Our team, whether our volunteers, staff or Trustees are amazing passionate people who put young people first and love the thought that adventures at sea can turn lives around.
Could you help us shore-side or on one of our boats? Perhaps boat maintenance and being more practical is more your thing?
Whether you are looking for a new job, looking for a career move, wanting to grow your experience in the marine industry or volunteer then one of these roles could be for you.
We currently have a selection of live opportunities:
Admin and Communications Assistant (Part Time / 16 hours a week)
Join the Challenge Wales team ashore and play a vital role in supporting the charity. You’ll be the friendly first point of contact, keep the office running smoothly, manage bookings and help with newsletters, social media and supporting volunteers. You’ll use your organisation and communication skills to make a real difference. Whether you’re starting your career or bringing years of experience if you’re enthusiastic, enjoy processes and people then we’d love to hear from you.
For details of the role, salary and how to apply please read the job description here.
Application deadline is 30th April 2025. Applications will be reviewed as soon as they are received. Interviews will aim to take place from 28th April – 10th May at the Challenge Wales office, Penarth.
MAINTENANCE Volunteers
Join Challenge Wales as a maintenance volunteer and help keep our ail training vessel shipshape! We’re looking for enthusiastic volunteers – skilled or unskilled – to tackle a variety of maintenance tasks, from painting to cleaning to basic repairs and specialist projects. No previous boat experience needed just a willingness to learn and get stuck in.
Volunteering with Challenge Wales is a great way to develop practical skills, meet new people and make a real difference to a small charity. Maintenance takes place most of the year with Dec – May 2025 being our refit period in Gosport and then period maintenance when the boat has its down time in Penarth, near Cardiff. Please note this is an unpaid volunteer role. Apply and complete your Volunteer Form today!
Mate – currently paused while reviewing applications and interviewing
Challenge Wales has an exciting opportunity for a Mate to join the team, initially starting in May 2025 and finishing November 2025 although this could be extended for the right person to continue into the 2026/2027 season.
This role is a mixture of sailing and maintenance, leading our volunteer crew and ensuring our guests (whether young people or adults) get the best experience while onboard Challenge Wales. If you are highly motivated and looking for your next step for your sailing CV this could be an opportunity for you. You will need a valid RYA Yachtmaster Offshore and ENG1 for this role as well as a positive outlook and be a people-person! This role will be based out of Penarth (near Cardiff), which is the home port of Challenge Wales with some voyages taking place around the UK and Channel Islands in 2025.
For details of the role, salary and how to apply please read the Mate job description here.
This post is being recruited to start in May. Application deadline is 5th April 2025. Applications will be reviewed as soon as they are received. Interviews will take place in March and first week of April depending on the submission of the application.
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Trustee Position – currently paused
This is a voluntary position.
Challenge Wales is looking for at least two new Trustees who can help the Charity grow and develop over the next 5 years. We are particularly keen to hear from applicants who have a maritime / marine background, Governance, Fundraising, have been service users/beneficiaries or feel they have particular skills and knowledge to offer the charity.
Read the Trustee Role spec here.
Download and complete the Trustee Application Form here.
Deadline for applying: We would like to welcome new Trustee(s) as soon as possible onto the Board so would encourage those interested to apply as soon as possible. Prospect Trustees will be invited for an informal chat with the Chair of Trustees before being invited to the next board meeting as a guest.
Croesewir ceisiadau yn Gymraeg | Applications welcome in Welsh
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Volunteer Crew and Shore-Side Volunteers
Volunteering can be a really rewarding experience giving you the experience to pass down your sailing knowledge, life skills and personal life experiences. But, volunteering with Challenge Wales can also give you the opportunity to improve your sailing, give you access into the youth work sector, help you achieve your sailing qualifications, help you improve and use your maintenance skills and provide opportunities to meet other, like-minded people whether part of the crew team, maintenance team or fundraising team. Challenge Wales is looking for volunteer crew (at a variety of levels who must be fit, active and mobile), maintenance volunteers and fundraisers. These are unpaid positions and for crewing a minimum commitment is required. There are opportunities to be volunteer competent crew, volunteer watchleaders and volunteer Mate’s and for those volunteers who are keen to take on additional responsibilities there is progression opportunities to Skipper roles too.
For further details check out the volunteering section on the website.
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Fundraising Group Volunteers
This is a voluntary position.
Challenge Wales has launched a Fundraising Committee but is looking for more volunteers to drive it forwards. This is an opportunity if you are a people-person, can help run a stand, deliver posters, help with events and get companies involved. If you would like more information then please email Vicky, our Business Development Manager for more information.