UKSA has marked a milestone of surpassing over £1million in their partnership with the Edmiston Foundation to widen access in the maritime sector.
UKSA is this week recognising a significant milestone in their partnership with the Edmiston Foundation, which has now surpassed £1 million in cumulative support since 2021.
UKSA have said this is a moment that reflects a sustained commitment to expanding opportunity, removing barriers, and enabling young people from all backgrounds to access life-changing experiences and careers in the maritime sector.
Over the past 6 years, the Edmiston Foundation has been one of UKSA’s most significant long-term partners, supporting young people at every stage of their journey – from their first experience of outdoor learning through to progression into sustainable maritime careers.
A spokesperson for UKSA said flexible and long-term support from the Edminston Foundation has allowed UKSA to deliver impact where it matters most: at critical transition points in a young person’s development.
Rather than focusing solely on funding, the partnership is said to have been rooted in a shared belief that opportunity should be shaped by potential, not circumstance. Together, UKSA and the Edmiston Foundation have worked to remove financial, practical, and emotional barriers that too often prevent young people from accessing education, training, and employment pathways.
UKSA CEO Catherine Dixon said:
“Reaching £1 million is about far more than a funding milestone – it represents a deep, trust-based partnership that has helped us open doors for young people at the moments it matters most. With the Edmiston Foundation’s long-term support, more young people have been able to take their first step into outdoor learning, build confidence and skills, and progress into real maritime opportunities.
“Together, we’re proving that a young person’s background should never determine their future.”
Crucially, this partnership is succedding in widening access to the maritime sector -an industry that has historically lacked diversity – by opening up pathways for young people from underrepresented and disadvantaged backgrounds. Through sustained investment in both programmes and progression support, it is contributing to a more inclusive, representative, and future-ready workforce.
Since 2021, the partnership has contributed to 721 children accessing residential outdoor learning through UKSA’s Leave No Child Behind programme, 528 young people progressing through Maritime Futures with Sea.Change bursary support, 51 young people moving directly into maritime careers, thousands more benefiting from dedicated careers guidance and progression support with 100% of supported young people accessing safe facilities and wrap-around welfare.
This investment has also strengthened the wider pathway into maritime careers, increasing awareness of opportunities, improving access to guidance, and supporting a more diverse and inclusive future workforce.
Edmiston Foundation Chairman, Nicholas Edmiston said:
“The Edmiston Foundation has, for several years, been an enthusiastic supporter of UKSA. Their work to increase the diversity and accessibility of our industry is commendable and is something that we desperately need.
“I am a proud supporter of the charity and have personally come into contact and recruited some of UKSA’s former students and have been nothing but impressed. I am delighted to continue our strong partnership and I just hope more industry companies and owners see the long-term benefit and join us in supporting the UKSA charity.”
Reaching this milestone marks thousands of lives positively influenced – across education, wellbeing, skills development, and long-term employability and reinforces the importance of sustained, trust-based partnerships in delivering meaningful social impact.
