Challenge Wales Charity to Close But Legacy Secured

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After more than 16 transformative years inspiring young lives at sea, Penarth-based charity, Challenge Wales will close its doors at the end of September. The legacy though of the charity will live on as its Challenge 72 yacht Challenge Wales | Wales’ Tall Ship will transfer to Tall Ships Youth Trust (TSYT) safeguarding its sail training legacy for generations of young people in Wales and across the UK.

Challenge Wales, an award-winning charity, has empowered almost 5,000 young people through outdoor learning at sea, environmental stewardship, education and improving mental health. Working tirelessly with predominantly disadvantaged young people to raise aspirations, reduce inequality and to lead social inclusion through access to sail training opportunities helping young people to reach their potential.

Faced with mounting financial pressures and the challenge of maintaining an iconic vessel, the Charity has found it difficult to continue its work in a sustainable way. After careful consideration the Trustees made the very difficult decision to close the Charity.

Andy Hall (Co-Founder and Skipper from 2009 – 2022) and Vicky Williams (Co-Founder), had never intended to run or grow an outdoor youth-focussed charity dedicating thousands of hours to the cause. Vicky says: “I couldn’t have imagined the immense impact Challenge Wales would have – not only for young people but our amazing volunteers too. Through sail training, we’ve helped broaden horizons and improve employability, helping young people reach their potential and have a brighter future.  Though it is emotional to say farewell, we are incredibly proud of what we’ve achieved.”

College students sailing on Challenge Wales

In keeping with the Charity’s commitment to its mission to support young people in personal development, the Charity is excited to announce that its vessel Challenge Wales will transfer into the ownership of the Tall Ships Youth Trust (TSYT) on 1st October.

Tall Ships Youth Trust, a well-established youth development and outdoor learning charity already operates four Challenge 72 vessels. Over the next few years, TSYT aims to significantly increase the number of young people it supports. The transfer of Challenge Wales to their fleet will boost their capacity and secure the legacy of giving young people across Wales access to life-changing voyages. Wales will continue to play a vital role as a regional hub within TSYT’s national network.

Alastair Floyd, CEO of Tall Ships Youth Trust commented: “We’re thrilled to collaborate with Challenge Wales to build on their extraordinary legacy. From October 2025, the Challenge Wales vessel will join our fleet and we are excited to provide youth development on the ocean through our three-voyage journey of Exploration, Empowerment and Leadership delivered over many weeks of voyaging from Wales from 2026.”

Helen Phillips, Chair of the Board of Trustees at Challenge Wales adds: “We’re extremely proud of the impact the Challenge Wales has had but the recent years have been extremely challenging. Our work is unique in Wales, and the Trustees felt it was vital to find the best way to continue supporting young people in relating their potential whilst building on the Charity’s legacy”.


Finally, Paul Glaze, CEO of CWVYS (Council for Wales of Voluntary Youth Services) commented: Challenge Wales has made an astoundingly successful contribution to the delivery of youth work in Wales. Turning sailing into invaluable, transformational opportunities for young people has been truly inspirational. Its closure will be felt in Wales, but it leaves a long-lasting legacy”.

Challenge Wales created a unique volunteer community with over 500 volunteers getting involved over the years. A volunteer pathway has been set up enabling Challenge Wales volunteers to continue their volunteering with Tall Ships Youth Trust.

Together, Challenge Wales and Tall Ships Youth Trust are ensuring a lasting legacy – protecting the past, sustaining the present, and creating new opportunities for the future.

Read the full joint statement.

Come and join Challenge Wales for her final sailing trip from Penarth to Gosport. This is an adult only voyage and will be the last opportunity to sail her under the Challenge Wales banner!
Leg 1: Penarth – Plymouth 19th – 24th September – £475
Leg 2: Plymouth – Gosport 25th – 29th September – £475
Double up and do both legs: Penarth – Gosport 19th – 29th September -£795
Suitable for solo travellers, couples of small groups, no sailing experience required but a great milebuilder if you are looking for your next sailing qualification. To read more about the itinerary click here and to book call 029 20 704657 or email reservations@challengewales.org

Challenge Wales Volunteers Help Spruce Up The Severn

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A small team of Challenge Wales shore-side volunteers, armed with litter-pickers and a passion for the environment, recently took part in the Severn Estuary Spring Clean.

