RYA Northern Ireland Launches “We’re All In” to Inspire New Volunteers Across Clubs

RYA Northern Ireland Launches “We’re All In” to Inspire New Volunteers Across Clubs

RYA Northern Ireland has launched the next round of its successful volunteering initiative, We’re All In, designed to help sailing and boating clubs across Northern Ireland attract and inspire new volunteers ahead of the 2026 season.

Volunteers are the heartbeat of every club, and We’re All In provides practical support and funding to help clubs engage new helpers, strengthen their volunteer base, and celebrate those who already give their time.

Building on Last Year’s Success

Following the success of last year’s programme, RYANI is building on a strong foundation of community impact. The 2024/25 initiative saw:

• 250+ people engaged across participating clubs and events

• Increased awareness among members about how they can actively contribute to club life

• New roles created, including club coordinators and event leaders

• Fresh training opportunities introduced in first aid, powerboating, and instructor development

“We’re All In has shown just how much potential there is within our clubs when members are given the chance to get involved,” said Mary Martin, Workforce Development Officer at RYA Northern Ireland.
“The enthusiasm and creativity we saw last year were incredible — clubs found new ways to engage volunteers, build capacity, and make a real difference in their communities.”

What’s Involved This Year

Clubs selected for this year’s programme will:

• Host a volunteering-focused event

• Share insights on their current volunteer structure

• Take part in RYANI-led workshops

• Contribute to a case study highlighting their journey and impact

Reflecting on last year’s success, one event organiser shared:

“This initial event created real momentum, it’s snowballed quite nicely,” said Elwyn, who helped deliver one of the 2024/25 projects.

Find Out More: Information Evening

To help clubs learn more, RYA Northern Ireland will host an online information evening on 24 November 2025.
The session will outline the programme, share volunteer development ideas, and guide clubs through the application process.

Register for the Information Evening:
Click here to sign up

Funding Opportunities

Successful clubs can receive up to £500 in funding to support their event and volunteer training needs.

If oversubscribed, RYANI will consider factors such as club size, location, and previous funding to ensure a balanced mix of participants. Additional funding is also available for Sailability volunteering projects.

🗓 Applications close on 15 January 2026.

Funding Application Form

Get In Touch

For more information or to register your interest, contact:
mary.martin@rya.org.uk

Mary Martin (She/Her)
Workforce Development Officer, RYA Northern Ireland