It’s often said that Christmas is a time for family. But for the children of seafarers, they know that special moments in the year can easily pass with a parent on the other side of the world.
Coinciding with the recent return to the UK of the Royal Navy’s Carrier Strike Group after eight months at sea – just in time for Christmas – we’re taking a look at the work of the Naval Children’s Charity (NCC).
NCC has spent more than 200 years making sure naval children are supported, not only in moments of crisis, but in building confidence, skills, and opportunities for the future.
Much of that work today is led by Kim Hill, project manager for the charity’s Life Chances Programme.
Kim joined the charity in 2024 after a career in education and outreach, bringing with her skills and experience that complement the development side of NCC’s work. The Life Chances programme is designed to give young people access to experiences and opportunities they might otherwise miss out on due to the demands of their parents’ service.
Frequent moves, financial pressures, or the challenges of childcare, especially in single parent households when a spouse is on deployment, can all create challenges. Many of the young people who attend are the siblings of someone who has an additional need or disability. The programme equips them with the time and opportunity to explore their own identity and discover new experiences.
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It could be a sailing trip, a residential activity, theatre trips, careers advice, or university exposure. We also try to make sure activities come with some kind of accreditation like Duke of Edinburgh or Arts Awards. That way, young people have a tangible takeaway that enhances their progression and future opportunities.”
Kim Hill
Project Manager for NCC’s Life Chances Programme
For many, it’s the first time they’ve been able to try something completely different, sometimes with long lasting results. “We’ve had young people participate in a Tall Ships voyage and end up as paid watch leaders”, says Kim. “Others have gone into apprenticeships or college courses in subjects they discovered through us.”
Thanks to a multi-year grant from The Peter Dixon Fund, launched by The Seafarers’ Charity last year, the Naval Children’s Charity is one of three delivery partners working to build a stronger presence in Scotland.
“So far we’ve delivered with Tall Ships Youth Trust, Never Such Innocence, and PGL activity camps, and all of those will continue for the next two years,” Kim says. “We also have an archaeology project with Glasgow University, running pilot workshops with naval young people around Helensburgh.”
This year, 10 young people embarked on a Tall Ships voyage from Greenock, and about 15 young people on PGL camp.
Whilst the numbers are modest for now, Kim is excited about the future.
“In Portsmouth we now have about 150 young people participating each summer, so we know the model can grow. I want children of naval families in Scotland to have the option to do whatever it is they want to do. It’s those tiny little opportunities that can trigger a domino effect. That’s what I want to give them - that golden moment that changes everything.”