The aim of the campaign, co-ordinated by Severn Estuary Partnership is to help reduce the flow of litter into the sea.

The Challenge Wales charity is passionate about sustainability and one of its programmes focuses on microplastics in Cardiff Bay; raising awareness of this growing issue. These small plastic fragments, along with larger debris, travel down from the valleys via the rivers, accumulating in Cardiff Bay, before heading out into the Bristol Channel and out to sea. However, these plastics pose a danger to wildlife and risk entering the food chain.

The team tackled a small waterside area in Cardiff Bay, yet even within this limited space, the extent of the plastic waste was eye-opening. One first-time volunteer was shocked by the sheer volume of microplastics and rubbish underfoot highlighting how prevalent the issue had become.

Beyond clean-ups Challenge Wales shore-side programme ‘Sea and Tell’ uses structured sessions to introduce environmental issues, ocean literacy and STEM subjects & marine careers to young people and can be seen as a stepping stone into its sail training programme or be used as a stand alone activity. With each session looking at microplastics and man-made debris in Cardiff Bay.

If you are interested in finding out more about the shore side ‘Sea and Tell’ programme Challenge Wales runs in addition to its sail training programme then please visit the website or contact the Challenge Wales team.

Currently, sessions are available thanks to funding by Welsh Government’s Landfill Disposals Tax Communities Scheme (administered by WCVA).

Challenge Wales departing Aberdeen

Help Upgrade Challenge Wales

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Challenge Wales continues to fundraise to raise an additional £50,000 this season to enhance and upgrade Wales’ Tall Ship – Challenge Wales. By investing in improvements, the charity can continue to support young people across Wales and the UK to steer towards a brighter future and reach their potential.

Challenge Wales activities are transformational, giving young people an opportunity to develop employability skills, improve resilience, improve self-confidence, improve teamwork and communication skills while in a safe and fun learning environnment…at sea. Our activities are evidenced to improve mental health, and provide a pathway into the marine industry whether it is a first step on the ladder, learning about environmental stewardship and ocean literacy or by bringing STEM subjects to life. But young lives don’t change unless our team of amazing volunteers are there. A dedicated group of people who ensure young people get the best out of their voyage and out of themselves but are also there helping to get the boat ship-shape through maintenance activities.

Vicky Williams, Co-Founder of Challenge Wales says: “Where funding from Trusts and Foundations is becoming extremely limited due to many other charities ‘fighting’ for the same pot of money and not enough funding to go around, we need to look wider at how we bring much needed funds into the charity, and do this continuously throughout the year. But last year due to the cost-of-living crisis we need financial support more than ever. Fundraising enables us to keep the lights on, our doors open and continue to provide outdoor learning for young people. Not only will it help our future sustainability as an organisation but with the majority of young people needing bursaries to jump onboard, we continue to rely on Trusts for bursary support for our young people.”

Young people who have sailed on Challenge Wales over the last 16 years have come from a diverse range of backgrounds; from young carers to those that are homeless, to those who have lost focus in life to those who have are in the care system, to those who are unemployed or suffering from mental health issues to those who want to try an adventure, to those who have faced inequalities to those who need help finding a career or purpose. We’ve been there for them, so can you be here for us now and help us with a donation.

Where your money will go:

Lift Out and scrubbing & painting her bottom: This helps keep Challenge Wales ship shape and is vital for safety and longevity. Lifting 50 tonnes of boat, landing her and storing her on land in the boat yard is no mean feat and takes a team to do this. The boat will be stored on land for around 13 weeks in a boat yard near Portsmouth, which is one of the only yards available to take her out due to her large size – Thank you: This part of the project has now been funded.

Life Jacket and Life Raft servicing: Safety is crucial onboard a sail training vessel and all our safety equipment gets replaced after time or if they get damaged during the season

VHF Radio System: We need to replace our current system which is vital for communication and safety during sailing

Radar: Our radar is almost 20 years old and now needs replacing. It enables us to safely navigate in low visibility conditions. Thank you: This part of the project has now been funded outside this funding appeal.

