Seafarers Link Project
Hundreds of former Merchant Navy, Royal Navy, Royal Marines, Wrens and fishermen could benefit from a new telephone friendship project, designed to provide companionship and a listening ear. Set up by CSV's Retired and Senior Volunteer Programme (RSVP), in collaboration with Community Network with funding from the Maritime Charities Funding Group, the fortnightly telephone conference groups started with two groups in Hull in early June 2009; further groups started in Wallasey and Cardiff in August 2009. They will link up to eight callers in a phone group, as an opportunity to meet new people, share stories and swap experiences. The scheme plans to expand into four additional areas by 2010.
According to research commissioned by the Maritime Charities Funding Group the number of former merchant seafarers and fisherman is expected to increase by around 15% by 2015 and 46% by 2020. The number of older fishermen is expected to rise by around 15% by 2015, reflecting continuing loss of employment in the industry. RSVP hopes the new telephone friendships scheme will provide opportunities for companionship and improve seafarer welfare.
