Background and Aims of the Organisation

This page was updated on: Saturday, October 17, 2009

The Venturers are a teenage youth organisation dedicated to "Helping People and Animals in Danger or Distress on Land and Sea".

Founded in the idea that given the opportunity and trust, they can take a role in a Rescue Service, which over the years has helped thousands and saved actual lives.

That, instead of mugging old ladies, stealing cars or burgling houses, their time and energy can be diverted to helping the Adult World. Some teenagers come from a difficult home life or the much-maligned Housing Estates.

Yet given the trust and opportunities the Venturers has proved there is nothing wrong with today's youth. That, as one young boy stated, "When I am down at the Venturers I am somebody."

The service provides fast rescue craft afloat, Four wheel Drive Ambulances and First Aid Teams for Sporting and Charity events, most of which for Insurance Purposes could not take place without safety cover.

Our teenagers work with the Coastguard, and are on Patrol at weekends in the busy waters of the Solent. A service that has saved many lives by being in the right place at the right time and having the seamanship skills and first aid knowledge.

The costs of running such a service is more than youngsters can raise with Jumble Sales and local fund raising.

Thus we are always looking for Sponsorship. The Service has a high profile and would give a good return in publicity mileage for any interested Commercial Company, as we provide safety cover for events such as Cowes Week, Round The World Yachts Races, Horse Trials and other major sporting events, while private donations from Charitable Trusts will help us keep this unique project running.

As far as I know, Venturers is the only Youth Organisation in the world where teenagers take command and the adults stay in the background, supervising and ensuring that safe practices are met.

As opposed to the majority of organisations where although given the training, they are not allowed to take an active part until they are 18 or older.