Overview
The Gwennili Trust, founded in 1995, operates as a team of unpaid volunteers whose mission is to work collaboratively with their 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 Gwennili.
They charter MCA coded yachts and look to add value to the organisation and clients that they work alongside. They do this by actively promoting offshore sailing and racing to new and existing institutions and individuals.
Mission and approach
Safety is their prime consideration. All cruises, day sails and races are led by experienced RYA qualified sailors to ensure the safety of their clients at all times. Skippers are qualified to RYA Yacht master Offshore standard with commercial endorsement.
The sailing programme offered by Gwennili Sailing Trust runs from May to October every year, and they offer day sailing trips, cruises, racing, and training courses.
What they do
Gwennili Trust provides for the relief of the physically and mentally disabled, ex-service people, offering respite and educational opportunities on board yachts. The primary beneficiaries for sail cruises are wounded, injured and sick (WIS) personnel and military veterans.
Sailing on the South Coast, they have developed an important relationship with the Personnel Recovery Centre at Tidworth, in direct support of their WIS, similarly with the Personnel Recovery Unit in HMS Drake and WIS in HMS Raleigh.
The organisation is dedicated to making offshore sailing fun and accessible to all, no matter how disabled, physically, mentally or visually.
Expedition and participation opportunities
The Gwennili Sailing Trust offers a variety of different opportunities to get involved, whether it be cruises, day sailing, or general volunteering with them:
Cruises: they organise week-long cruises on the South Coast, the Clyde and the Mediterranean each year. They are an excellent way to meet new people who also have disabilities.
Day sailing: they offer bespoke day sailing events for groups on a catamaran designed specifically for wheelchair users, called Spirit of Scott Bader. Trips can last a day or up to a week depending on needs. On the first Friday of every month (May to October) they offer day sailing trips for individuals on Spirit of Scott Bader.
Last updated: January 2026.