In 2024, an Early Intervention in Psychosis Service had the opportunity to take service users on a six-day sailing adventure along the Scottish west coast.  The trip saw 13 sailors, including 10 people with lived experience of psychosis and three staff members, travel from Glasgow to Oban, on one leg of the ‘Voyage to Recovery’ project, that saw other Early Intervention in Psychosis crews from across the country set sail around the UK mainland. 

We have been working with the Essex Wellbeing Service for a number of months and have been awarded their Small Business Workplace Wellbeing Award this year.

As part of the programme, we have set up a robust Workplace Health and Wellbeing programme for all our staff at Cirdan. This includes access to mental health first aid training, and manager training and online training on a variety of health and wellbeing topics.

We receive a huge amount of positive and inspiring feedback from individuals, groups and leaders who experience a Cirdan voyage. In 2025 we are focusing on #thepowerofpositivity and will be sharing an inspirational quote everyday for the next 365 days!

We are pleased to announce that Steven has been recognised as the 2024 Cirdan Sail Trainee of the Year! This is awarded by Cirdan to an individual that has gone above and beyond on a sailing voyage, demonstrated a keen willingness to learn and understanding of how our boats work as well as helping others.

Congratulations to our Skipper Charlotte, Bosun Matt and CEO Ed for all being recognised at the East Anglian Maritime Awards last night! All three have been recognised for their contribution to The Cirdan Sailing Trust, helping change many young people's lives through sail training. The team is pictured with Jennifer Tolhurst, Lord-Lieutenant of Essex, who presented the awards.

Chloe, Chairman of the Cirdan Youth View forum, has a passion for helping others like herself and is keen to give them reassurance before they join a voyage. Chloe has epilepsy and ADHD, and is very open about her conditions and how they haven’t stopped her from pursuing her love for the outdoors, especially sailing.

We are pleased to announce we have been selected as a finalist for the Outstanding Organisation Award at the Head Outside Awards 2024!

The judging panel said: “Your exceptional use of adventure therapy through sailing, helping disadvantaged young people and adults with mental health challenges, truly stood out. Your organisation’s impact is remarkable, and we are thrilled to recognise your contributions.”

Thousands of young people have climbed Queen Galadriel’s rigging over the years and it is the most common thing that gets mentioned in our voyages feedback.

It has reached the end of its life however and this winter we need to replace it.

We are pleased to introduce five members to The Cirdan Sailing Trust Youth View forum, who will help us shape the future of the Trust.

In April, a group of 10 Early Intervention in Psychosis services users and three leaders began an exciting passage voyage from Ipswich in Suffolk to Gosport in Hampshire.

Henry first joined Cirdan on a sailing voyage as part of a group from Wells Sea Cadets in 2017, sailing onboard Faramir. Since then he has continued to pursue offshore sailing, and was nominated for the Proficiency Category at the East Anglian Maritime Awards.

Chloe, who has sailed with Cirdan several times in the last few years, was invited to attend the Girdlers Prize Giving Ceremony in London on Wednesday 8th May, where she was awarded a prestigious Girdlers Medallion in recognition of her talents and endeavours.

Aged 14-21 and want to help us develop? We are setting up The Cirdan Sailing Trust Youth View to give the opportunity for a group of young people to help shape The Trust’s future and are on the look out for a number of initial members.

A thank you from our trustee Charles who completed the Brighton Marathon to help raise funds for a new Cirdan minibus.

We recently welcomed a group of women for a sailing weekend onboard Queen Galadriel. The group like to challenge themselves each year and try something new, and this year they chose a voyage on Queen Galadriel, sailing from Ipswich and back. Read on to find out how their adventure went…

The office staff face their fears for Cirdan’s Year of Challenge!

Take part in the exhilarating Round the Island Race with us in Cowes! No experience necessary, we will teach you everything you need to know.

On International Women’s Day we're shining the spotlight on our female staff, both crew and on-shore, who work so hard to help young people experience life at sea and develop as individuals.

As part of Cirdan’s Year of Challenge, our wonderful trustee Charles will be taking part in the Brighton Marathon on Sunday 7th April to help raise funds for a new minibus. Training is going well, he is currently up to 14.5 miles!

Our 2023 News & Performance Review is now available to read in full.