A CHARITY has announced its new 'pioneering' partnership with the Royal Navy.

Jubilee Sailing Trust is a Southampton based charity that works to change lives by offering trips to people to all ages, backgrounds and abilities, onboard its tall ship.

The Royal Navy offers several training opportunities to trainees prior to going to Front Line Command but there is currently no training for using larger tall ships.

Through its new collaboration, the charity will allow naval trainees to come and get that tall ship sailing experiences.

The partnership is launching on November 1 from Portsmouth and will see almost 200 Royal Navy recruits and officers come on board SV Tenacious, becoming a key part of the ship’s crew.

Working as part of a Watch, they will be involved with all aspects of crewing Tenacious, from setting sails to washing dishes, from helming the ship to keeping watch at night.

Colonel Ade Morley RM MC from the Royal Navy said: "The voyages will provide a fantastic opportunity for our people as they move from initial to specialised training.

"The opportunity provides them with further experience at sea - and from an organisation that has proven it delivers impact for those who sail with them."

Over a four month period they will sail on voyages from the UK to Lisbon, the Canaries and across the Atlantic to the Caribbean.

The experience is designed to "further enhance life-skills, including confidence and resilience building, as well as teamwork".

Patrick Fleming, Chief Executive of the JST, said: "We are delighted to be working with the Royal Navy and delivering such a pioneering voyage programme this winter.

"Our ship’s crew are really looking forward to getting to know the trainees."