Sailors’ Society launch new-look Wellness at Sea Awareness Campaign

13/11/2023

Maritime welfare charity Sailors’ Society, which is supported by Wescom Group, has launched a new-look Wellness at Sea Awareness Campaign for seafarers, their families and shore staff.

Nine modules cover everything from physical and mental wellness to financial concerns and everyday fears including piracy. Each module has easy-to-digest information, comic strip-style tips, posters and new ‘huddles’, which are discussion points to further explore each topic.

The Wellness at Sea Awareness Campaign features new material, podcasts and videos thanks to funding from the MNWB, the umbrella charity for the UK Merchant Navy serving 45 constituent members including Sailors’ Society.

The free Awareness Campaign provides vital tools to help mariners look after their own well-being and that of those around them.

New-look Wellness at Sea Awareness Campaign packed with resources

Sailors’ Society’s Head of Wellness, Johan Smith, says, “We all know that being away at sea can be tough. But those working in offices supporting shipping operations and those waiting for seafarers back home also face challenges. Working together, the whole ecosystem of seafarer, family and shore staff can support one another.

“This Awareness Campaign is packed with resources and signposts users to all the other support services we offer from our 24/7 helpline and Crisis Response Network to our free e-learning platform and Peer-to-Peer Support Groups, where thousands of seafarers and families are sharing experiences and advice.

“We are very proud to bring groups together as they understand best of all what one another is going through. This support is so vital for wellbeing, for safety and for a company’s bottom line.”

Stuart Rivers, CEO of MNWB, says, “A campaign of this nature is something the seafaring community has been crying out for.

“And while there are many resources available for seafarers, this project goes further by offering a plethora of support to their families and those at shore through the cost-of-living crisis.

“Mental health and wellbeing are the biggest challenges seafarers face and, as an industry, we need to keep working with new initiatives like this to help break down the barriers, so seafarers are able to talk.”

To sign up for the Awareness Campaign email Johan Smith at jsmith@sailors-society.org

Sailors’ Society is one of the largest and most comprehensive seafarers’ support charities in the world.

Wescom Group previously sponsored Sailors’ Society Wellness at Sea Conference and staff members have been ambassadors for the charity.

Source: Sailors Society