Marine Computers / navigation displays and onboard systems: Over the years our computers and systems which provide information to help us navigate safely start to feel their age. These systems help us understand the boat speed, boat depth and wind and computers also help us bring our below deck space to life as an interactive classroom. Marine electronic equipment is naturally more expensive than what you will find in your home or office as it needs to be durable to withstand the moving motion of the boat.

Refit Bits and Bobs and Ongoing Planned Maintenance: There are lots of other things that we need during maintenance activities with Challenge Wales. From hiring scaffolding ladders to masking tape! We always need specialist tradespeople to help us look after Challenge Wales and do the jobs that our volunteers are not trained to do, from welding to carpentry and more. Due to Challenge Wales being a steel boat it is not uncommon for significant welding work to take place inside and out and this year we are aware the welding costs are around £70,000! But we also need tools for volunteers to help them do some of the tasks including paintbrushes, PPE and then we need anti-fouling paint….and lots of it. We will need people to remove our galley and store it ashore while our maintenance work is being undertaken. Once the main refit is done then we continue to require funding for planned maintenance activities that will take place from May to September. This includes servicing winches, making any sail repairs, repairing our windlass (which helps us haul our huge anchor up) having new cabling, undertaking minor repairs etc.

Core Costs: Core costs are those important running costs that means we can manage and do all our maintenance and sail training work this season, it covers a contribution towards insurance, our mooring fees, our electricity, stationery and our office costs. Not covering these costs will impact on the work that we need to do. Very few funders cover core costs meaning it can cause charities to struggle, but is one of the most important costs to cover for charities.

Compass: We always need to know if we are coming or going and our compass will certainly help point us in the right direction. Our current compass is damaged and will need replacing.

How to Donate:
You can donate securely directly to our Justgiving Upgrade campaign page. You can do that here.

If you wish to speak to us about your donation, or are wishing to donate directly or help us with support of in-kind donations then please call us on 029 20 704657 or contact us through the Contact form at the top of the website. Thank you.

Should we raise more or less of the funding we require for our upgrade, then at the Trustees discretion the charity will use the funds as they see fit in the best interests of Challenge Wales. If we raise more funds then we plan to the charity will put the additional funds towards our bursary fund to support more young people. If we raise less funds we will be able to start to undertake the work in phases.

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Your Vote Matters – Empower Young Lives in March with a Click!

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Can you help Challenge Wales in the My Favourite Voucher Codes Charity Poll, that is running throughout March 2025. It’s free to enter and could help change a young person’s life.

[Edit 1st April] – Thank you to everyone who voted for us, we came second place which wasn’t enough to secure the funding but to be fair there were four amazing charities doing really important work that were vying for everyone’s votes!

The sea, a vast and powerful force, has long been a catalyst for transformation. At Challenge Wales, we harness this power to equip young individuals with vital life skills, fostering resilience, teamwork, and self-discovery. In March 2025, YOU have the unique opportunity to amplify our impact by participating in the My Favourite Voucher Codes monthly charity poll. Your vote will directly contribute to our mission of providing life-changing outdoor learning experiences at sea.

Understanding My Favourite Voucher Codes: A Partnership for Positive Change

My Favourite Voucher Codes operates as a conduit between consumers and charitable causes. Beyond its function as a provider of discount codes and online savings, the platform demonstrates a commendable commitment to social responsibility. Each month, 20% of their profits is donated to a charity, determined by a public vote.

Each month, visitors to the site get to choose between 4 nominated charities, and vote for the one they want to see win the donation. At the end of the month, the charity with the most votes, wins!

This month, March 2025, Challenge Wales are hoping to be the next good cause to win the MFVC charity poll. But Challenge Wales can’t do this without you!

The Transformative Impact of Your Vote: Investing in Future Generations

Challenge Wales is not merely about sailing; it is about cultivating essential life skills within a challenging and immersive environment. Our activities are designed to address the specific needs of young people, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds, who often lack access to transformative experiences and opportunities. Through sailing we foster teamwork and communication skills, develop leadership skills, improve mental health and wellbeing, resilience and improve self-confidence and self-esteem. The predominantly volunteer-run charity helps young people develop their employability skills, brings STEM subjects and Ocean Literacy to life enabling them to reach their potential and have a brighter future.

