From the Mission to Seafarers

The Mission to Seafarers has announced a ‘Strategic Reorganisation’ which is designed to refocus charitable activity on the global ‘regionalisation’ of maritime welfare service provision for seafarers. It will also realise substantial savings and increased efficiency.

A number of the Mission’s global regions already operate independently, within a context of strong mutual support, common purpose and shared identity. As from April 2014 The Mission to Seafarers in Africa, The Middle East and East Asia will become new regions, and further regionalisation will follow. Changes will also take place in the UK and near-Europe.

The Revd Andrew Wright, the Secretary General, commented: “This process of regionalisation has many benefits; ensuring closer support for local teams, tapping into regional energies, engaging regions more actively in policy-making and encouraging a greater sense of local responsibility in relation both to funding and to service delivery.”

The strategy also gives renewed focus to the Mission’s “Global Review” process which is currently looking carefully at the level of Mission resource allocated to individual ports.

Andrew Wright said: “There have been significant changes in shipping patterns and it is vital that we ensure that Mission activity in ports is in proportion to shipping operations. We are committed to carrying out the necessary analysis and to following through on the implications. The Mission has a commitment to developing chaplaincy teams in new or growing ports, especially where there is evidence that there is no alternative welfare provision. A number of ports are currently under active exploration.”

The new strategy also contains a strong financial element. Executive Director, Martin Sandford said: “Our Trustees felt it was essential to reduce our costs and ensure that we set ourselves on a realistic path to a balanced budget within an acceptable time frame – this strategy will do that.”

Robert Woods, Chairman of the Trustees, said: “The Mission has seen many changes in its 158 year history. We are absolutely confident that the new strategy will take us forward in our ability to deliver a strong, flexible, modern and focused welfare and support service to the seafarers to whom all of us within The Mission to Seafarers remain absolutely dedicated.”

ENDS

Notes to Editors

The Mission to Seafarers

Founded in 1856, and entirely funded by voluntary donations, today’s Mission to Seafarers is a registered charity that offers emergency assistance, practical support, and a friendly welcome to crews visiting over 260 ports around the world in 71 countries.

Whether caring for victims of piracy or providing a lifeline to those stranded in foreign ports, we are there for the globe’s 1.3 million merchant seafarers of all ranks, nationalities and beliefs.

The Mission to Seafarers’ Patron is Her Majesty The Queen and our President is Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal.

To find out how we help those facing shipwreck, abandonment, loneliness and danger, visit our website: www.missiontoseafarers.org