Seafarers Link launched in Wallasey

25/06/2009

Hundreds of retired and lonley seafarers in and around Wallasey could  benefit from a new 'phone-a-friend'  scheme being set up in the city.

 

Seafarers Link - the new phone friendship scheme providing opportunities to chat, share news, interests and problems - is being set up by Community Service Volunteers (CSV), the Community Network and the Maritime Charities Funding Group, in a range of maritime locations across the country, including Wallasey.

 

Peter Castledine, Seafarers project officer said: "Spending too much time alone with no one to talk to can make people very low and lonely. Our goal with seafarers link to get people talking and feeling good."

 

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 seafarers is expected to rise by around 15% by 2015, reflecting continuing loss of employment in the industry.

 

At a meeting tomorrow (Thurs, 18 June) with the union for maritime  professinals at Nautilus House (Wallasey), retired seafarers will be rallied to 'give the new telephone friendship service a go' - as a way to to swap expereinces and provide companionship for those who find it difficult to make new friends having spent a long career at sea.

 

The Seafarers Link will be a fortnightly telephone conference group, set up by teleconference charity Community Network, which will link up to eight callers.

 

Peter Castledine, adds: "Seafarers Link is an exciting telephone scheme, it is about the simple acts that can help grow friendship. It will cost seafarers nothing, and we are urging older seafarers to give it a go!"

 

Community Network social inclusion offer, Sue Robinson, said: "It can be difficult for seafarers to adjust to retirement - and not always easy for their families and carers to access services and resources - that is why the Seafarers Link is so important."

 

To find out more about Seafarers Link, or register to take part, contact Peter Castledine on 020 7643 1379 or email pcastledine@csv.org.uk.