The funds secured through the My Favourite Voucher Codes poll will contribute towards:

  • Operating the Challenge Wales sail training vessel, enabling more young people to have the opportunity to have a life-enhancing experience
  • Helping make activities more accessible through the Challenge Wales bursary fund

How to Cast Your Vote: A Simple and Accessible Process

Participating in the My Favourite Voucher Codes charity poll is a straightforward and accessible process – it’s free and you don’t have to sign up to anything either. During the month of March 2025, please follow these steps:

  1. Head to the Website: Visit the My Favourite Voucher Codes website at https://www.myfavouritevouchercodes.co.uk/.
  2. Locate the Charity Poll: Identify the charity poll section, this will appear on the right hand side of the page or at the bottom of the page. If using your phone to vote you may have to scroll down to the bottom of the page.
  3. Select Challenge Wales: Find Challenge Wales within the list of participating charities.
  4. Cast Your Vote: Click the designated vote button adjacent to our charity’s name ‘Challenge Wales’.

This simple action will contribute to our potential to secure vital funding. It is important to remember that voting is completely free, and no purchase or sign up is needed.

A Call to Action: Your Vote Matters

Your vote represents a tangible investment in the future of young people. By participating in the My Favourite Voucher Codes charity poll in March 2025 and voting for Challenge Wales you are directly contributing to our mission of empowering young individuals through transformative outdoor learning experiences. Visit https://www.myfavouritevouchercodes.co.uk/ in March 2025 and cast your vote for Challenge Wales.

A Message of Gratitude: Sailing Towards a Brighter Future

We extend our sincere gratitude for your support. Your commitment to our mission enables us to provide life-changing opportunities for young people, fostering a brighter future for individuals and communities alike. Together, we can harness the power of the sea to create lasting positive change.

Enterprise Mobility Helps Drive More Outdoor Learning Opportunities

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Thanks to a £2,000 donation from Enterprise Mobility, more young people will have the opportunity to learn employability skills and have access to outdoor learning with Challenge Wales.

This generous donation will enable more young individuals to engage in transformative outdoor learning experiences which fostering personal growth, resilience, a deeper connection with the ocean and improves employability skills,, helping young people achieve their potential. The Challenge Wales programme not only enhances academic learning but promotes physical and emotional well-being.

“We are incredibly grateful for the support from Enterprise Mobility” said Vicky Williams, Challenge Wales Co-Founder and Business Development Manager, “This donation will help us deliver more outdoor learning opportunities helping to put more young people on the road to a positive future”.

“At Enterprise Mobility, we are deeply invested in supporting and bettering our local communities. It has been a pleasure to donate to Challenge Wales, an organization that changes lives through their unique voyage experiences. As  local Welsh business partner, we are delighted to see the impact this contribution will have on their efforts to develop life skills and provide life-changing opportunities. We look forward to continuing our partnership and supporting their incredible work” Abby Shardlow, Area Manager South Wales.

Challenge Wales youth development programme continues until November, and will then restart in April 2025. Activities range from 3-hour shore-side sessions focussed on microplastics to 1 day accredited voyages with Agored Cymru to 5 day and longer residential activities. Bursary funding helps many young people jump onboard to improve access to these opportunities for those who would benefit the most.

Tall Ships Races; An Epic Summer Adventure

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Challenge Wales is taking part in the Tall Ships Races Series, sailing around 1,200 miles and crewed by young people aged 16 – 25 years.

Before the Tall Ships Races started proper, we had a small group of young people join us for our Falmouth Mini Voyage which took us from Falmouth to Plymouth and back, and who then experienced the frivolities of the crew parade, took part in the inter-crew sports and had the opportunity to climb one of the traditional square riggers in port.

Team Challenge Wales after the crew parade!

Leg 1 of the Tall Ships Races was to take Challenge Wales from Falmouth to Acoruna, across the Bay of Biscay and after we said goodbye to those who joined us on our mini voyage, we said Ahoy and gave a big Welsh Challenge Wales welcome to our new group of young people; individuals from different parts of the UK and overseas.

Storm Betty and lots of fog hampered the start of the race, although it gave the Challenge Wales team and other participants an extra day of training and getting used to living on a boat, but the race started a day later.

