Maritime Charities Group

Supporting seafarers and their families

The present Chairman of the MCG is Cdr Graham Hockley (formerly of Trinity House) and the current Programme Development Manager is Valerie Coleman.

Aims

The aims of the Maritime Charities Group (MCG) are to:

Encourage best practice
Share information on grant applications and, where appropriate, the funding of grants for major projects
Share data and information among the members
Promote harmonisation of grant making procedures
Jointly fund projects and research of overall benefit to maritime charities

History

The Maritime Charities Group was established in 2003. The group’s membership is comprised of Seafarers UK, Merchant Navy Welfare Board, Trinity House, Nautilus International, Seafarers' Hospital Society and the Royal Navy & Royal Marines Charity. The administration of the MCG lies with Seafarers UK ( www.seafarers-uk.org ). The Chairmanship of the MCG lies with the independent Chairman, Cdr Graham Hockley, and the current Programme Development Manager is Valerie Coleman.

The MCG aims to collaborate closely by understanding one another’s policies and grant making criteria, sharing information, jointly funding larger grants and encouraging good practice.

In 2005 the members agreed that there was a need to look at the current work of the maritime welfare charities against future needs. This recognised significant issues taking place in the charity sector alongside major changes that continue to take place within shipping and seafaring. To achieve this members jointly funded and managed a major research project covering the Royal Navy, Merchant Navy and fishing industry. The research covered four groups:

Older Seafarers and their Dependants
Working Age Seafarers
Families & Dependants of Working Age Seafarers
Young People in Maritime Youth Groups

‘Supporting Seafarers and Their Families: Challenges for the Future’ (SSTF) was published in May 2007 and its recommendations have formed the basis for a series of developmental projects and further research since that time.

A few examples of projects funded by MCG:

Seafarer Support www.seafarersupport.org an award-winning referral and information service for all seafarers
Family Support Project www.sailorschildren.org.uk providing emotional and practical support for seafaring families in the South West.

Contact MCG to:

Discuss our current development programme
Explore the possibility of working in partnership to deliver innovative projects or research for the benefit of seafarers and their families

Email : valerie.coleman@seafarers.uk
Tel : 07515 050301

MCG Reports

To download, view or print the latest working group reports please use the links below:

Accommodation, Care and Support Strategy for older seafarers and their dependants:

The MCG also continues to take overall responsibility for the ‘Supporting Seafarers and their Families' initiative by:

Reviewing and updating the Report
Jointly managing and financing the employment of the Programme Manager
Jointly funding and agreeing projects for the common benefit of the maritime charities and their beneficiaries
Reviewing annually and reporting, to the maritime charities, the progress of recommendations and projects.