A Voyage of Discovery and Friend-SHIPS
Building confidence, teamwork, and leadership skills for young men through an unforgettable sailing adventure.
YouthAction NI – St Patrick’s Youth Club (Keady)
Belfast Marina, Larne, Bangor
2025
Challenge
Young men in rural areas can face limited opportunities to develop life skills, build confidence, and experience new environments. This programme aimed to provide a unique challenge that would strengthen teamwork, communication, and resilience while broadening horizons.
Our Approach
During Men’s Health Week, YouthAction partnered with Tall Ships to deliver a 2-night residential entirely at sea.
Sailing from Belfast Marina to Larne (anchoring overnight), onwards to Bangor, and returning to Belfast.
Hands-on learning: preparing the ship, setting sail, manoeuvring, and anchoring.
Life at sea: cooking, cleaning, and maintaining the ship as a team.
Youth workers and Tall Ships crew provided guidance, leadership opportunities, and a safe environment to try new things.
Impact
Certificates awarded to all participants, supporting future employment and education applications.
Measurable growth in key skills:
Teamwork
Communication and problem solving
Confidence
Relationship building
Active listening
Resilience
Increased interest in maritime careers—some participants considering “a life at sea.”
Strengthened peer relationships and personal confidence.
Areas of Impact:
“It’s hard to describe, I mean, look at where we started not having a clue about boats but we sailed to Larne, Bangor and back to Belfast.”
“Before this, I wouldn’t have thought about life at sea. Now, it’s something I’m considering.”
Real Voices
