Liverpool Seafarers Centre is celebrating after winning a top award in recognition of its vital work.
The ecumenical charity scooped the Positive Impact Award at the Mersey Maritime Industry Awards 2020 held at St George’s Hall, Liverpool.
The centre beat off stiff competition from fellow nominees Jubilee Sailing and Nautilus International Welfare Fund to win the accolade, which was awarded to the entrant whose remit was to bring about positive measurable change, whether to the lives or living conditions of individuals, the community or in terms of projects that are changing perceptions about the industry.
Liverpool Seafarers Centre is a partnership between Apostleship of the Sea (Liverpool) and The Mersey Mission to Seafarers with roots dating back to the 19th Century. In September 2019, it was awarded the world’s best seafarer centre at the International Seafarer Welfare Awards (ISWAN) as nominated and voted for by mariners themselves.
Centre chief executive John Wilson attended the ceremony and collected the award.
He said: “We are delighted with this award win in recognition of everything we do, because it has been awarded by the maritime industry the centre serves.
“We were up against some strong candidates in the category, who are all doing valuable work to make a positive impact on the seafaring community.”
LSC’s work involves visiting vessels to integrate with the crew, offering a listening ear to help combat isolation and loneliness and providing places ashore for seafarers to relax away from their working environment.
The Crosby-based charity sees thousands of seafarers every year, many of whom need extra emotional support due to the length of contracts and missing family and friends, together with the nature of the work they do. For some, mental health problems can develop, and anxiety and depression seem to be becoming more evident.
John said: “We offer practical and emotional support on a daily basis to the crews that dock in Liverpool and the surrounding area, whether it be by going on board the ships or inviting seafarers into our centres in Liverpool and Eastham. Our vital work relies on charitable donations and that’s why recognition such as this is important to showcase what we do and the difference it makes to so many lives.”
The win attracted messages of congratulations on social media. Gary Millar (@garymillar) tweeted: Well done to the wonderful@Liv_Seafarers for winning the #MMIA20 ‘Positive Impact’ Award, sponsored by @TapiitMaritime
Crispin Pailing (@crispin_pailing) said: “And my team has won! Very, very many congratulations to CEO John Wilson and@Liv_Seafarers for winning the Positive Impact Award 2020 at #MMIA20 @mersey_maritime @SGHLpool
Richard Graham (@RSGraham1962) tweeted: “Superb effort John & team @Liv_Seafarers.”
Background
Liverpool Seafarers Centre
* Liverpool Seafarers Centre’s roots date back to the 19th century and is a partnership between the Catholic Apostleship of the Sea (Liverpool) and the Anglican Mersey Mission to Seafarers.
* LSC is funded by donations from the churches, we well as general donations and a new port levy on shipping lines.
* LSC provides support to 50,000 seafarers passing through Liverpool each year and is headquartered at Colonsay House in Crosby and opened a new centre in Eastham on Wirral opened in 2017.
* LSC centres provide ‘a lifeline’ to seafarers, offering a safe and secure place to rest and also receive practical and emotional support.
* With 95 per cent of British imports and exports transported by sea the UK is dependent on seafarers.
* Corporate supporters of LSC include: Essar’s Stanlow oil refinery in Ellesmere Port, Peel Ports, the Merchant Navy Welfare Board, the Mersey River Pilots, Mersey Maritime, the Voluntary Aid Club and The Phoebe Wortley Charitable Trust.