No images? Click here ![]() The summer is nearly over and sadly Covid-19 continues to impact the world. Seafarers have been the unsung heroes of this pandemic, despite the fact that the world continues to rely on them to transport more than 80% of trade, including food and medical goods, energy, and raw materials, across the globe. They have also been the invisible victims of the crisis with travel restrictions and challenges accessing vaccinations leaving an estimated 250,000 stranded on ships or unable to join ships, according to the IMO. So the need for our services and for those of the maritime welfare charity sector in general has never been greater. SHS remain true to our mission: to look after the health and welfare needs of seafarers. Read more about how we’ve been doing that in the past few months and our exciting plans for the rest of the year. Plus an opportunity to delve into the past and join us in celebrating the 25th anniversary of the Seafarers Advice and Information Line (SAIL) – the only Citizens Advice service for seafarers. ![]() LATEST NEWS ![]() Putting Seafarers at the Heart of Shipping - LISW Webinar Last week we launched the initial findings of our landmark study of seafarer health and wellbeing initiatives which is being conducted by Yale University with the report being presented on the 26th November 2021. The event, ‘Putting Seafarers at the Heart of Shipping’ took place on Thursday 16th September at London International Shipping week and was targeted at anyone in the industry with an interest in seafarer welfare. Speakers included:
COMING UP SOON ![]() Seafarer Health and Wellbeing - Hybrid Conference On Friday 26th November we will be hosting a hybrid conference on Seafarer Health and Wellbeing. This will showcase the full results and recommendations of the Yale University study and provide an opportunity for all those with a stake in seafarer health and wellbeing, from shipping companies to maritime welfare organisations, to discuss the way forward. The conference will also see the launch of the report of the SeaFit Programme and provide an opportunity to hear about future plans for the project. The event will be held at Trinity House, so save this date and we’ll send you details of how to register nearer the time. ![]() They are: Responsive - to the problems faced by seafarers and their families Pioneering - in our approach to treatment, medical practice, and training Inclusive and non-discriminatory – in the treatment of seafarers and the provision of opportunities In June we delved deeper into what we mean by being ‘responsive’. This time we take a closer look at our ‘pioneering approach’ which was exemplified in 1996 by the establishment of the Seafarers’ Benefits and Advice Line, now SAIL, the first telephone helpline for seafarers, in a joint initiative with the CAB. Twenty-five years on and SAIL continues to provide seafarers with invaluable support, advice and information on benefits, debt, employment, and other issues tailored to their individual circumstances SAIL IS 25 YEARS OLD THIS MONTH! Twenty five years ago this month, on 24th September 1996, the Seafarers Hospital Society launched a new telephone helpline service for seafarers under the umbrella of the nationally acclaimed Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) service. The Seafarers’ Benefits Advice Line (SBAL) opened for business with just two advisers, one full-time and one part-time, and an administrator. In the first year they dealt with 1,181 problems for 491 clients and gained £56,000 on their behalf. Today we know it as SAIL, the Seafarers Advice and Information Line – a unique and much-prized service that provides a lifeline to so many seafarers and their families. Now there are 10 advisers (equivalent to eight full time posts) and last year they dealt with 1,748 clients and raised almost £2.3m on their behalf. That’s a resounding success. Read about how it all started and what’s been achieved in the last 25 years. ![]() How it began In 1988 SHS conducted a review of its role in the seafaring community and appointed a firm of consultants to investigate the needs of seafarers and their families. The consultants identified a significant gap in the support available and recommended the establishment of a telephone counselling line or help service aimed solely at seafarers and their families. The Society approached the National Association of Citizens Advice Bureaux (NACAB) and together with Eltham CAB produced a framework for a new telephone information and advice helpline to be run according to the same standards as any other CAB but focused exclusively on the seafaring community. The helpline would be funded and supported by the Society with day-to-day management provided by Eltham CAB which was in the Borough of Greenwich - close to SHS’s base and full of maritime history. ![]() Wellington launch The new service was launched on 24th September 1996 on board HQS Wellington - the Headquarters Ship of the Honourable Company of Master Mariners - moored on the Thames. The Rt. Hon. John Prescott MP, himself an ex-merchant seaman, was guest of honour and said: “This helpline is great news and will be a tremendous boost for seafarers and their families. I know from personal experience how people at sea can become isolated, feeling there is no one to turn to deal with their problems.” ![]() ![]() From strength to strength Since then the service has gone from strength to strength and is regarded as an essential element in the network of support available to the seafaring community. It is now managed by Citizens Advice Greenwich (formerly Eltham CAB) and funded by SHS, The Seafarers Charity and Greenwich Hospital. Here are some of the highlights from the early days and key events of the last 25 years: HIGHLIGHTS ![]() 1996:
