The Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust is on the lookout for new talent to skipper on their 2023 trips
by Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust 18 Oct 2022 14:29 BST
The Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust skipper John Davies © The Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust
Could you do something incredible and use your sailing skills to make a difference to young people living through and beyond cancer? The Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust is looking for freelance skippers for the 2023 summer season.
If you're a Commercially Endorsed Yachtmaster, with a minimum of a Cruising Instructor endorsement, and are interested in inspiring young people to believe in a brighter future after cancer treatment, the Trust would love to hear from you.
A national charity that supports young people aged 8-24, the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust sails on four and five day trips from Cowes on the Isle of Wight and Largs on Scotland's west coast.
When treatment ends the Trust's work begins because for many young people picking up where they left off before their diagnosis just isn't possible.
Through sailing, young people have fun, gain a new sense of purpose and self-worth, rediscover independence, and feel optimism for the future. They realise what they are capable of again - physically, mentally, and socially - and stop feeling like 'the only one'. They start to re-establish their place in the world and can believe in a brighter future.
The trips
Each trip has a flotilla of between three and six boats so you need to be happy working as part of a larger team. The trips are a huge amount of fun with an underpinning focus on safety. An enhanced DBS / PVG check will be required as part of the process.
In 2022, an awesome 519 young people were supported by the Trust after two pandemic-affected years, with 266 of these enjoying a four-day sailing adventure for the first time, from Cowes or Largs. In addition, 190 young people returned to the Trust for further sailing adventures, including longer cruising voyages on the South Coast, Scotland's west coast, cruising in Devon on the stunning 98ft Prolific and the traditional Deep Sea Smack, Pioneer, on the East Coast. Some also took part in the Round The Island and ASTO Small Ships races.
Liz skippered for the Trust for the first time in 2021, having been a mate volunteer for many years. She said: "This is the highlight of my career and the thing that I've dreamed of my whole life is being a Trust skipper, so what do I like about it? Absolutely everything.
"I would say to other skippers it's the best sailing and the best experience you'll ever have, You'll never laugh so much, you might not cry so much, you definitely have to learn to play Uno, but it gives you something that is indefinable and absolutely beautiful."
How to apply
Visit Job vacancy - Freelance Skippers to apply and/or for more information.
Closing date:Monday 5 December 2022.
Successful applicants will be required to attend a skipper selection event on Tuesday 10 - Wednesday 11 January 2023.