Seafarer Link Telephone Befriending Service

Maritime Charities Funding Group Maritime Charities Funding Group 2007 carried out national research

Social isolation is common amongst retired seafarers in the UK 11% seafarers 7% generic older population

20 years experience providing telephone befriending to socially isolated people

Pilot funding Programme development guidance Management and Development Recruitment of seafarers Setting up/supporting telephone groups Publicity and project profiling across UK Project Evaluation Senior Volunteer (RSVP) Recruitment of seafarers Publicity across UK

About Seafarer Link: “It’s so important that we keep in touch. Seafarers Link is like a helping hand saying “Don’t worry Shipmate, you’re not the only one in the boat.”

Phase 1 Evaluation Key Findings Sample: 30 active seafarers of 40 recruited Disability declared 26% disabled (of which) 62% have reduced mobility

Maritime Occupations Merchant Navy: 60% Fishermen: 30% Royal Navy: 10% (including WRNS)

Worst things about retirement: 46% loss of work colleagues and camaraderie 36% living alone

Would like more opportunity: 56% To talk to more people regularly 50% To talk to other seafarers 53% Keen interest in world affairs

Project progress: 5 Active telephones groups 30 retired seafarers, widows/wives active in the project 5 members trained as group facilitators Approx. 150 maritime/seafarer organisations consulted

Key Support Organisations :

Shipwrecked Fishermen & Mariners Society Federation of Naval Associations Merchant Navy Welfare board Merchant Navy Association Branches: Hull, Cardiff, Barry and National HQ Numast (Mariners Park)

Fishermens Mission, Grimsby WRNS Association: London, Portsmouth, Glasgow Merchant Seamens War Memorial Society Royal Navy Association: SW Flotilla

Other organisations contacted: Aged Merchant Seamen: Sunderland Age Concern: Plymouth, Lowestoft Apostleship of the Sea Blesma Blue Funnel Courageous Society HMS Nelson HMS Drake HMS Peacock Liverpool Seafarers Centre Merchant Navy Association: Newport MNA Old Friends P&O Ferries PoppyScotland

Plymouth Befriending Network Royal Navy Association branches and HQ SSAFA: London, Portsmouth, Plymouth Royal Navy Benevolent Trust Royal Navy Charities Co-ordinator Royal Navy Patrol Service Royal Marines Association Royal National Lifeboat Institution Sailors Society Scottish Nautical Welfare Sir Gabriel Woods Mariners Homes Service Personnel and Veterans Agency Sir Oswald Stoll Foundation Star and Garter South West Company of Mariners The Forces Church Veterans Outreach Support Drop In Centre (Portsmouth)

Community Network 20 th Anniversary Pavillion Terrace House of Commons March 2010 Community Network 20 th Anniversary Pavillion Terrace House of Commons March 2010 Seafarer Link beneficiaries came to the celebration

The Way Forward Pilot Evaluation Findings - evidence of success Attracting financial resources to maintain project Continued consultation with seafarers & maritime organisations Implement development strategies