offer is available to all abilities, working hard to ensure that we are not only fully accessible, but fully inclusive, too.
Activity & Operations Administrator
Full Time Seasonal
About You
You need to be comfortable in a customer facing role, just as much at ease talking to a business leader, visitor or a child with additional needs. You’ll be capable, adaptable and a very well organised individual who has a great working knowledge of all aspects of Microsoft Office and will have used booking systems before. A background in using Customer Relations Management (CRM) systems would also be an advantage.
An energetic, positive attitude with excellent communication skills, will be needed to deliver high quality experiences. We welcome everyone here so your understanding of the importance of equality and diversity, and a commitment to creating an inclusive culture will be key.
We’re looking forward to hearing from you.
The Role
The primary role of the Activities and Operations Administrator is to support the smooth running of the charity’s work at Trevassack Lake and the Helford River and ensure a high level of service is always provided.
You’ll be working to directly support the Activities Manager alongside the watersports team members where required, which could be on land or on water (on the water training provided as required), but always working to support our charitable aims, including our commercial (non-profit) offerings.
The role is currently offered to 31st October 2025 (possibility of a permanent position at the end of this time period) on a fixed term contract for full-time 37.5 hours per week, based at Trevassack Lake and could include working the occasional Saturday or Sunday on a flexible basis.
As you would expect working for a small charity, no two days are the same and we all ‘muck in’ to help achieve the bigger picture – which is part of what will make working for Children’s Sailing Trust so enjoyable.
Please download the Job Description for the full specification.
Further Details and How to Apply
To apply please send an up-to-date CV and letter of application along with your Application Form (above) to: rupert@childrenssailingtrust.org.uk
Or post to Rupert Whelan, Children’s Sailing Trust, Trevassack Lake, Garras, HELSTON, TR12 6LH
Salary: £23,985 FTE (£12.30 per hour)
Closing date: 14th March 2025
Contract Dates: Fixed-term to 31st October with the possibility of a permanent position at the end of this time period.
Please note any role is subject to satisfactory references and where appropriate DBS clearance (enhanced child workforce).
For any further information or to have an informal discussion about the role please call 01326 702326.
Lead Instructors (Helford River)
Full Time Seasonal
About You
Under the direction of the Chief Instructors at Helford River and Trevassack Lake, the Lead Senior Instructors will be responsible for the delivery and supervision of safe, high-quality watersports sessions to a variety of schools, groups and individuals at our Helford River and Trevassack Lake centres.
As an experienced Senior Instructor, you will be able to work independently within a group whilst ensuring less experienced Instructors are given the support they need, when necessary.
The Lead Senior Instructor will oversee a team of Senior Instructors, Dinghy Instructors, Assistant Instructors and Volunteers as duty officer in the absence of the Chief Instructor.
As with all our team members, we’re looking for someone fun-loving and qualified, who knows it isn’t always plain sailing but, with the ability to build rapport with children, young people and their families, can turn frowns upside down.
An energetic, positive attitude with excellent communication skills, will be needed to continue to motivate and deliver high quality experiences. We welcome everyone here so your understanding of the importance of equality and diversity, and a commitment to creating an inclusive culture will be key.
We’re looking forward to hearing from you.
Working with CST
Working with the best backdrops for any sailing centre, anywhere, the beautiful Helford River valley and the serene, picturesque Trevassack Lake at the heart of the Lizard peninsula, we feel very lucky.
On the river, you commute to the sailing beach by powerboat – a fun way for you and the students to start their sessions. On the lake, experience the joy of silent, electric motors, perfect for on-the-water coaching or peaceful outings for those with special educational needs.
Team CST work with busy school sessions and courses, but with a chilled atmosphere, ideal for instructors who can think for themselves whilst working as a team.
Further Details and How to Apply
To apply please send an up-to-date CV and letter of application along with your Application Form (above) to: rupert@childrenssailingtrust.org.uk
Or post to Rupert Whelan, Children’s Sailing Trust, Trevassack Lake, Garras, HELSTON, TR12 6LH
Closing date: ongoing
Contract Dates: anytime between March through to early November
Please note any role is subject to satisfactory references and where appropriate DBS clearance (enhanced child workforce).
For any further information or to have an informal discussion about the roles please call 01326 702326.
Seasonal Instructors (March-end October)
Senior Instructors | Dinghy Instructors | Activity Instructors
About You
Let us know what your USP is – everyone has something special to offer when it comes to inspiring young people and we welcome all, but you need to be able to take the rough with the smooth, the dull with the spectacular, the paperwork with the splashing around.
You’ll be working with people from all kinds of background, from mainstream schools to SEND colleges, adult team-building to young children because everyone deserves to feel the freedom of being on the water – including you!
We’re looking forward to hearing from you.
Joining Team CST
Working with the best backdrops for any sailing centre, anywhere, the beautiful Helford River valley and the serene, picturesque Trevassack Lake at the heart of the Lizard peninsula, we feel very lucky.
On the river, you commute to the sailing beach by powerboat – a fun way for you and the students to start their sessions. On the lake, experience the joy of silent, electric motors, perfect for on-the-water coaching or peaceful outings for those with special educational needs.
Team CST work with busy school sessions and courses, but with a chilled atmosphere, ideal for instructors who can think for themselves whilst working as a team.
Rates of pay are dependant on experience and qualifications.
Working up to 5 days in 7 (to include weekends, evenings and bank holidays when required).
About the Roles
Senior Instructor and Activity/Dinghy Instructor
Working under the direction of the Activities Manager and Lead Instructor, Senior Instructors and Activity/Dinghy Instructors are responsible for the delivery of high quality watersports sessions to a wide variety of groups and individuals.
Senior Instructors oversee Activity/Dinghy Instructors plus Volunteers, and will take day to day responsibility for management of sessions and equipment.
A full induction, familiarisation and training package is provided.
Qualifications and Experience
We are looking for experienced RYA qualified Senior Instructors and Activity/Dinghy Instructors who ideally will have worked in similar roles successfully delivering a Youth Sailing Scheme for at least a year. A Paddlesport Instructor or Leader and/or a Powerboat Instructor qualification is desirable.
Further Details and How to Apply
A copy of the Job Description (with further details of the person specification) can be downloaded below or requested by email: rupert@childrenssailingtrust.org.uk
To apply please send an up-to-date CV and letter of application to: rupert@childrenssailingtrust.org.uk
Or post to Rupert Whelan, Children’s Sailing Trust, Trevassack Lake, Garras, HELSTON, TR12 6LH
Closing date: ongoing
Contract Dates: anytime between March through to early November
Please note any role is subject to satisfactory references and where appropriate DBS clearance (enhanced child workforce).
For any further information or to have an informal discussion about the roles please call 01326 702326.
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