Volunteer with Us
Our Volunteers
Our volunteers get involved in all aspects of running the organisation from our Board of Trustees, committees and shore groups to Sea Staff. Without them, we simply would not be able to offer adventure under sail to so many young people.
To date we have 305 members, 125 of those are members of our Sea Staff team that sail on our vessels. Our volunteers contributed over 48,000 hours towards the objectives of the Trust in the course of the year.
Our volunteers are as diverse as the young people who sail with us, making for a great mix. One thing they all have in common is their enthusiasm and belief that OYT Scotland has the ability to bring about positive change in all young people.
Interested in helping us support young people through youth work on the waves? Read more below.
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Annual Training Seminar
Ocean Youth Trust Scotland hosts an Annual Training Seminar each year, which all members, old and new, are invited to attend. Over the course of a weekend, we run a variety of courses – from RYA to our own in-house soft skills as well as a few from 3rd party training providers.
On the Saturday evening, we have a dinner celebrating the accomplishments of the volunteers over the past 12 months, and present a few awards.
Our seminar usually takes place at the end of February/beginning of March. All members are invited and will receive more information as soon as it is available.
Become a Volunteer
Afloat
Volunteers sail on our vessels as Sea Staff at all levels – from Bosuns to Skippers. Although we have some paid full time Skippers and First Mates, we rely heavily on volunteers to staff the boats.
On-board we have a Skipper, First Mate, two Watchleaders and a Bosun. Whilst our Skippers and First Mates are qualified to statutory levels, you can become part of our volunteer Sea Staff with little or no sailing experience – we offer a full programme of training for volunteer Sea Staff and welcome applications from across society.
We also have a number of volunteer instructors who deliver RYA Courses including Day Skipper, Coastal Yachtmaster, Offshore Yachtmaster, Cruising Instructor and Yachtmaster Instructor.
Help us deliver world-class youth work on the waves. First of all, we would need you to come along for an Induction Weekend on board the boat.
Then you will be invited to take a training berth on almost any youth voyage and to continue sailing on these and further training until you become a fully qualified member of Sea Staff! Then the world (or our sailing programme) is your oyster.
1. Complete our Volunteer Application
We would recommend you also complete your PVG application at this stage as they can take several weeks to process and is required before you can sail on a youth voyage – but this is not required for the induction.
2. Attend an Induction
If you require any assistance or have any questions, please call the office on 01475 722 722 or email office@oytscotland.org.uk
Ashore
Prefer to support us from ashore?
The trust employs a very small staff team. We rely on volunteers at all levels throughout the organisation.
Volunteers also help us with our shore side operations by:
- Joining one of our committees
- Helping with refit and maintenance weekends.
- Fundraising
- Represent OYT Scotland at events such as Boat Jumbles, Maritime Festivals and Fairs
- Help young people prepare for their voyage by conducting pre-voyage preparation sessions.
- Helping to find young people to take part in OYT Scotland youth voyages.
- Helping with administration in the office.
- Deliver RYA Shorebased Courses.
To get involved as a shoreside volunteer, get in touch with the office on 01475 722 722 or drop us a line at office@oytscotland.org.uk
Shore Groups
OYT Scotland is supported by a number of Shore Groups throughout the country.
These groups help us in a number of ways, such as:
- Promoting the Trust to young people, local communities and potential sponsors
- Raising funds
- Running shore-based training courses
- Offering boat support and help at winter refits
- Providing social events.
Shore Groups are an ideal way of staying connected and supporting the Trust whilst off the water. They offer great opportunities to meet like-minded people and make new friends.
We have two Shore Groups – one covering the Clyde Region, and one covering Aberdeen and the North East.
All of the Shore Groups welcome new members – get in touch and pop along to their next meeting.
Read more about your local group
Funding
The funds raised by the shore groups are used to enable more young people to experience youth work on the waves. Both individuals and the groups can approach the Shore Groups to request support.
The grant is usually paid to the OYT Scotland office and we use it to offset the cost of the voyage.
We suggest an email either for individuals or groups covering:
- who you are
- When your voyage is and where from/to.
- What you hope to get out of the voyage
- What amount of money is needed for the whole voyage, how much you have raised so far and your plans for more fundraising.
- Finish with a request for financial help.
If you live in the Aberdeen and North East region, please contact northeast@oytscotland.org.uk
If you live in the Clyde region, please contact clyde@oytscotland.org.uk
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us on 01475 722 722 or email office@oytscotland.org.uk