Ten young people from Orkney have returned from a sailing adventure that took them well beyond their comfort zones, discovering new friendships, growing confidence and a remarkable sense of what they could achieve together.

The group spent five days sailing from Greenock aboard Ocean Youth Trust Scotland’s 70 foot yacht Alba Venturer between 5 and 10 October, learning to become part of a working crew rather than simply enjoying life as passengers.

Organised by Orkney Islands Council’s Youth Services team, the voyage offered an opportunity for young people to experience something entirely different from their everyday lives.

Youth Services officers Richard Smith and Kat Beaver accompanied the group, supporting them throughout an adventure designed to encourage independence, responsibility and teamwork.

Before leaving Orkney, the young sailors spent a weekend getting to know one another through outdoor activities in Dounby, organised with the Council’s Outdoor Education team.

They also volunteered at the Blue Door in Kirkwall, helping create a Halloween window display and making a contribution to their local community before setting off.

Once aboard Alba Venturer, there was little opportunity to sit back and watch the world go by.

The young people took turns steering the yacht, raising and changing sails and standing watch, all under the guidance of the vessel’s experienced skipper and crew.

For some, it meant tackling unfamiliar challenges, while others discovered abilities and confidence they had not previously recognised in themselves.

Cheryl Rafferty, Youth Services Team Manager, said:

“This was a fantastic opportunity for our young people, and we are very grateful to the Trust and its crew for making it happen, and to our staff team who accompanied the group.

“It’s been great to see them try new things, work as a team and give something back to the community along the way.”

For David, skipper of Alba Venturer, watching that transformation is one of the most rewarding parts of taking young people to sea.

He said:

“They came onboard shy, maybe nervous, but they’re really growing up during the week.

“It’s really nice when you see the shyest person taking control and leading the watch.

“It’s a good way of meeting new people, making good friends.

“One week on a boat is worth a year on land.”

And the experience clearly left its mark on at least one young participant, who returned with thoughts of an entirely different future.

They said:

“It’s a lot more fun than you’d expect it to be.

“It’s not as stressful as I thought it was, I’m definitely going to take up a yachting career after this!”

Ocean Youth Trust Scotland has been introducing young people to sailing and the possibilities it offers for decades, building on a tradition that began with the founding of the Ocean Youth Club in 1960.

Since the Trust was established in 1999, more than 16,000 young people have benefited from its voyages.

Conor McNamara, Youth Development Worker at the charity, explained that the greatest benefits often emerge long after the boats return to harbour.

He said:

“Really for us I think all we want them to do is have a good experience and enjoy it.

“Other things come naturally, the increase in confidence, the increase in resilience, the increase in working with each other, problem-solving skills, all this stuff comes naturally just through the work that we do.

“The long-term impacts of these programmes don’t happen on the five days, they happen five, ten, fifteen years later.”

For ten young Orcadians, the memories of a week at sea may prove to be only the beginning of something much bigger.