Maritime Charities Group

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, Seamen’s Hospital Society and the Royal Navy & Royal Marines Charity.  The Chairmanship and administration of the MCFG lies currently with Seafarers UK (www.seafarers-uk.org).  The current Chairman is Commodore Barry Bryant CVO RN, Director General of Seafarers UK and the current Programme Development Manager is Valerie Coleman (vcoleman.mcfg@nautilusint.org).
 
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:

‘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.