The Gwennili Trust, founded in 1995, operates as a team of unpaid volunteers whose mission is to work collaboratively with our partner organisations to provide offshore yacht sailing opportunities for people with disabilities.
Over the years people of all ages and backgrounds, including serving and retired service men and women with a wide range of disabilities, have enjoyed the thrill of offshore sailing with us.
We charter MCA coded yachts and look to add value to the organisations and clients that we work alongside. We do this by actively promoting offshore sailing and racing to new and existing institutions and individuals.
Our partners help us to organise sailing programmes, provide qualified volunteers and most importantly, raise funding.
The vessels used have either been purpose built for easy wheelchair access or are conventional yachts suitable for the more mobile.Â
All vessels are operated by RYA certified volunteers acting as Skipper and Mates. New, appropriately qualified, volunteers are always welcome.
The Trust is a member of RYA Sailability, COBSEO, NCVO and the Army Sailing Association and an associate member of ASTO (Association of Sail Training Organisations). Our day sail events are normally run from Port Solent, Gosport in Portsmouth Harbour. Our cruising events will generally depart from Hamble Point Marina near Southampton.
Our sailing programme offers a wide range of experiences:
1 day - Sailing on wheelchair friendly Spirit of Scott Bader in the Solent.
5 days - South Coast cruises on a conventional yacht or cruise to France and/or the Channel Islands.
7 days - A Mediterranean charter.
Obviously, itineraries can vary according to weather conditions and the desires of the clients and crew.
The Trust also runs Training Events which can help people with disabilities gain RYA certification.
