A GROUP of 10 young people from The Amber Foundation recently went on the trip of a lifetime with Ocean Youth Trust (OYT) South.

Amber supports around 270 homeless and out of work young people each year, providing them with a temporary, safe place to live at one of their residential centres in Chawleigh, Surrey and Wiltshire.

One of the aims of the programme at Amber is to give young people the opportunity to try new experiences, and so for the first time Amber has partnered with OYT South to create this unique opportunity.

The recent voyage involved a total of 20 people who sailed the 30-metre vessel, Prolific, along the south coast.

OYT South is also a charity and uses sailing to broaden the experience of those looking to stretch themselves through a challenging adventure.

Young crew members not only sail the boat, but help to keep watch and navigate; they also learn basic life skills such as cooking and healthy eating.

The trip is designed to develop confidence, team working, the ability to cope with unfamiliar situations, and tolerance and understanding of others.

The trip sailed from Gosport to Weymouth going around the Isle of Wight. Then on to Poole and Cowes finishing at Southampton.

Altogether, they sailed 160 nautical miles and at the end of the voyage, the entire group were awarded Royal Yachting Association Start Yachting certificates, a recognised qualification.