The charity Marine Society & Sea Cadets (MSSC) has unveiled its ambitious strategy for sea cadets and seafarers at the House of Lords on Thursday, 20th April.
The launch was well attended by Members of the House of Lords, Members of Parliament, leaders from the UK youth sector and senior Royal Navy officers. The event was hosted by MSSC Vice President, Lord Mountevans.
The charity’s 2023-2028 strategy is focused on making its services “future ready” to maximise opportunities for its young people and seafarers, enabling them to grow, thrive and reach their full potential in today’s rapidly changing world.
One of MSSC’s top priorities over the next five years is to focus on equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) by removing all barriers to accessibility. It was the young cadets themselves who decided to prioritise EDI.
Speaking at the House of Lords, royal marines cadet Nadirah (aged 15) said: “The number one strategic priority for cadets…is to ensure units and activities are accessible. Sea Cadets is for all young people, and we need to make sure our units contain every kind of young person – especially from groups which are currently underrepresented.”
Nadirah added that by removing all barriers, Sea Cadets will be able to support even more young people aged 10-18, from all backgrounds and circumstances. “No young person should have to miss out on experiences that have improved our lives so much,” she said.
The charity’s new strategy will also concentrate on growing to meet the long waiting lists for young people to join Sea Cadets, leveraging the DCMS Youth Investment Fund to make this happen by engaging more volunteers to help delivery.
Other key areas include growing and broadening the maritime curriculum on offer to seafarers and maritime professionals from apprenticeships to supporting those wishing to come ashore, modernising cadet training to further reflect today’s Royal Navy and driving the youth voice at all levels, ensuring that every cadet has a say in their Sea Cadets experience.
“Research has shown that Sea Cadets has a significant positive impact on young people within just six months – at which point they have a sense of improved well-being, feel confident about their post-18 destinations, and are motivated to contribute to their communities,” said MSSC’s CEO, Martin Coles CBE. “We cannot stop the world from changing, but we can ensure through our 2028 strategy that our young people and seafarers are future-ready.”
