Return to sail

Your medical information comes from the digital medical form you fill in prior to the trip, so make sure you include all relevant, up to date medical and non-medical information you feel we should know about.

No way! All our staff and volunteers understand the after-effects of cancer, including fatigue, can last a long time. They can make sure you get as many rest breaks as you need. You will be encouraged to join in all the activities, but won’t be forced to do anything you won’t be able to manage. We always also try to put young people into groups with similar abilities, so no one feels left out. You will surprise yourself.

Nope! During the trips we don’t actually go in the sea, so you don’t need to be able to swim. Lifejackets will be provided for when you are sailing.

Not as much as you think! Closer to the time of your trip we will send you a full kit list containing all the information you need.

Please don't bring big bulky bags or suitcases as there is very limited storage space onboard - a soft holdall or something that can be squished down is perfect.

You won’t need any specialist clothing, waterproofs or a lifejacket – we provide all that - just normal clothes, including some warm layers, shoes you don’t mind getting wet and a pillow. You will basically live in joggers/leggings, a hoodie and your Trust trip t-shirt! We also always have plenty of high-factor sun cream on all of our trips.

We will always do whatever we can to cater for everyone’s needs. Different diets? No problem! Vegetarian, halal, gluten free, just let us know what you need and we will have it covered. You can tell us your dietary requirements when you complete your Medical Form.

You will be preparing your own meals onboard, with everyone mucking in.

You will be given a water bottle to use whilst on the trip and we will make sure you drink plenty of liquids whilst on and off the water.

You will sleep on board in shared cabins while in marinas. We want everyone to feel comfortable and safe on board, in the medical form we will ask about sleeping arrangements and other requirements you may need (such as a place to pray etc).

Suitable changing and toilet facilities are provided for everyone to ensure are trips are accessible to all.

In the medical form, we will ask if you need a place to pray. We will talk to you in the build up to your trip about what you need and will ensure this is made possible when you're with us. We can supply prayer mats.

Any phones or valuable electronic equipment are brought along entirely at your own risk and we cannot be responsible for any loss or damage. We recommend these are left at home, but do understand you may want to bring them along for the journey. Our staff and volunteers will have phones you can use to phone home if necessary and Trust contact will be provided to family and friends should they need to get in touch while you’re away. Everything is provided so you only need enough money for any extra snacks or souvenirs you want to buy. We suggest no more than £20.

If you end up not being able to make your trip because of illness, we will try to get you on a trip later in the summer or you will be guaranteed a place on a trip next year. Talk to us and we will work to make sure you don't miss out. It also won't affect your eligibility to come back on future trips.

All advice and guidance on what to do if you've been or feel ill before your trip can be found here - Guidance on pre-trip illness.

We are wholly committed to building belonging and creating a psychologically safe environment and community that welcomes and celebrates everyone being their authentic self.

Belonging and equity are at the heart of what the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust does.

We do this by aiming to create a psychologically safe environment and community that welcomes and celebrates everyone being their authentic self. To achieve real belonging, we must take an intentional and proactive approach to creating a discrimination-free environment.

Racism, homophobia, transphobia, ableism, classism, xenophobia, sexism, and other forms of identity-based discrimination are society-wide problems we are actively trying to dismantle. They are harmful and can be detrimental to our aims and the experience we seek to create for everyone in our community

We can only improve things if people tell us when things don’t feel right to them, so it’s really important anyone experiencing an issue feels able to share it with us.

More details, including how to make a report, can be found here - How we deal with racism and identity discrimination

Nothing matters more than keeping young people safe. You can read how we do that here - How we look after young people.

We have a stated commitment to Think Planet - to evaluate and reduce the negative impact our trips, fundraising, communications and team activities have on the planet. This is ongoing and we continue to review and make conscious decisions around purchasing, resourcing and everyday actions. For example

• we use trains where possible for trip travel
• use only eco friendly cleaning supplies onboard our boats
• make purchasing decisions that reduce single use plastics and food waste
• review menu for meat products (reducing carbon footprint) and shop seasonally, avoiding products with high carbon footprints (almonds/avocados etc)
• actively encourage recycling
• staying on top of the basics, such as turning off lights/reducing energy consumption and replacing lightbulbs with LEDs as they fail.

Everyone gets a minimum of three trips (including your first time trip). If you are 8 on your first trip, your final trip will be in the year you turn 18. If you are 17 on your first trip, you can come back for two return trips as an over 18. If you are 18 or over on your first trip, you can return for two further adventures.