The race was a virtual start (now starting on 19th August), which meant Challenge Wales had a few hours to cross the start line. That first day was a bit bumpy thanks to the remnants of the storm but in the middle of the night the wind dropped, which although was welcomed by some of the crew didn’t help our speed in the race!

The Tall Ships Races is an amazing youth event bringing people together from all over the world, and it isn’t just about sailing, it is about the whole experience and being close to the natural world. After the first day was over, we asked those onboard what was the favourite things they’ve seen; seeing dolphins topped the list but was closely followed by “seeing the bioluminescence at night where the water would glow before the dolphins break the surface” while others were amazed at how bright the shooting stars were.

Our second night at sea, saw Challenge Wales becalmed at 0300hrs and got overtaken by another vessel in the race, but the wind made an appearance at 0800hrs this morning so we are second in Class C/D with quite a few of the boats still way behind us.

Challenge Wales is the orange boat in the race

You can follow the progress of Challenge Wales and the Tall Ships fleet here.

Where is the Tall Ships Race heading to and can I still jump onboard?
Yes, you can still be part of this event and jump onboard! Challenge Wales is currently racing from Falmouth to Acoruna (Spain). The next leg starts Acoruna (26th August) and finishes in Lisbon (2nd September) and is a Cruise in Company which involves sailing with the fleet and visiting a couple more ports. The final race is Lisbon (2nd September) to Cadiz (9th September), a short race where the Tall Ships event will finish. Challenge Wales is sailing from Cadiz to Cardiff, via A Coruna for her homeward bound voyage (join Cadiz 9th September and arrive in Cardiff for 22nd September) and this return leg gives you access to the Tall Ships event and involves being part of the farewell Parade of Sail. There are a few berths available on each voyage. Voyages up until 9th September are for young people aged 16 – 25 years. The trip from Cadiz to Cardiff is for 18 – 75 year olds and is suited for those with some sailing experience and ideal for those working towards their Day Skipper, already have their Day Skipper are wanting to build their sailing skills and get some sea miles under their belt. To enquire email the Challenge Wales office. Check out the Tall Ships Races and Information Pack here. To make this voyage as accessible as possible bursaries may be available for any of the voyages if you are aged under 26 years.

Landscape showing Challenge Wales anchored at Lundy Island

The Impact of Blue Space

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Research by various sources has found that ‘Blue Space’ can be good for us. And with this week being Mental Health Awareness Week and Challenge Wales being a charity which provides outdoor learning at sea it seemed a perfect opportunity to highlight the positive impact of being on the water.

The Ocean can have a hugely positive effect on our mind and mood and did you know that according to the Mental Health Foundation, 65% of people find being near water improves their mental health.

NHS and Mind have identified Five Steps to Wellbeing and every step directly fits into a Challenge Wales voyage (whether you are sailing with us for a day, a week or longer!). Our own independent research proved there was a positive impact between being on one of our boats; Challenge Wales or Adventure Wales and positive mental wellness; take a look at a couple of our case studies.

Sail training is a unique type of outdoor education, in fact it is outward bound on the water providing hands-on experience, leadership training and personal growth opportunities for young people. It isn’t all about sailing it’s the other fun, social and teamwork parts that creates the impact.

Step 1: Connect – sail training is about making new friends and learning more about existing ones. It’s a social experience.  Feel that sense of belonging as you work as part of a team…everyone is literally in the same boat (pardon the pun).

Step 2: Get Active – According to the NHS being physically active can help improve your mental wellbeing. How? By raising self-esteem, by setting goals and achieving them and the chemical changes that happen in your brain (those little endorphins) which helps to positively change your mood. Sail training activities are designed to involved the whole crew, working to a common team goal and setting & achieving personal goals.

Step 3: Take Notice – Paying more attention to the present moment can improve your mental wellbeing – this includes the world around you as well as your own thoughts and feelings. While sat onboard Challenge Wales you can breath the fresh air, feel and hear the rain drops, keep a look out on the horizon, awe at the dolphins swimming alongside you or do star gazing if you are on a night watch. Why not listen to the lapping of the water against the boat once the engine is switched off. There’s no time for scrolling now!

