‘Sailing saved me, now I want to help others’

A new sail training organisation has been launched to help improve the lives of young people in care and care leavers in the UK.

The non-profit Care to Sail has been set up by Declan Cox, 22, who has direct experience of the care system.

‘Prior to being adopted, I suffered physical, emotional and sexual abuse over a sustained period of time as well as being neglected. As a result, my own mental health was really poor until I found sailing,’ Cox told YM.

For a substantial period during his teenage years Cox was homeless, and had made several suicide attempts by the age of 15. He was, however, ‘lucky enough’ to have a ‘couple of good people in my life that would take me out sailing.’

‘It was sailing that saved my life, helped me form positive relationships and grow to be the person that I am today. It made me determined to help

Care to Sail has been set up by Declan Cox (bottom), with Amelia Ralphs (right) coming onboard as director of sailing

others who have had a difficult start in life,’ he added.

Cox believes young people in care have much poorer prospects, with around half suffering from a mental health condition.

While there are many sail training organisations which support young disadvantaged people, there is not one which specifically focuses on working with those who have experienced the care system.

He is working alongside offshore skipper and racer Amelia Ralphs, who has previously sailed on Tracy Edwards’s Maiden at the start of The Maiden Factor tour.

Based in Glasgow, Care to Sail will offer sail training, including RYA courses, and intensive support programmes to help young people with issues like mental health. There are also plans to offer a round the world voyage on a Challenge 72 for 12 young people who are aged 18 and over and have experience of the care system.

A crowdfunding campaign has been set up to raise an initial £10,000. www.crowdfunder.co.uk/sailing-forcare-experienced-young-people