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June 2025
Dear Supporter,
Welcome to the June 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
The Seafarers' Charity Annual Meeting
On 4 June, we held our 108th Annual Meeting aboard HMS Wellington, the only surviving 'Battle of the Atlantic' ship on the east side of the Atlantic and an iconic River Thames landmark since 1948.
It was an honour to have His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh, our President, on board to present The President’s Awards. These recognise outstanding contributions to maritime welfare; many congratulations to 2025's
recipients UK P&I Club, UK Sailing Academy and Lloyd's Register Foundation.
The meeting began with remarks from our Chair, Paul Butterworth AFNI, followed by key motions shaping the charity’s governance and future direction. Our Chief Executive, Deborah Layde, reflected on the charity’s impact in 2024, reaffirming our commitment to ending need and disadvantage for seafarers and their families.
The Vice President of The Seafarers' Charity, Nusrat Ghani MP, then delivered a powerful keynote address on the critical importance of mental health support for those working at sea.
We were delighted to see so many supportive faces from across our maritime network. We extend a heartfelt thank you to all the attendees, venue staff, supporters, and delivery partners for making this day so special.
Maritime UK Awards Finalists
We’re thrilled to announce that The Seafarers’ Charity is a finalist for the Diversity & Inclusion Champion Award at this year’s Maritime UK Awards - as well as being 2025's chosen charity!
This recognition reflects a journey we began in 2019, when we first started collecting baseline data on the governance of maritime welfare charities. In 2020, we established an internal staff-led EDI group (The Diversity Group) to support a more inclusive culture within our organisation. Since then, the group has brought important conversations to the fore around race, nationality, gender, sexuality, disability, and mental health. By regularly sharing activities, videos, and training materials at staff meetings, we continue to challenge our thinking to stay aware of different people’s lived experiences and how pre-existing systemic issues impact diverse groups.
We look forward to joining everyone in Dover on 26 June to celebrate the achievements and success stories of the maritime sector.
My Harassment-Free Ship: Raising Awareness Ahead of Day of the Seafarer
On 25 June, the global maritime community comes together to celebrate the Day of the Seafarer. Led by the IMO, this year's theme is 'My Harassment-Free Ship'. This aims to promote a culture of respect and zero tolerance for bullying and harassment at sea.
At The Seafarers' Charity, we are proud to fund several partners and services focused on tackling harassment or providing support to survivors. The following are just some of the services available to those seeking more information:
And in the run-up to ‘DotS’, we'll be sharing more materials including case studies, research, and resources.
The Seafarers' Charity on BBC News: Supporting Hull's Maritime Heritage
On 3 June, we were featured on BBC News for our support of the Arctic Corsair trawler in Hull, which is being restored as part of celebrating the city’s proud maritime history.
Through a £20,000 grant to the Hull Maritime Foundation, we’re helping to recruit volunteers with seafaring experience to bring this iconic vessel’s story to life for visitors. Built in 1960, the Arctic Corsair is Hull’s last surviving sidewinder trawler. Once active in the Cod Wars, it’s now being restored to become the star exhibit at the new North End Shipyard maritime attraction in 2026.
As our Chief Executive, Deborah Layde, said: "The maritime sector has a rich heritage in the UK and beyond, and there is no one better placed to educate the next generation than someone with lived experience."
Deborah Layde Recognised by The Fishmongers’ Company
Congratulations to our Chief Executive, Deborah Layde, who was formally sworn in and admitted as a Member of the Freedom of The Fishmongers' Company on 22 May.
This well-deserved honour recognises Deborah’s unwavering commitment to improving the welfare and safety of those working in the UK’s fishing industry. Her leadership has been central to The Seafarers’ Charity’s progress in supporting UK fishers.
We’re so proud to celebrate this well-deserved recognition!
Sea Views Podcast EP. 17 - Safety in Offshore Energy
In this episode of the Sea Views podcast, Graham Skinner of Offshore Energies UK and Pete Lowson from the Maritime & Coastguard Agency discuss safety practices in the offshore oil, gas, and wind industries.
They delve into the industry’s safety records, the importance of cross-sector collaboration, and the impact of new technologies such as AI and autonomous vessels.
Sea Views is funded by The Seafarers’ Charity and supported by CHIRP Maritime.
Founded in 1839, SMS has a long history of supporting retired and active seafarers, fishers and their families through life’s most difficult moments. This includes financial hardship, disability, and crisis situations like homelessness or urgent household repairs.
Thanks to our grant, SMS provides regular financial assistance to people living on low incomes, helping cover essentials like heating, food, and daily costs with dignity.
Their nationwide network of caseworkers ensures support reaches those who need it most. Many beneficiaries never even realise where the help came from, which is a true testament to the Society’s quiet but powerful impact.
Read the full case study to see how our grant is enabling SMS to continue this vital work, including how a specialist bed helped bring one family closer together during a time of crisis.
A Celebration of Waves of influence: Women Leading Maritime
On 9 July, we are celebrating the achievements of women across the maritime sector.
Organised by The Seafarers’ Charity and Sailors' Children’s Society, and supported by The Fishmongers’ Company, Trinity House, and associate sponsors UK P&I Club, this special fundraising lunch at Fishmongers’ Hall will spotlight leadership, resilience, and the ongoing challenges faced by women in maritime.
The event’s headline speakers are Sarah Kenny OBE, CEO of BMT, and Nusrat Ghani MP, Vice President at The Seafarers’ Charity and Deputy Speaker at the House of Commons. The event will be hosted by broadcaster Jenni Falconer, with a charity auction led by BBC’s Caroline Hawley. A limited number of tables and sponsorship packages remain available for the event, and to book a place, potential attendees should contact: events@theseafarerscharity.org.
Happy Pride Month 2025!
Pride Month is a time to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community and reflect on progress toward equity and inclusion. At The Seafarers' Charity, we're committed to embracing diversity daily, creating a workplace where everyone feels valued and respected, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.
Our 'Coming Out Toolkit' is a key resource shared with new staff during induction. We understand that joining a new organisation can be daunting for LGBTQ+ individuals, and there can be pressure around disclosing their identity. This toolkit empowers staff to make that choice for themselves and encourages allies to support a safe, respectful workplace.
