Page 42 - Yachter Spring 2023

42 RSYC TRUST
RAISING
FUNDS AND PLANS FOR THE SUMMER
In case you are not familiar with the work of the RSYC Trust, we are the registered charity of the Royal Southampton Yacht Club. The Trust was established in 2015 with a broad remit to promote the advancement of amateur sport and to encourage participation in sailing and other on-the-water activities.
While such a wide brief gives us flexibility when it comes to bidding for funds, the Trust is wholly reliant on external fund raising, ie it does not receive any direct financial support from the Club, so we need a clear focus.As a yacht club we are all about encouraging more people to take part in water-based activities, so focusing on young people, particularly disadvantaged young people, feels like the right thing to do.
Over the last few years we have developed a special relationship with young carers: young people aged 8-18 years whose lives are affected by caring for an unwell or disabled family member.This can mean that in addition to managing their own lives and going to school, young carers are caring for a parent or sibling who may have a physical or learning disability, mental ill-health,
chronic illness or have difficulties with drug/ alcohol misuse.
Many young carers have complex and challenging lives and this is where the RSYC Trust can help by providing a break and an opportunity to learn a new skill – dinghy sailing, paddleboarding, kayaking,
- and have some well-earned fun on the water, supported by trained and experienced instructors.
The Trust is run by a small group of volunteer trustees and works closely with three other sailing organisations:The RYA, SWAC (Southampton Water Activities