Founded in 1856, the Mission to Seafarers has provided practical, emotional and spiritual support to seafarers and their families for 170 years. Today, the charity continues to offer a friendly welcome and a helping hand to those who spend their working lives at sea, often far from home for many months at a time.
The Mission is particularly looking for volunteer ship visitors and volunteer centre workers to join its team serving both Hartlepool and the Tees. Ship visitors go aboard vessels arriving in port to offer friendship, conversation and practical assistance. They help seafarers access local services, purchase essential items and remain connected with their families back home.
Centre volunteers provide a warm welcome to seafarers visiting the Mission’s centres, helping with refreshments, shop sales and other practical needs while offering a friendly face and a listening ear.
All volunteers receive the training and support needed for their role. Ship visitors also complete port inductions and the nationally recognised Merchant Navy Welfare Board Ship Welfare Visitor Course.
Shane Moore, the Mission to Seafarers’ Regional Chaplain for the North East, said:
“Seafarers play a vital role in our everyday lives, bringing into the country many of the goods we all rely upon, yet their work can be extremely demanding and isolating.
Our volunteers provide a friendly face and a warm welcome when a ship arrives in port.”
He added: “You do not need a maritime background – just a willingness to listen, learn and offer some of your time. It is a genuinely rewarding way to make a difference.”
Information about volunteering opportunities across the North East can be found at www.mtsnortheast.org. Anyone interested in volunteering, or who would like an informal conversation before applying, should please email [email protected].
