Historically people in coastal communities had a close relationship with the sea, for the majority this was where they directly or indirectly earned their living, how they fed their families and enjoyed their leisure time. This Involvement with maritime activity gave them respect for the sea and was an opportunity for many life lessons and experiences which the current generation of coastal residents often miss out on. The decline in many maritime industries has resulted in a generation of deprivation, which is felt acutely in our coastal communities. Many now view the sea as being the playground of the wealthy, rather than as the incredible, sustaining resource which was once was so central to the lives of their forefathers.

We would like to help people from deprived coastal communities re-establish a relationship with the sea and feel the benefits that this can bring through education, mental health well-being, environmental awareness and discovery. We believe that this has to be part of a wider programme, not just a one-off experience, so we are partnering with local charities and community associations as well as industry, training colleges and university research departments.

With your help, together we will provide a gateway to new opportunities and deliver our goals

– Neil Pearce, trustee