Portsmouth charity gained so much from this maritime cluster in the Solent – find out how yours could be next

Maritime UK Solent will soon be searching for its next Charity of the Year and launching the 2024 awards.

Your maritime charity could be the next to benefit from the support of this industry-led organisation that promotes the region's thriving maritime sector, following in the footsteps of Portsmouth Sail Training Trust.

Inspirational charity, Portsmouth Sail Training Trust, has been Maritime UK Solent’s charity partner for 2023/4. The Trust is dedicated to raising the aspirations of disadvantaged young people through maritime training and was selected in September last year, from several maritime-based charities based in the Solent who applied.

But the search will soon be on to find this year’s charity partnership – submissions open on 11 June.

About Portsmouth Sail Training Trust (PSTT)

The Portsmouth Sail Training Trust (PSTT) provides maritime training, qualifications, and invaluable mentoring to disadvantaged young people. It aims to support young people impacted by multi-generational unemployment and social deprivation by raising their self-esteem and broadening their horizons.  Each year it works with over a hundred young people from across Portsmouth, helping them gain qualifications and skills to set them up for the future.

Ruth added: “This all culminated in an inspirational Careers Day which enabled over 40 young people from 5 different Portsmouth schools to learn about and speak to over 20 maritime businesses and organisations. PSTT is now developing partnerships with several of these organisations such as Lockheed Martin and Portsmouth International Port to enable young people to develop skills and gain experiences which will help them to pursue a career in the maritime industry. Thank you Maritime UK Solent for all your support.”

Benefits of the partnership

Maritime UK Solent has worked with Portsmouth Sail Training Trust throughout the year to raise awareness of the valuable work undertaken by the charity. 

Anne-Marie Mountifield, Chair of Maritime UK Solent, said they were delighted to work with the trust as the Maritime UK Solent charity partner. “We were able to support and raise awareness of their work, helping them to expand their operations which improve and widen opportunities for young people living in our coastal communities,” she said.

Who will be the next charity?

Not only will the chosen cause benefit from a year of support and awareness-raising from its partnership with Maritime UK Solent, but it will be at the heart of the prestigious Maritime UK Solent Awards, which this year will be held on 17 October, at the Hilton Utilita Bowl, Southampton

Maritime UK Solent will soon be searching for its next Charity of the Year and launching the 2024 awards, through which it will help to increase the profile of that chosen charity.

On 11 June, the 2024 Maritime UK Solent Awards will be launched at the Seawork tradeshow event in Southampton. Ed Phillips, PSTT founder will speak at the launch about the benefits of being this year’s charity partner, and the application process will be officially opened for Solent-based, maritime-related charities to apply.

The closing date for applications is 16 July, and the winner will be revealed in September, as part of the International Boatshow. At the Boatshow the newly chosen Charity of the Year will be announced, and they will be invited to make a presentation at the Finalists’ Celebration event, where judges, sponsors and finalists connected to this year's Maritime UK Solent Awards will be present.

For more information about the Maritime UK Solent Awards 2024, and to apply to become a Charity Partner (from 11 June) click here