Train the Trainer Programme 🌟.

On 30 September 2026, we hosted our Train the Trainer Programme at the Little Optimist Academy, welcoming 12 young people who had applied for the opportunity to be part of the programme and potentially gain employment through the work we do.

It was a great day, filled with positive energy, open minds, and a willingness to learn. From the beginning, everyone came ready to listen, participate, and challenge themselves to learn something new.

Throughout the day, we covered a variety of important skills, starting with water safety and moving into the basics of sailing. We wanted the group to understand that working around the water is not just about knowing how to sail, but also about understanding the risks, being responsible, and knowing how to keep yourself and others safe.

We also focused on how to work with younger children, because being an instructor is about much more than teaching someone a new skill. It is about having patience, being a good role model, communicating properly, and creating an environment where children feel safe, included, and confident enough to try something new.

Another important part of the programme was professionalism. We spoke about the importance of how we present ourselves, how we treat others, working as a team, and taking responsibility for the role we play. These are skills that go beyond sailing and can help the young people in their future careers and everyday lives.
What made the day special was seeing the willingness from the group to learn and take in what was being taught. Everyone comes from a different background and has their own journey, but opportunities like this give young people a chance to grow, develop new skills, and potentially open doors to employment.

For us at the Little Optimist Trust, it is not only about teaching sailing. It is also about using sailing as a tool to develop young people, build confidence, create opportunities, and give them the skills they need to make a difference in their own lives and in the lives of others.

A big thank you to everyone who helped make the day possible, especially our facilitators, Erica, Amir, and Adrienne, for sharing their knowledge, experience, and passion with the group.

We look forward to seeing how these 12 young people continue to grow and what the future holds for them as they take the next steps on their journey.

At Little Optimist, we believe that every opportunity to learn is an opportunity to grow — and sometimes, all someone needs is a chance to get started.