![]() 1997: ![]() ![]() 1997: 2000: ![]() 2006: ![]() ![]() 2008: ![]() ![]() 2008: 2009: 2011: 2012: ![]() 2016: ![]() August 2016: ![]() 2019: DEMAND FOR SAIL SERVICES In the past 25 years demand for SAIL’s services has grown exponentially. The number of issues tackled has increased more than five-fold and money raised on behalf of clients hit an all-time high of close to £2.3m in 2020. This includes debt write-offs, rescheduled debt repayments, charitable grants and benefit entitlement. ![]() Client problems Since 1996 the problems presented by clients have become increasingly complex and time-consuming and the depth and breadth of the service provided has grown as a result. Debt now takes up a significant proportion of the caseload and is both time-consuming and complex. As part of Citizens Advice Greenwich, SAIL is registered with the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) so that it can help clients reduce debt and maximise their income – something which has become even more important in the wake of the Covid pandemic. SAIL also has a unique role in processing debt relief orders on behalf of clients. This is a cheaper, quicker and simpler alternative to bankruptcy and far less stressful for clients. On a day-to-day basis welfare benefits, debt, employment and housing problems continue to dominate and much of SAIL’s advice and casework includes negotiation with third parties on behalf of clients. ![]() Breakdown of enquiries 1996/97 ![]() Breakdown of enquiries 2020 ![]() ![]() THE FUTURE FOR SAIL There is no doubt that the need for SAIL’s services will continue to grow as the pressure on seafarers and their families increases. Emma Knight, Chief Executive of Citizens Advice Greenwich said: ‘Over the next few months we expect to see an increased demand for our services as government-funded Covid support is withdrawn. The loss of the Universal Credit uplift and the end of furlough will adversely affect those on a low income and seafarers will be very badly hit. Our role in helping people to reduce their debt and maximise their income will be more important than ever before as we recover from the trauma of the past 18 months.' To contact SAIL To find out more about any aspect of our work, call the office on 020 8858 3696 or email admin@seahospital.org.uk ![]() MEETING OUR MISSION IN 2021 In our bicentenary year, we constantly strive to meet our mission to ‘Look after the health and welfare of seafarers and their families‘, by adapting and modifying our service provision, being flexible and responsive to needs, and forming symbiotic partnerships to improve seafarers’ welfare and wellbeing. Here is an update on how we’ve done that in the past three months. ![]() RESEARCH PROJECT WITH YALE UNIVERSITY The Seafarers Hospital Society and Yale University are collaborating on a landmark study to determine the effectiveness of initiatives taken by shipping companies, charities, and the wider maritime sector to keep seafarers healthy and safe. This six-month study aims to review existing research and recommendations, identify current practices, determine their coverage across the industry and assess their perceived effectiveness. The results of the study will be disseminated to the global seafarer community to encourage the adoption of best practice and improve seafarer health, safety, and wellbeing. Independent global charity Lloyd’s Register Foundation (the Foundation), which has a mission to engineer a safer world, is also working on the project to provide support and expertise in evidence collection with a specific focus on mental health and wellbeing. As part of the research four virtual round table meetings were held where shipping companies, policy makers, trade unions, regulatory bodies and maritime welfare organisations shared their perspectives on seafarers’ mental health and wellbeing. Topics included training, living conditions, interpersonal factors and work demands. The research report and findings will be presented at the Seafarer Health and Wellbeing conference on 26th November 2021. ![]() SHS GRANTS SHS provide grants for emergencies, covering anything from stairlifts to washing machines, from mobility scooters and respite care, to assistance with funeral costs and essential debts. An additional source of help is now available thanks to the Anchor Fund, which was set up by The Seafarers Charity specifically for Merchant Navy personnel. The fund is targeted at merchant seafarers who are based in the UK and are suffering financial hardship due to Covid-19. Demand for hardship grants has decreased in this quarter - we awarded 72 grants totalling £39,247.06 ![]() ![]() ![]() And thanks for grants awarded: “We can’t believe your generosity in our time of need. Thank you!” “Recently you helped fund a local fisherman with his general living expenses. With your help and that of other charities he and his children were able to have a holiday together and had an amazing time. I've received lots of happy photographs including this one with the message: ‘you can't put a price on quality time spent together’. So.... thanks again.” ![]() OUR WORK IN NUMBERS ![]() Physiotherapy grants ![]() Togetherall ![]() SAIL ![]() SAIL ![]() Dreadnought Medical Service The priority service remains on hold, but they are taking referrals which are being wait listed. To find out more about what is and isn’t available from the Society at any time, call the office on 020 8858 3696 or email admin@seahospital.org.uk ![]() Carol Elliott, SeaFit Programme Manager, reports from the frontline on the vaccination of visiting seafarers and reflects on the future of the project The Covid pandemic has provided new opportunities for engagement in a way that could never have been foreseen. We quickly realised there was an intractable gap in the NHS national vaccination programme. Migrant fishermen in particular, who were not registered with a GP, were not being invited for their vaccinations and yet were working in close quarters alongside their UK crewmates. We became the connecting influence between the fishermen, large boat owners and the NHS. The Fishermen’s Mission Port Staff and SeaFit Healthy Lifestyle Advisers and local NHS Trusts all worked together to set up various appointments and drop-in based methods, from quayside pop-ups to reserving block appointments at vaccine centres. This led to the take up of just over 1400 vaccinations and contacts made with fishermen to offer further support. ![]() The Future The SeaFit Programme will continue to operate with the support of SHS and The Fishermen’s Mission for the remainder of this year. Plans are still to be firmed up but here is a preview of some of the items on our action list:
The final report of this 2-year project funded by The Seafarers Charity will be delivered at the conference on 26 November 2021. To find out more |