Ocean Youth Trust North

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Ocean Youth Trust North Ocean Youth Trust North is a Sail Training & Youthwork Charity offering great opportunities to young people.

Adventure under Sail
Changing lives inspiring futures

These handwritten thank-you cards made our day! Trainees created them following a recent voyage aboard James Cook. They ...
13/10/2026

These handwritten thank-you cards made our day!
Trainees created them following a recent voyage aboard James Cook. They were written for volunteer skipper Ben Frank and the sea staff who supported the young people throughout their time on board.

“I’ve loved it!”

“Thank you for your amazing steering advice.”

“Thank you so much for how welcoming you have been to all of us. You have taught us so much and we appreciate all the ways you have helped us.”

The cards are a lovely reminder of the difference our volunteers make. Their messages make it clear how much Ben and the sea staff contributed to the trip, sharing their skills, offering encouragement, and making the trainees feel welcome on board.

A huge thank you to Ben and everyone who supported the voyage, and to York Vikings Rotary for sponsoring this opportunity.

“I was frightened about going up the ladder. I did it anyway and enjoyed it!” That was just one of the achievements duri...
09/10/2026

“I was frightened about going up the ladder. I did it anyway and enjoyed it!”

That was just one of the achievements during Valley Road's overnight trip with Ocean Youth Trust North.

The 12 pupils, all aged 10, travelled along the River Tyne and spent the night on board at Newcastle Quayside. They helped to tie on the fenders, took turns steering, prepared dinner and visited the bridges.

They even raced around the boat to see who could move most efficiently while staying safely clipped on!

The school told us:
“Your patience, encouragement and enthusiasm helped our pupils to step outside their comfort zones, try new things and enjoy an adventure they will remember for a long time to come.”

A huge well done to everyone who took part, especially those who faced something that felt a little daunting and gave it a go anyway.

Here's what happens on our Marine Activity Days! Lots of fun and smiles 😃
07/10/2026

Here's what happens on our Marine Activity Days! Lots of fun and smiles 😃

07/10/2026

Quote of the day: "I am forever grateful I get to do things like this" Neive, aged 15. This was a special day sail, led for the first time by our trainee and Blue Spirit Ambassador Jannah. Thank you, and for making it possible, and The Patchwork Project. Thank you, Thomas, for coming to the rescue and helping to drive. We are also grateful for our partners; together, we make incredible things happen for local young people, and thank you to the young people brave enough to say Yes! to the adventure.

⏰ Last chance to book a Maritime Activity Day!We now have just three dates remaining at Royal Quays Marina:⛵ Sunday 18 O...
01/10/2026

⏰ Last chance to book a Maritime Activity Day!

We now have just three dates remaining at Royal Quays Marina:

⛵ Sunday 18 October
⛵ Saturday 24 October
⛵ Sunday 25 October

These free days give eligible young people aged 11–18 the chance to try activities including dinghy rowing, sail handling, knot tying, navigation and supervised RIB driving. Depending on conditions, activities may take place on the River Tyne or around the marina.

It’s an opportunity to try something new, develop practical skills and build confidence in a safe and supportive setting. The activity, safety equipment, waterproof clothing, lunch and refreshments are all provided. Referring organisations just need to arrange transport.

Young people and families can also enquire directly, while trusted organisations can refer an individual or book for a whole group up to 9 people. The session lasts 6 hours plus half an hour for lunch.

If you’re interested in one of the remaining dates, please get in touch soon, or check out the flyer on our website under 'news' for more details.

📧 [email protected]
📞 0191 257 1212

The Maritime Activity Days have been made possible thanks to an extra £5,000 discretionary award from The Shears Foundation and NHS funding provided through Connected Voice. We’re very grateful for their support.

All aboard! ⛵Earlier this week, children aged seven and eight from Seaton Sluice First School joined us aboard James Coo...
25/09/2026

All aboard! ⛵
Earlier this week, children aged seven and eight from Seaton Sluice First School joined us aboard James Cook for a trip on the Tyne.

