The Ulysses Trust provides essential financial support, advice and encouragement to the Reserve and Cadet Forces of the UK to undertake challenging and adventurous expeditions. These expeditions have a significant impact on individual development, group morale and community cohesion, but are not funded by the public purse.
Planning and participating in expeditions develop valuable life skills including initiative, leadership, self-confidence, judgement, working with others and physical well-being. These characteristics can significantly help young people reach their full potential as effective contributors to their communities, and to employers, and as role models within society as a whole. Such opportunities are also an important reason why young people join the Volunteer Reserve and Cadet Forces, so they significantly contribute to unit morale, recruitment and retention – a virtual circle.
Furthermore, the cadets are supported by 12,000 dedicated and committed adult volunteers nationally, with an estimated 50% being veterans of the Royal Navy, Army or RAF.
Support for young people from disadvantaged backgrounds is particularly required in London. There are at present some 280 cadet centres with almost 12,000 cadets in Greater London. In 2018 and 2019, before the pandemic halted cadet activity, the Ulysses Trust supported 14 expeditions undertaken by cadets from Greater London and involving almost 500 participants. In 2023 young people from 282 (East Ham) Sqn, RAF Air Cadets and Greater London South East Sector Army Cadet Force made life changing and inspiring trips to Wales and South Africa.
In 2023, 35% of young people supported by the Trust were in receipt of Free School Meals (FSMs), the measurement the Trust uses to assess deprivation and disadvantage. This is way above the national average of secondary school age youth on FSMs (24.1%). In the same years our support to Greater London cadets totalled £20,800 representing around 22% of overall expedition costs.
The CEO of the Ulysses Trust Polly Marsh DL said, “The fantastic support with a donation of £25,000 from the London Freemasons will open up many opportunities for extraordinary young Londoners to take part in life changing expeditions both home and abroad. We are extremely grateful to the Lodge and its members and look forward to keeping you updated of the difference you have made to these young lives.”
Paul King, from the London Freemasons, said: “We love how the Ulysses Trust gives opportunities to young Londoners – and particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds – to develop skills which they will use for the rest of their lives and make them into better citizens..”
