Peer-to-Peer Support Groups

The sense of what is an 'on board community' has certainly changed. The advent of multi-national crews, faster turnaround times, lack of shore leave, access to on board technology and many other factors mean crew are no longer part of a ‘family” when on a vessel and this means they have lost this much-needed support system while they are away at sea.

Our Seafarer Peer-to-Peer Support groups offer a community that gives a real sense of being connected. Being part of a group reduces feelings of isolation and provides a safe place to ask for help and advice.

Members can leave at any time.

Being in charge can bring its own worries and being the captain doesn’t mean you won’t have wellness concerns. And not just personal ones - as a captain, you also have a crew to care for.

That’s why we are setting up Peer-to-Peer Support Groups just for captains.

It will be a place to connect and chat with those of the same rank, with the same levels of responsibility. A safe, confidential space to talk through current issues that can’t be discussed with other ranks. A forum to share advice and best practice.

If you would like to know more or join a group, then contact us here:

While being at sea is tough, staying home on shore can be equally hard for the families left behind. We have special support groups just for seafarer family members. Here families can find mutual support, a place to share their concerns and swap coping mechanisms for those long months of separation.

Every day our chaplains are there for seafarers affected by the fighting in Ukraine - many are thousands of miles from families, powerless to help and distraught.

Now, to help seafarers support one another through this extraordinary time, Sailors' Society has launched three bespoke Peer-to-Peer Support Groups.

Some 14.5 per cent of the world's seafarers are Ukrainian or Russian. And up to one in five officers are Ukrainian, meaning many crews will find themselves serving under officers concerned about their country and loved ones back home.

The Support Groups allow Ukrainian and Russian seafarers to speak to other crews from their own country in their own language, while a third group is made up of seafarers from other nationalities.