UKSA readies to set sail into its 25th anniversary year

April 13, 2011 - PRLog -- Maintenance work is underway at the Cowes campus to complete essential building repairs and extend the range of facilities and opportunities available to schools, young people and students.

The site makeover includes the conversion of a former store room into a new kids’ room facility with a new disabled lift. The loft style room will be decorated by pupils from Cowes High School ahead of its official opening in the summer.

Plans are also underway for extra moorings and new dry storage facilities so that UKSA can offer berthing to boat and yacht owners.  Revenues generated from the development of UKSA’s marine services offer will be used to fund wider educational and employment opportunities for young people who train with the UKSA.

It also means that interns and apprentices who are studying for maritime qualifications at UKSA will be able to work on fleet maintenance as part of their training.

Announcing the changes, UKSA Director of Operations Ben Willows said: “UKSA is an extremely diverse organisation which needs to accommodate a wide range of ages and capabilities across the full spectrum of watersports and yachting careers, from beginners to experienced skippers.

“These improvements will allow us to refine the provision of training and educational services to suit the diverse range of students we have on campus at any one time. The provision of new marine services also gives us another way to support our growing commitment to vocational training, internships and apprenticeships for young people.”  
UKSA will announce a range of set piece initiatives to celebrate its 25th anniversary year at a special event in Cowes on August 10.

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Notes for Editors

UKSA is the UK’s leading youth maritime charity, working to change lives through maritime education and personal development. 7,222 individuals benefited from UKSA’s charitable activity in 2010, of which 17.6 per cent received assisted funding.

UKSA was founded by the retail entrepreneur Noel Lister.  The charity celebrates its 25th anniversary in 2012.

UKSA’s Corporate Events and Marines Services are operated through a separate trading company, UKSA Trading Limited, and not the UKSA, registered charity number 299248. All profits from UKSA Trading Limited however are used to assist UKSA beneficiaries and charitable outcomes.

For further information: Susann Jerry email susann.jerry@uksa.org, tel 07725 091814

http://www.uksa.org

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As a youth maritime charity, UKSA uses maritime education and on-the-water activities to inspire individuals and transform lives. Personal development, improved self esteem, broadened horizons and fulfilling maritime careers are just some of the outcomes.