21 May 2026
We're All In: How RYA Northern Ireland Is Helping Clubs Recruit and Recognise Volunteers
Behind every sailing club is a team of volunteers. RYA Northern Ireland is making sure they're supported.
RYA Northern Ireland's We're All In initiative has supported sailing and boating clubs across Northern Ireland to recruit, recognise and support volunteers ahead of the 2026 season.
Delivered through a flexible small-grants programme, the initiative encouraged clubs to place volunteering more visibly within their seasonal planning and create welcoming opportunities for members, parents and new volunteers to get involved.
Participating clubs
Activities funded included volunteer information evenings, family engagement events, volunteer training programmes, clean-up days and social activities designed to reconnect members and strengthen club communities.
Outcomes reported by clubs
- Increased volunteer engagement
- Recruitment of new volunteers
- Stronger communication within clubs
- Improved confidence among volunteers
- Increased parental involvement
- Greater awareness of volunteering opportunities
Volunteers are at the heart of sailing clubs across Northern Ireland. What was particularly encouraging through We're All In was seeing clubs begin to think more proactively about volunteering — not simply as something that happens naturally, but as something that needs support, planning and visibility within club life.
The programme also highlighted wider volunteering challenges facing clubs, including volunteer fatigue, succession planning and reliance on small groups of experienced volunteers. Feedback from clubs reinforced the importance of creating visible, welcoming and socially supportive pathways into volunteering.
The initiative also demonstrated that relatively small and flexible funding can create meaningful impact within clubs and help strengthen long-term volunteer sustainability.
RYA Northern Ireland will continue to explore opportunities to support clubs in volunteer development, training and community engagement across the region.