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purposelypodcast

Empowering Young People Through the Challenge of the Sea

Welcoming Bruce Pilbrow, CEO of Spirit of Adventure Trust, to Purposely Podcast where he shares the charity's mission to empower young people as well as his career journey working for corporates and 'for purpose' organisations and charities.


Their mission is to empower young New Zealanders to reach their full potential through the challenge of the sea. As CEO Bruce Pilbrow explains, "The power of the ocean is probably the core of it, and youth development is what we do."


A Transformative Experience


The trust operates the Spirit of New Zealand, a tall ship that serves as a floating classroom and character-building environment. Each voyage brings together 40 diverse young people, most of whom don't know each other, for an intense 10-day experience.


"I've been in youth development on and off for 30 years. I've never seen anything transform like this does. It's unbelievable". The program's success lies in its ability to create a level playing field for all participants, regardless of their background.


Disconnecting to Connect


In an age dominated by technology, the Spirit of New Zealand offers a unique opportunity for young people to disconnect from their devices and connect with each other and nature. Participants hand in their devices upon boarding, creating an environment free from digital distractions.

"That, in itself, is a big game changer," . This digital detox allows participants to focus on building real relationships and facing challenges together.


Challenges and Growth


The voyages are designed to encourage participants to step out of their comfort zones. From climbing the rigging to release sails to working together in watches, every aspect of life aboard the ship is a learning experience.


Pilbrow explains, "Everything on the ship is manual. So if you look at the square rig, we cannot sail until someone climbs up and climbs out and releases the sail. Now you get a young person doing that who's been sitting in their room gaming for the last year, just that alone, and they come down and they virtually kiss the deck because they've achieved something momentous out of their comfort zone."


A Diverse Community


The Spirit of Adventure Trust aims to create a diverse community on each voyage. While they can't accommodate those with severe behavioural or mental health challenges, they welcome young people from all walks of life.


"We can't do the bottom 2%," Pilbrow clarifies, "but the vast majority of our people that we do deal with have a myriad of challenges." This mix of participants creates a rich environment for personal growth and understanding.


Impact and Reach


The trust's impact is significant. They conduct 26 ten-day voyages and 10-12 five-day voyages annually, sailing nearly every day of the year. This commitment to their mission allows them to reach and influence a substantial number of young New Zealanders.


Looking to the Future


Under Pilbrow's leadership, the trust has refocused its efforts entirely on its core mission of youth development. By doubling down on this focus, they aim to maximize their impact on New Zealand's youth.


As Pilbrow outlines "We underestimate our young people in New Zealand way too much." The Spirit of Adventure Trust continues to prove that when given the right opportunities and challenges, young people can surpass expectations and discover their true potential.

Through the power of the sea and the spirit of adventure, this unique charity is shaping the future leaders of New Zealand, one voyage at a time.


Episode Out Monday 9 September 2024

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