Celebrating the ASF and Greenwich Hospital Partnership

Celebrating the ASF and Greenwich Hospital Partnership © Andrew Simpson Foundation

Celebrating the ASF and Greenwich Hospital Partnership © Andrew Simpson Foundation

Celebrating the ASF and Greenwich Hospital Partnership © Andrew Simpson Foundation

At the Andrew Simpson Foundation (ASF) we believe partnership working significantly expands and diversifies opportunities in and around the water for young people.

Our new partnership with Greenwich Hospital has seen ASF supporting the launch and delivery of two successful programmes for children and young people from serving Royal Naval families - RNSA Youth Crew and Swim Free.

Greenwich Hospital supports serving and veteran Royal Navy, Royal Marine and Royal Fleet Auxiliary personnel and their families and have for over 325 years. They aim to make a real and lasting difference to the lives of those who serve our Nation.

Working in collaboration the Royal Naval Sailing Association (RNSA), the ASF is the delivery partner for RNSA Youth Crew. The programme is delivered from seven locations across the UK and enabled 350 young people from the Royal Navy community to achieve their RYA Stage 1 and 2 certificates in 2024. In total the programme has provided over 2000 days of activity, including family days and regular participation clubs, funded by Greenwich Hospital.

Deirdre Mills, Director of Greenwich Hospital, said, "We are absolutely delighted to be working in partnership with the Andrew Simpson Foundation. The ASF team has proved itself to be amazingly professional and totally dedicated to providing a lifechanging experience for our young people. We look forward to a long collaboration."

This year has also seen the launch of the Swim Free, a brand-new programme - funded by Greenwich Hospital and delivered through the ASF - for children and young people from serving Naval families to learn how to swim.

Swimming is an essential life skill for young people that allows them to develop their confidence in and around the water. Through developing confidence and key skills, Swim Free also broadens the opportunities available to young people, such as participating in the RNSA Youth Crew programme.

Since launching in November 2024, Swim Free has already supported over 50 young people from serving naval families to access free swimming lessons, with the programme due to support a total of 1000 young people in 2025.

Richard Percy, the ASF CEO said, "As we look ahead to 2025, both the RNSA Youth Crew and Swim Free will support thousands of young people and families from the Royal Navy community. Partnering with Greenwich Hospital has allowed the ASF to reach even more young people, and through working together, transform their lives through sailing and watersports".

To find out more about either programme, visit the RNSA Youth Crew or Swim Free websites.