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February 2025
Dear Supporter,
Welcome to the February edition of Seapost, The Seafarers' Charity's e-newsletter. We’re so grateful for your continued support, and we’ve packed this edition with exciting updates and ways you can make a real difference. We hope you enjoy reading it!
Best wishes,
Luca Selvaggio
Editor
Every day, thousands of men and women work at sea to keep global trade moving, ensuring essentials like food, fuel, and medicine reach our shores. Yet, many seafarers face financial hardship, isolation, and difficult working conditions.
For more than 100 years, The Seafarers’ Charity has been funding life-changing support to improve financial resilience, mental health, and safety at sea. By donating through Payroll Giving, you can help sustain this vital work in the most tax-efficient way. Your donation comes straight from your pre-tax salary, meaning every contribution costs you less while delivering more impact. A £10 donation, for example, costs just £8 for a basic-rate taxpayer and £6 for a higher-rate taxpayer.
Signing up is simple. If your employer has a Payroll Giving scheme, all you need to do is choose The Seafarers’ Charity. If they don’t, encourage them to join - we’re happy to guide them. This Payroll Giving Month, let's ensure that those who keep our world moving receive the support they deserve.
This month, we're spotlighting Islay & Jura Community Enterprises (IJCE), a charity providing essential support for current and retired seafarers. Thanks to our grant, IJCE delivers wellness activities, mental health support, and practical services to help seafarers navigate financial, social, and health challenges.
Women’s Equity Index – Have Your Say!
Women make up just 2% of the global seafaring workforce, highlighting the need for change. As the main sponsor of the Women in Transport Equity Index 2024, The Seafarers’ Charity is committed to advancing gender diversity in maritime.
This Index will provide vital insights into equity across transport industries - your input ensures maritime is well represented
Help drive progress by completing the survey by 22 February and supporting better, safer working lives for seafarers.
Photo Credit: Juven Tupas - ITF Seafarers Trust.
Sea Views Podcast – New Episode!
Sea Views is kicking off the new year with an episode on ISWAN’s global allyship campaign, Safe at Sea… it takes all of us!, funded by The Seafarers’ Charity and the UK P&I Club.
Women seafarers are over three times more likely to report abuse, bullying, and harassment than men. This campaign highlights male allyship and practical steps to create a safer, more inclusive industry. Hear from Georgia Allen (ISWAN) on the campaign’s impact and Sophia Grant (UK P&I Club) on shifting industry attitudes toward mental health and psychological safety.
Proudly Celebrating the Seafarers of Tomorrow at UKSA Graduation
On 7 February, our Director of Business Development, Temi Binitie FICS, attended the UKSA Superyacht Cadetship graduation, where we proudly recognised The Seafarers’ Charity Top Cadet – Aroha Oakley.
This year, 7 of the 41 graduates were able to launch their seafaring careers thanks to the bursaries we've funded for nearly 15 years. Seeing their excitement, hearing heartfelt gratitude from their families, and knowing the impact of our funding reaffirms why we do what we do. These young cadets are stepping into an industry full of opportunity, and we are proud to play a role in removing financial barriers so they can follow their dreams. Their success is a testament to the power of education, support, and investment in the future of maritime.
Celebrating National Coastwatch Volunteers in Whitstable
Last week, our Head of Grants, Louise Parkin, visited Whitstable on the Kentish coast to celebrate National Coastwatch Institution (NCI) volunteers.
NCI watchkeepers provide eyes and ears along the coast, monitoring radio channels and keeping watch in poor visibility. When people find themselves in trouble, NCI alerts the Coastguard and directs emergency and rescue services.
Thanks to a grant from The Seafarers’ Charity, NCI has been able to upgrade its seafront station to a better location with improved equipment. Part of our funding will also support the volunteer training programme.
Happy LGBTplus History Month!
At The Seafarers’ Charity, we are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive maritime sector where every seafarer feels safe, seen, and supported. We understand that coming out in the workplace is deeply personal, and no one should feel pressured or unsafe. That’s why we’ve developed our Coming Out Toolkit, a resource to support LGBT+ individuals and help colleagues become better allies.
As part of our ongoing commitment, we proudly align with Maritime UK’s Diversity in Maritime Pledge, driving positive change towards a more inclusive maritime industry. We’re also supporting the upcoming Pride in Maritime meeting, led by our Trustee Lee Clarke Vorster AFRIN, Chair of the Pride in Maritime Network. The session will explore 'LGBTQ+ Challenges in Uncertain Times,' addressing barriers, opportunities, and ways to foster inclusivity in maritime.
