Not every young person finds their confidence in a classroom. Sometimes it is found on the open water, with the wind in the sails and a team depending on you.

Child A came to Youth Unity through the MyEnds Havering programme delivered at Koru-ED. Like many young people we support, they carried strengths and aspirations that simply needed the right environment to be recognised. During mentoring conversations, Child A spoke about sailing, memories of time spent with their grandfather and a long-held dream of working with their hands, being active, and one day building a future connected to the sea.

When a fully funded Tall Ships Youth Trust sailing voyage became available, we recognised the potential for something more than just an experience, it could be a turning point.

From the moment Child A stepped aboard, something shifted. The structure, teamwork and hands-on nature of sailing created a space where they could thrive. Learning to run sails, understanding deck routines, supporting engine work and contributing to daily life onboard allowed Child A to discover confidence through action and responsibility. What stood out most was not only their enthusiasm to learn, but their instinct to support others, demonstrating kindness, maturity and leadership in a challenging new environment.

The Tall Ships team reflected that Child A “absolutely flourished,” quickly becoming a valued member of the crew. They showed initiative, supported activities, learned quickly, and most importantly looked out for others with genuine care and maturity. The impact was so significant that the team recommended Child A begin a volunteering journey with Tall Ships Youth Trust and invited them back for a Pre-Christmas Youth Adventure Weekend as part of their ongoing development. Skipper Sophie, who worked closely with Child A, even created a reflection document highlighting why continued opportunities would be such a valuable next step.

For Child A, sailing offered something powerful, a place where their ADHD became a strength rather than a barrier. They described how being active, using their hands and working as part of a team helped them feel focused and capable in ways they had not always experienced within traditional learning environments. Running the sails, learning new skills and even teaching others onboard gave them a sense of purpose and pride. What began as curiosity quickly grew into aspiration, with Child A sharing their dream of one day becoming a captain, travelling, working at sea and helping others feel safe and confident on boats.

The experience also highlighted the importance of accessible opportunities. Child A spoke openly about how financial support made participation possible, and how being given that chance showed them that others believed in their potential.

Today, as Child A prepares for their GCSEs, their journey continues to grow. Youth Unity has been invited to bring a new cohort of young people onto the sailing programme, and Child A has been asked to return not just as a participant, but as a volunteer skipper, supporting others as they begin their own journeys.

Before the next voyage, Youth Unity will be supporting Child A through further training and preparation to help build confidence, leadership skills and readiness for this new role. This next stage represents more than progression; it reflects trust, growth and the transformation that can happen when young people are given meaningful opportunities aligned with their passions.

And who knows where this journey might lead? What began as a mentoring conversation has already opened doors that once felt out of reach. Perhaps this is just the beginning of a future connected to the maritime world, proof that when young people are truly listened to and supported, new pathways become visible.

At Youth Unity, stories like this remind us that mentoring is not about changing who young people are, it is about helping them discover who they already have the potential to become.