Step 4: Learn – Learning new skills can help boost confidence, help you connect with others and sail training is a great way to do just that; learn how to tie knots, learn a new nautical language, learn about new ports and geography, learn about ocean literacy and science, learn how to cook a meal for 18 hungry crew. Even better – no prior knowledge of sailing or any of the above is required!

Step 5: Give – Small acts of kindness can help create positive feelings. Whether a volunteer donating time and skills, or someone on board helping to make the cup of tea. We are all part of a team and we all look after each other.

In addition to the mental health benefits, sail training is fun and exciting, provides an opportunity to explore the natural world, learn new skills, meet new people, improves confidence and can be life- changing for many. It can help young people develop coping skills and resilience. It can open up doors to new things, be the start of a marine career or working in the outdoor sector, it could be the start of volunteering or just be something to give yourself a new start and a bit of down time.

Can you help us? Challenge Wales is looking to understand more about the needs of young people, in particular those facing mental health issues and those effected by the cost of living crisis to ensure our  programme is as accessible as possible to those who will benefit. It is a project we are working hard to find funding for. If you have a few moments and wish to compete or add any comments to our survey as you have experience of working with young people with Mental Health issues in particular you can complete it here.

Challenge Wales – Helping young people achieve their potential
through outdoor learning at sea.

14 Years Young – A Time To Reflect

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In March 2009, the Challenge Wales sail training charity launched and over the years the Charity has provided many opportunities to thousands of young people helping them broaden their horizons, giving them the first step into a marine career and helping them develop to their full potential.

Sail training is about developing young people at sea through the development of life skills and it wasn’t anything new when Challenge Wales started out. Sail training on tall ships and small ships happens worldwide (check out Sail Training International who organise the Tall Ships Races for more on that) but having this opportunity in Wales started to open doors to individuals, groups, young people and adults who then saw the impact of sail training and the positive benefits it gives to the individual and subsequently families, employees and society as well as our amazing volunteers.

The flagship vessel; Challenge Wales | Wales Tall Ship and probably the largest sailing yacht in Wales at 72-ft was joined by 60-ft Adventure Wales a few years ago and thousands of young people have jumped onboard between them. Voyages range from one-day accredited youth development and life-skills voyages, to residentials of 2 days, 5 days and up to 17 days. Voyages have seen the boats sail locally within Wales, to Ireland and Scotland and as far a field as Finland, Norway and Southern Spain as part of our youth development work.

Our boats are the vehicle for youth work, and although onlookers may simply see a bunch of people sailing, many of those onboard have faced or are facing challenges in their life. Working as a team, develops confidence and communication skills, we help new leaders flourish, we develop resilient individuals and improve their mental health. The Challenge Wales sail training programme develops based on the needs of young people and over the past 14 years, it certainly has and continues to. We’ve brought science to life through STEM activities, we’ve opened up people’s eyes to ocean literacy and the importance of the ocean and the damage marine litter can cause, we take part in citizen science projects and collaborate where we can.

The Challenge Wales charity though wouldn’t be the charity it is without its amazing super-duper volunteers who crew the boats, help fundraise and assist with maintenance. It’s hard work but the rewards are in the faces of the young people who jump onboard who ‘change’ in front of our eyes as they rise to the challenge and the feedback we get after a voyage.

From representing Wales and the young people of Cardiff at the Queen’s Jubilee Pageant on the Thames in 2012, to winning the UK Sail Training Vessel of the year in 2017 and the international award of Sail Training Organisation of the year in 2019. This is due to the amazing work we do, the impact that we have and all the people involved.

So, why does sail training work? Through our own independent evaluation over 3 years and wider industry research our Theory of Change helps us understand the impact of our activities on our beneficiaries. The benefits of sail training activities are intensified and accelerated (happening quicker than a regular weekly activity); it’s isolated (away from the home) and this can cause behaviours to change – little to no social media, no peer pressure, and participants are living and focussed on the ‘now’; it’s a different experience where socially diverse individuals come together; it’s a real experience – actions have real consequences and a real purpose. Sail training activities in general focus on personal development, social development and skills and through this it engages young people into learning, helps them develop a ‘can-do’ attitude, higher aspirations and in the longer term evidenced to improve wellbeing, improve educational attainment, improve employability prospects and improved long term life chances.

