New Community Partnership with Sailors’ Society
UK Women in Fisheries is proud to announce a new community partnership with Sailors’ Society , a global maritime charity that has been supporting seafarers and their families for over 200 years. Founded in 1818, Sailors’ Society has a rich history of providing practical and emotional support to maritime communities worldwide.
One of the standout initiatives from Sailors’ Society is their Peer-to-Peer Support Groups which offer safe and confidential spaces for seafarers to connect and support each other. These include groups specifically for women and LGBTQ+ seafarers, as well as groups for family members, providing tailored support to address the unique challenges faced by these communities.
Additionally, their Wellness at Sea programme offers free e-learning courses designed to help seafarers manage issues like loneliness, stress, and relationship challenges before they escalate. Participants can earn a certificate upon completion, making it a valuable resource for personal and professional development. You may find that the content is more suited to people who work in shipping, but we found the content is relevant to all seafarers. We especially recommend starting with the first three modules—Personal Wellbeing, Social Wellbeing, and Emotional Wellbeing—as they offer a strong foundation. If you'd like to earn a certificate, you'll need to complete all the modules, but each one is valuable on its own, self-paced and totally free! Find out more about the free e-learning on the Training page
Sailors Society also have a women’s helpline, where any seafarer can call or use instant chat in a 24/7 helpline and speak with another woman. Creating an understanding space where women can speak openly about their unique challenges at sea is hugely beneficial to women who still represent a small minority of people employed on vessels.
UK WIF collaborates with organisations that align with our mission to develop a more inclusive and supportive environment for everyone in the UK fishing industry. Partnerships with like-minded organisations like Sailors Society bring us closer to achieving a strong, supportive community of women who have access to appropriate resources and systems we all need to thrive.