Cirdan Youth View
The Cirdan Youth View is a forum made up of 16-25 year olds that have all sailed with The Cirdan Sailing Trust on a residential. Some have completed their Gold Duke of Edinburgh Residentials with us, whilst others have taken part in a voyage as a member of their school, college or youth group.
The Youth View committee will help us to shape the future of the Trust, bringing new ideas and suggestions on how we can enrich the work we do with young people like themselves.
Chloe - Chairperson
Chloe joined a Cirdan sailing residential in 2019 with Stevenage Education Support Centre, a small educational support centre for young people who have social, emotional and mental health challenges. This was onboard Duet and Chloe quickly gained a passion for sailing. Since then, she has sailed on all three of our vessels, helping other young people to learn and develop. As Chloe says, being out on the water is “my happy place.”
Dominic - Secretary
Dominic completed his Gold Duke of Edinburgh Residential onboard Duet in 2019 and has since become a Dinghy Sailing Instructor and has obtained his Day Skipper certificate, taking part in lots of dingy and yacht sailing. Dominic is also a DofE UK Youth Ambassador, aiming to make the award scheme more accessible to those from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Smile
Smile’s first introduction to Cirdan, or indeed any form of sailing, was onboard Faramir as a volunteer youth leader with a group of young adults in the northeast from a very diverse mix of racial and cultural backgrounds, and she instantly fell in love with spending time at sea. Heralding from northern India and studying at university in the northeast of England, Smile brings a rather unique point of view to the forum and is extremely keen to get back out on the water and help/ volunteer with other groups in the future.
Harley
Harley has sailed on Faramir several times, previously as a member of a youth group based in the northeast. His time onboard led him to pursue a career in the merchant navy. Harley started a deck cadetship with Carnival UK, where he gained significant practical and theoretical knowledge, including Powerboat Level 2 certification and advanced training in chart work, tides, and ship stability.
Steven
Steven sailed this year with his school class onboard Queen Galadriel and instantly fell in love with life onboard, proving himself to be a worthy member of crew and stepping up in a leadership role. Steven has since been back onboard Queen Galadriel to gain more experience and help build his confidence.
Emma
Although Emma only really joined a trip on Faramir with her brother as something to do in the summer holidays and as a welcome distraction from A-Levels, she instantly took to sailing and showed great natural ability. Keen to do much more sailing, and to gain a whole variety of new skills, it was an instant “yes” to join the Cirdan Youth View forum and young volunteers programme.