Sail training though requires funding and an income, like any organisation and like any other charity. With the cost of living crisis and Covid seeing some funders change their priorities, more charities requiring funding, and with funders not having enough funding to support everyone that needs it, it is a tough world out there. And, that’s why Challenge Wales opens up its sailing activities periodically for adults and corporates of all (or none) sailing experience to jump onboard for big boat sailing, for racing, for opportunities to improve their sailing confidence and skills and for leadership activities. With all profits being donated to the Challenge Wales charity it’s a great way to support a charity on your own or with friends while having fun.

Who knows what this year, next year or the next 14 years will bring. But if you want to be part of this journey as a volunteer, young person, business, supporter or friend of Challenge Wales then please do get in touch. Your involvement will really make a big difference.

But don’t just take our word for it, we thought we would ask what others thought about us over the years, so take a peak below. Happy Sailing and Fair Winds!

Paul Glaze, CEO of Council Of Wales Voluntary Youth Service (CWVYS): “Challenge Wales was one of the first organisations I visited when I started at CWVYS. That occasion has stayed with me for several reasons: I encountered Vicky Williams’s [Trustee] passion and commitment to the Challenge Wales cause; learned how a group of incredibly hardworking volunteers turned their spare time spent on corporate ventures into invaluable, transformational and mainly free of charge opportunities for young people. Oh, and Challenge Wales applied for, and were successful in achieving, CWVYS Membership – and they continue to be valued Members still.

Since then, we have been delighted to see how Challenge Wales has expanded and grown whilst remaining true to its youth work roots: supporting the personal and social development of young people from across Wales and developing key partnerships with voluntary youth work organisations and with local authority youth work teams. In addition, Kerry Rees [Challenge Wales Youth Development Officer] is a hugely active and supportive member of CWVYS activities: as Vice-Chair of our Workforce Development Group and Safeguarding sub-group plus attendance at our Regional Group meetings – ensuring that the strategic and operational links are maintained and strengthened.

Happy 14th Birthday, teenage Challenge Wales!

Challenge Wales is a great youth development organisation. Why?

Lieutenant Nick Woodhouse, School Staff Instructor said: “Challenge Wales has helped to ensure that our pupils here at Treorchy Comprehensive School have independent and interdependence learning skills through outdoor learning, used in a range of ways, this enriches the curriculum and makes learning fun, meaningful and relevant for young people. Outdoor learning projects ‘cynefin’ deliver sustainable development, each outdoor learning opportunity allows children and young people the chance to explore new places and share experiences whilst working with others.”

To find out more, you can email the Challenge Wales team or call the office on 029 20 704657

Challenge Wales Wins Environmental Award

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Challenge Wales’ work over the last couple of years in sustainability has been recognised at a UK industry conference with the Charity winning the Environmental Excellence Award.

Sail trainers from all over the UK, headed to Portsmouth at the end of January for the annual UK Sail Training Association annual conference. An opportunity to share knowledge, learn and collaborate.

The Environmental Excellence Award recognised Challenge Wales’ work over the past couple of years in the field of sustainablity. So what has Challenge Wales been doing which makes it stand out…

Since 2018 when Dee Caffari, Skipper of the Volvo Ocean Race yacht ‘Turn the Tide on Plastic’ launched Challenge Wales’ Agored Cymru accredited environmental learning programme, the Challenge Wales charity has been going from strength to strength raising awareness of sustainability and ocean literacy amongst young people, adult sailors, supporters and its volunteers through collaboration, communication and sharing learning.

Last year Challenge Wales launched the nationally recognised John Muir Environmental Award that anyone attending a 4 day or longer voyage can achieve which is aimed at increasing everyone’s knowledge of environmental awareness. Collaboration with various stakeholders has been key to developing Challenge Wales’ activities and this has included;
* Talks and quizes from Severn Estuary Partnership on marine litter in our sailing area
* Cardiff University providing Challenge Wales with microscope training for looking at plankton
*Boatfolk Penarth Marina providing staff to talk about the Marina’s SeaBin initiative which sees microplastic and oil being skimmed off the surface of the marina
*Citizen Science activities with Plymouth University looking at water visibility
*Undertaking microplastic surveys in conjunction with Portsmouth University
*Learning about Ecosystems with the warden at Lundy Island
* Boatfolk marinas invited one of our Trustees to speak at the Southampton Boat Show to share their ocean literacy activities

But the activities don’t stop there. Challenge Wales launched a Sea and Tell programme which provides short shore-based sessions introducing young people to ocean literacy, marine litter, STEM subjects and geography. This has worked well for those who are aged 10+.
Plus as part of the learning activities we get young people on the boat doing a ‘sustainability review’ to look at how we as an organising our using plastic and how we can change that.