They enjoyed time out on deck, took in the views where the river meets the sea and even had a turn at the wheel. And, of course, no voyage would be complete without a well-stocked biscuit tin! 🍪

This voyage was made possible by funding from the Ted Weekes Fund at Community Foundation North East. A lovely few days of new experiences and adventures on the water.

⛵ Meet the Team: Caroline SaundersCaroline first joined James Cook in 2004, with Steve Lennon as her skipper. She went o...
20/09/2026

⛵ Meet the Team: Caroline Saunders

Caroline first joined James Cook in 2004, with Steve Lennon as her skipper. She went on to complete RYA training, become a Yachtmaster examiner and gain the qualifications needed to work with disabled sailors aboard square-rigged ships.

She returned to OYT North as a relief skipper in 2012. These days, as Caroline puts it, she sails a different kind of ship: a desk! She helps bring young people sailing and works alongside Steve to secure the funding that makes those opportunities possible.

Caroline has seen first-hand how sail training helps young people develop important life skills. One voyage in particular has stayed with her.

During a primary-to-secondary school transition voyage, a boy who hadn’t had any friends at school made a new friend on board. At the end of the voyage, his teacher was in tears overhearing them arranging to meet at the gates of their new secondary school on the first day of term.

It’s moments like this that show why Adventure under Sail matters.

Caroline is proud that OYT North continues to create opportunities for young people across the North of England. And the one thing she wishes more people knew about us?

“We’re here in the North East!”

Thank you for everything you do Caroline. 💙

13/09/2026

Did you know we’re on TikTok? 👀⛵

Follow for more fun and life aboard James Cook. We promise the account is every bit as talented, gorgeous and funny as advertised… 😂

https://www.tiktok.com/

08/09/2026

FREE Maritime Activity Days for young people aged 11–18! ⛵

Trying something new can be a big step, especially for a young person who feels low in confidence or hasn’t had many opportunities to enjoy outdoor activities.

Our free Maritime Activity Days at Royal Quays Marina give eligible young people the chance to get out on the River Tyne, learn practical skills and discover what they’re capable of in a safe and supportive setting.

These photos offer a glimpse of what an Activity Day can involve. Some show young people from our partner Blue Spirit sailing enjoying a taster session last year, trying everything from map reading in the cabin to sailing and supervised RIB driving on the water.

The aim isn’t just to teach knots or navigation. The days help young people to:
⛵ build confidence
⛵ work alongside others
⛵ form positive relationships
⛵ feel included
⛵ enjoy trying something new

Young people and families can enquire directly, while trusted organisations can refer an individual or book for a whole group.

The activities, safety equipment, waterproof clothing, lunch and refreshments are all provided free of charge. Referring organisations are asked to arrange and cover transport.

The programme builds on Activity Days originally supported by the Newcastle and Gateshead Therapeutic Waiting List Intervention, NHS funding administered by Connected Voice. We’re continuing and extending the programme with the remaining NHS funding topped up with a special award from The Shears Foundation Patron’s Fund.

We’re very grateful to both funders for helping more young people access these opportunities.

Want to find out whether an Activity Day could be right for a young person you know?
Contact us:
📧 [email protected]
📞 0191 257 1212

More than 20 years of Adventure under Sail – and some things never change. ⛵When James Cook recently visited Hull, a for...
03/09/2026

More than 20 years of Adventure under Sail – and some things never change. ⛵

When James Cook recently visited Hull, a former trainee got in touch through our Facebook group to share this newspaper cutting from their own voyage more than two decades ago.

The hairstyles and sailing kit may have changed, but the experience will be familiar to generations of trainees: learning new skills, working together as a crew and discovering what you’re capable of at sea.

We love hearing from former trainees and seeing memories like this. Did you sail with OYT North or aboard James Cook? Let us know when – and where the voyage took you!

Address

Royal Quays Marina
North Shields
NE296DU

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

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