Nurturing Health and Wellbeing for our Seafaring Heroes - Your Support Matters.

It is thanks to our loyal supporters that we have been able to do so much for seafarers and their families in times of need. In 2023, our loyal supporters' donations helped us to:

• Award 67 grants
• Support 50 organisations
• Award £2.4m in total funding

Seafarers work 24/7/365 and are vital to our nation, yet they remain out of sight to many people. Their needs are very real, and becoming more desperate as the cost-of-living crisis worsens. The strain of financial worries is having a profound impact on the mental and physical health of many seafaring families. Only with your help, The Seafarers’ Charity is able to stand as a beacon of hope in these desperate times for all who navigate the seas for our collective benefit. Our support of their health and wellbeing is vital to us all and we’re proud to be able to provide much-needed funding to our delivery partners, including:

• Queen Victoria Seamen’s Rest that provides accommodation and welfare support for active and retired seafarers and their dependants.
• Age UK Seafarer Links friendship groups for older seafarers that help to connect with peers from similar backgrounds to alleviate loneliness.
• Cobhair Bharraigh SCIO that helps to improve the quality of life for elderly seafarers living with mental, physical or sensory impairment. 
• Befrienders Worldwide that provide emotional support to seafarers contemplating suicide.
• The National Federation of Fishermen’s Organisations that aid fishers in need of health and wellbeing support.
• International Medical Health Foundation that focuses on medical research aimed at enhancing the health and wellbeing of seafarers.
• Nautilus Welfare Fund that provides accommodation and support to retired mariners at their Mariners’ Park care home.

Your generous donation will make a big difference.

To continue this impactful work, we need your support more than ever. Your donation is not just a financial contribution; it is a lifeline for many seafarers, like:

Alex*, a fisherman suffering from an aneurysm in his arm, who benefited from attending Aquacare sessions organised by Islay & Juray Community Enterprises. The sessions helped improve his physical fitness and had a profound impact on Alex’s mental wellbeing too, alleviating his loneliness. ‘As I live on my own, I get lonely and it can hit me hard. Aquacare is a great way to get out of the house and see other people too.’

Caroline*, an ex-RN seafarer and single mum, who was battling severe mental health issues. She was supported by the Naval Children’s Charity thanks to our funding. ‘I have no family support, so everything falls onto me, which I find extremely stressful due to having severe depression and anxiety. The word ‘thank you’ just doesn’t seem enough for all the appreciation I feel to the charity for supporting me and my child.’

*Names have been changed to protect privacy.

To support this Appeal and other projects that we fund, please give a donation to our charity. Your support
matters, and together, we can make a meaningful difference in the lives of those who dedicate themselves
to service of the sea.

Improved Health and Wellbeing Grants 2023

• 21 total grants awarded
• £699,366 total grant funding
• 22,656 total people helped

Your gift will be used wherever the need is greatest to support seafaring families in need.