Observing dolphins swimming alongside Challenge Wales.

Vicky Williams, Trustee said; “Winning the Environmental Excellence Award is a great recognition of what we have been doing. The world of ocean literacy has certainly opened up our volunteers, young people and sea staff eyes to the issues facing the world”.

Mark Todd, CEO of UK Association of Sail Training Organisations (ASTO) said:  “ASTO are delighted to award the Environmental Excellence award to Challenge Wales. We were particularly impressed with their collaboration with local organisations such as the Severn Estuary partnership and Cardiff University to improve their environmental credentials. Not only are they including science and environment in their sailing programmes; they are also using this to raise wider awareness of the valuable work Sail Training does in creating opportunities for young people.”

Can one small organisation like Challenge Wales make a big impact when it comes to environmental issues and education? Yes, look at the impact one small mosquito can do when it’s in a cabin with you!

Quotes from a few Young People who have been on our ocean literacy voyages:
“Microplastics are in the ocean, we are feeding the fish with plastics!! What do we do – take action”

“In the second part of the day we saw short beaked common dolphins, birds, Atlantic Grey seals and jellyfish. I am proud of me and my team onboard Challenge Wales”

“I learnt a lot about wildlife and myself during the journey, I realised I want to take a gap year where I can be challenged more. This trip had a positive impact on me”

“After learning about plastic polluting the sea and its consequences, we decided to go a little trip around the marina and picked up four full bags of trash. That was eye opening”

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If you are interested in getting involved as a partner, a youth organisation or school or company through our ocean literacy activities, collaboration or partnership then please contact the Challenge Wales team.

Companies who are working towards achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals and are needing help in achieving Number 14 – Life below water are also encouraged to get in touch if you’re struggling to achieve this as Challenge Wales can help.

Combining innovative outdoor learning for 12 – 25 year olds and an adult-only adventure sailing programme, the predominantly volunteer-run sail training Charity in Cardiff Bay has been integrating ocean literacy, accredited learning and life-skills development to change the lives of young people with amazing results for over 13 years.

Half Marathon Fundraising

Posted by Challenge Wales on

Challenge Wales Trustee, Vicky Williams, is brushing off her running shoes and fundraising on Sunday 2nd October in the Cardiff Half Marathon to raise funds for Challenge Wales.

COVID has reduced the number of voyages operating this year and with the cost of living increases, Challenge Wales knows that it is going to need to raise more funds to enable more people to tap into its bursary scheme. The bursary scheme enables young people to have some of their voyage fees paid for them making access to Challenge Wales’ services easier.

“The impact of Challenge Wales’ activities has literally turned lives around” said Vicky. “One of our case studies is Jimmy: Jimmy went on a 5 day voyage with Challenge Wales. At the time he was struggling with drug addiction, no motivation and hanging around with the wrong people. During the 5 day voyage a huge change was seen in Jimmy. The voyage allowed him to escape negativity and with the supportive, positive, crew helping him to achieve. Jimmy said on the last day of his voyage he wanted to turn his life around. In the last 12 months Jimmy has now done that. He has moved away from drugs, he has cut out negativity in his life and volunteers to help the homeless. Jimmy came back to Challenge Wales for a 1 day voyage (14 months after his first voyage) to show the Challenge Wales crew how much he changed since his first voyage and show the impact of sail training. Jimmy thanked the Challenge Wales team for giving him a second chance.”

Anyone wishing to donate to Challenge Wales, and sponsor Vicky, can visit the JustGiving page here. And, if you are on the Cardiff Half Marathon course, keep your eye out for Vicky and give her and all the other runners a cheer and a wave.

More case studies on the impact of sail training on Challenge Wales can be found here.