Empowering veterans and building resilience

The transition from military to civilian life can be a daunting experience for many veterans.

Recognition

National Transport
Trust Award

Turn to Starboard’s flagship tall ship, the Spirit of Falmouth, has been honoured with the National Transport Trust’s prestigious Restoration Award.

This 91-foot wooden Mersey pilot schooner, gifted by The Prince’s Trust in 2014, is now the last of its kind—a replica of the historic Spirit of Merseyside. The award recognises the charity’s dedication to preserving her legacy through ongoing maintenance and hands-on conservation, safeguarding a vital piece of maritime heritage.

Presented by HRH The Princess Royal to Turn to Starboard’s COO, Dan Fielding, at Fawley Hill, Oxfordshire, the accolade highlights both the vessel and the life-changing work she supports. Over the past decade, Spirit of Falmouth has taken more than 1,500 veterans on transformative voyages, where teamwork on deck builds confidence, purpose, and resilience.

Defence Employer Recognition
Scheme Gold Award

Turn to Starboard has been awarded the Gold Award in the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme, presented by the Wessex Reserve Forces & Cadets’ Association at Longleat House on 21 November 2024. Among nineteen South West organisations recognised, the charity was honoured for its exceptional support of the Armed Forces community.

The accolade highlights Turn to Starboard’s commitment to integrating veterans into meaningful roles, fostering a culture rooted in teamwork, resilience, and integrity—values reflected both on board and in its leadership. Lieutenant‑General David James Eastman MBE described the Gold Award as “the highest standard of commitment to those who serve,” praising the charity’s veteran-friendly policies, from flexible leave to targeted recruitment and support networks.

This recognition celebrates Turn to Starboard not just as a therapeutic sailing charity, but as a leading employer of veterans and reservists - empowering service leavers and their families while setting a benchmark for excellence in the Armed Forces community.

The award celebrates not just a beautifully restored ship, but a vessel that continues to change lives—where tradition and transformation sail together.

Policies and Governance

T2S has achieved full membership of Cobseo (The Confederation of Service Charities) whose membership is made up of Service and ex-Service Charities and organisations, working to promote and further the interests of the Armed Forces community.

T2S is also an accredited RYA School and is a member of the Fundraising Standards Board scheme. We are inspected annually and all our Standard Operating Procedures are in lign with those of the RYA.

We are also an Armed Forces Coveanant signatory which means that we agree to demonstrate its two core principles: that no member of the Armed Forces community should face disadvantage in the provision of public and commercial services compared to other citizens; and that special consideration may be appropriate for some members of the community, especially the injured or bereaved.

Our Partners and Supporters