The Ulysses Trust provides essential financial support, advice and encouragement to the Reserve and Cadet Forces of the UK to undertake challenging and adventurous expeditions. These expeditions have a significant impact on individual development, unit morale and community cohesion, but are not funded by the public purse.
Born out of a ground-breaking attempt in 1992 by the Territorial Army to achieve the first British winter ascent of Mt Everest, the Trust, by supporting the undertaking of challenging activities, helps the engagement and development of young people in our society, both individually and as effective contributors to their communities and as citizens of this country. Since our founding we have extended grants totaling over £3.6 million to support almost 41,000 young people participating in almost 3,03 expeditions. We focus strongly on disadvantaged young people from areas of deprivation, using Free School Meals receipt as our indicator.
The Cadets have been proven to be one the most effective youth organisations for personal development, aspiration and social mobility. We know, from various surveys, that the adventurous expedition activities that we support are pre-eminent in that respect, and indeed in attracting young people to join Cadets in the first place.
Research undertaken by Professor Simon Denny at the University of Northampton conducted between 2016 and 2020 entitled ‘What is the social impact and return on investment resulting from expenditure on the Cadet Forces in the UK?’ found that ‘young people living in poverty have lower levels of confidence and motivation which makes it difficult for them to move out of the grip of poverty’.
Professor Denny went on to say: ‘By engaging young people in activities that boost their confidence, their motivation and their desire to achieve, the cadet forces are helping young people to move out of poverty’.
Quite simply we strive to help build confidence, strengthen communities and change lives. We are especially committed to helping address social cohesion, social mobility and the limits that social exclusion and deprivation place on the lives of young people.
In recent years there has been growing demand for the support the Trust provides. The success of the Government’s Cadet Expansion Programme, launched in 2012, in meeting its target of 500 CCFs is making a real impact. The number of Combined Cadet Force (CCF) units in schools doubled between 2012 and 2020, and these new units, all based in state schools, are growing strongly. Over 300 CCF units are now in state schools, with a high proportion in areas defined as of high or very high areas of deprivation. Thousands more children, many from disadvantaged backgrounds, are now experiencing life enriching cadet activities as part of school life. Echoing Professor Denny’s conclusions, Headteachers report significant improvement in attendance and behaviour, improvement in attainment, self-confidence and ambition of their children involved, creating positive benefits in all areas of school life.
We can only help young people to reach their full potential with your help.