Our Winter 2025 newsletter is out now.
INTRODUCTION
Welcome to our Winter 2025 e‑newsletter!
In this special edition, we’re delighted to announce that His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh has become our new Royal Patron—bringing his long‑standing dedication to youth, cadet forces, and the DofE Award.
We held our annual Odyssey Circle celebration at Google HQ in November, where cadet speakers joined the Minister for Veterans to celebrate our mission. We’ve recently introduced two new initiatives: an Outstanding Service Award to celebrate Cadet Force Adult Volunteers plus a new bursary scheme for the Royal Geographical Society’s Explore weekend which is helping to inspire future expedition leaders. Details below, plus expedition highlights, and much more.
A MESSAGE FROM OUR CEO
As we look back on a year of remarkable progress, I am incredibly proud of how the Ulysses Trust has expanded its reach and sharpened its focus—ensuring our support goes where it is needed most and where it delivers the greatest impact.
Yet with this success comes a clear and pressing challenge: to sustain and grow this work, we must now match our ambition with the income required to help even more young people benefit from life-changing expeditions and adventurous training.
I am delighted that new supporters such as Forces Support are coming on board, and long-established partners such as BAE Systems and the Nuffield Trust are stepping up their support, and others such as Army Sport and the RAF Charitable Trust continue their long-term support. This ongoing level of commitment reflects the increasing recognition of the Trust’s value across Defence and beyond. Our work directly aligns with the Government’s Strategic Defence Review priority to grow and strengthen the Cadet and Reserve Forces, and we are equally proud to stand as a valuable partner to the Department for Education as it advances its curriculum review. Together, we are enabling young people to build the confidence, resilience, values, and life skills that shape them into capable, employable citizens.
But to continue this trajectory—to reach further, support more units, and ensure no young person is held back by financial barriers, we need your help. I invite all our supporters and friends to stand with us once again. With your support, we can ensure that the transformational power of challenge and adventure reaches every young person who can benefit from it.
Thank you for your continued belief in our mission.
Polly Marsh | CEO
RECENT EXPEDITIONS
It’s been an exceptional year for expeditions. This year alone, we have awarded grants to support 73 cadet expeditions, 25 University Officer Cadet expeditions, and 32 reservist expeditions – benefitting over 3,000 participants! Many of these deployed in 2025 with the remainder setting off in 2026. Over 500 cadets used the experience to complete the expedition element of their Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. Visit the expeditions section of our website to find out more about the cadet, Officer Cadet and reservist expeditions we have funded.
THE ROYAL PATRON EXPEDITION AWARDS
Following the announcement in our previous newsletter, we’re delighted to highlight two presentations of the Royal Patron Expedition Awards for the best expeditions of 2024 supported by the Ulysses Trust. The University and Cadet Category winners were presented at events in Wales and Oxfordshire – showcasing the very best of last year’s adventures and inspiring the next generation. The reservist category winner will be awarded early next year. Click the photos for details.
ADVENTURE IN ACTION
Last year, Ex: Tiree Tiger 2024 was chosen as the winner of our best cadet expedition award (see above). This year, Army Cadets from across the UK returned to Tiree for a similar adventure and they’ve produced this great video to showcase what they did.
SNIPPETS
Outstanding Service The Ulysses Trust has introduced a new award honouring Cadet Force Adult Volunteers who go above and beyond—planning, leading, and inspiring transformative cadet expeditions, and ensuring young people experience life-changing adventures. Read more.
Major Gift We are delighted to announce that Forces Support (https://forcessupport.org.uk/) has donated a generous £60,000 to the Ulysses Trust—fueling life-changing expeditions for cadets across the UK and helping young people build confidence, resilience, and teamwork through adventure. Read more.
Circle Celebration We held our Odyssey Circle event at Google HQ in November, featuring inspiring cadet speakers and the Minister for Veterans and People, all coming together to thank our fantastic supporters and celebrate our shared mission. Read more.
RGS Explore We’re proud to have supported 13 Officer Cadets and CFAVs with bursaries to attend the fabulous RGS Explore Weekend in November, giving them the chance to develop skills, embrace adventure, and gain unforgettable experiences in exploration and leadership. Read more.
Many Thanks to all our Supporters
We couldn’t do what we do without the fantastic support of our amazing supporters and donors Thank you!
