The positive effects of being a sea cadet

SEA CADETS HIGHLIGHT THEIR LEGAsea

 Naval Charity publishes My LegaSea report – surveying former cadets on the impact of structured youth activity

My LegaSea – launching into life is a ground-breaking multi-generational research study commissioned by the Marine Society and Sea Cadets (MSSC) and delivered by independent researchers. It was was designed and guided by academics at Durham University and Goldsmith’s College London. It examined the impact on an individual’s whole life of their engagement as a young person with the experiences offered by Sea Cadets.

The 160-year-old national youth charity, has published its ‘multi-generational’ impact study following participation of over 3,000 former cadets dating back as far as the outbreak of the Second World War – to the present day. It was launched to mark the 80^th anniversary of the outbreak of the Second World War, a period which triggered rapid expansion of the Sea Cadets movement; the charity actively began canvassing for former cadets’ stories from 2016. The aim of the campaign was to explore the impact of cadet life on young people, aged 10 to 18, and record how it helped shape their future lives. The charity will now use the findings to shape the future course of the Sea Cadets, which currently has 14,000 young members. But researchers also hope that such a major study can be used in wider society by those involved in other youth groups and those in charge of policy.

Captain Phil Russell, head of Sea Cadets, said: “My LegaSea is a remarkable initiative which brings Sea Cadets history to life through fascinating human stories and cherished memories.”

The full report reveals a plethora of insight, bringing to light ten key areas of impact identified by the research participants. Three indeed stand out for the charity:

95% confirmed Sea Cadets had a positive impact on their life, long after they left.

80% confirmed Sea Cadets developed their independence and skills.

70% confirmed Sea Cadets improved their ability to cope with challenges.

The report found that only 4% were unable to identify a specific long-term impact on their lives, affirming that Sea Cadets launches young people for life.

In 1940, the first offshore Training Ship ‘Bounty’ was purchased and in 1942 the charity was officially named the Sea Cadet Corps, attracting a huge intake of new cadets.

THE STUDY IDENTIFIED EIGHT KEY IMPACT AREAS:

• The transformative effect of the enabling environment created by Sea Cadets.   

• The vital role of Sea Cadets’ empowering educational approaches, particularly with respect to the lives of those who did not always flourish within mainstream schooling.

 • The importance of reframing risk and appreciating the value of the challenging and adventurous experiences safely supervised that occur within Sea Cadets.l

• The significance of the friendships and sense of belonging nurtured by the Sea Cadets experience.

• The fostering of courage and confidence through involvement with the Sea Cadets programme that enables former members to navigate later life with greater resilience.

• The value of progressing through the ranks in Sea Cadets which for many plays a pivotal role in preparing them for their working life.l

• The range of skills for life developed in Sea Cadets that proved advantageous in the longer-term.l

• The value of impact and outcome studies that embrace long-term evaluation techniques.

  The report’s conclusions make interesting reading. Researchers point out that: “This research confirms there is an alternative to merely guessing whether or not the social and informal education undertaken by a youth organisation achieves impact over time.”

It dismisses “the current preoccupation with short-term outcome measurement, that communicates only a partial and often prejudicial picture of impact. Importantly this study of long-term impact identifies the contribution Sea Cadets has made in terms of helping former cadets enjoy a fulfilling life… not only for the participants themselves, but also for wider society.“

It points out that “organisations such as Sea Cadets are first and foremost educational bodies founded on a progressive, consistent and practical training programme.”

It shows how such training allows cadets to “embark with more confidence and resilience on the voyage to adulthood,” and describes that as “icing on the educational cake”.

It shows how a cadet’s time over a number of years with dedicated instructors “leads to a long-term sense of belonging and community like the one many former and current Sea Cadets describe. Usually we learn best from those we have faith in, people who have by word and deed demonstrated to us that they have something profound and worthwhile to teach.”

It lauds the “positive attitude to risk that many respondents underscored within their comments. There is perhaps a need to reframe notions of risk both as to how young people are perceived and portrayed in policy and also to value the role practical challenges in the context of safe and supportive environments like the Sea Cadets play in fostering the ability to navigate risk and challenge in later life.”

It points out that while much of youth policy is dedicated to protecting young people from risk, danger or even challenge many young people actively seek opportunities to test themselves with “risky pursuits”.

Another rewarding effect of the report is the feedback it delivers to the Sea Cadets’ many and varied volunteers who give up evenings and weekends to run the cadet units up and down the country. For the first time it officially quantifies how their hours and years of unpaid service have such a positive impact on the young lives of their cadets and the sustaining legacy of that which is often felt throughout adult life.

You can read the full 93 page report:  HERE