SHS seafarer wellbeing webinar series

In 2022 Seafarers Hospital Society (SHS) organised a series of short webinars with our strategic partners to give practical advice and increase awareness of available resources for seafarers and their loved ones. The 30-minute webinars, held on the last Wednesday of each month at 12.00 BST, will focus on a key issue impacting seafarers ranging from cancer detection and musculoskeletal health to financial stressors and mental health. The sessions will allow seafarers and others to ask questions and engage with experts on these topics.

Sandra Welch, the Chief Executive Officer of SHS says,

“We have been supporting seafarers for 200 years and know how important it is to give individuals the tools to manage their wellbeing and also seek support. The latter can feel very intimidating, but we are happy to help either through our own financial assistance programmes or those of our partners. The recorded webinars will remain on our website so that this information remains readily available to any seafarers in need.”

Webinar 1: Cancer Awareness

Date: 30 March 2022

Presenters:
Darren Couchman (Community Engagement Manager, Robin Cancer Trust)
Carol Elliot (Programme Delivery Manager, SeaFit Programme)

Description:
Working at sea makes it difficult sometimes to make appointments for regular check-ups. Raising awareness about early detection and diagnosis of cancer is key to saving lives.


Webinar 2: Healthy Minds

Date: 27 April 2022

Presenters:
Joanne Spencer (Account Manager, Togetherall)
Ceri Summers (Mental Health Practitioner, Seafit Programme & Fairwinds Cornwall)

Description:
Working at sea can be challenging and impacts mental health. We offer free, confidential mental health and well-being services via Togetherall. SHS also offers mental health support to fishers through the Seafit programme.


Webinar 3: Building Financial Resilience

Date: 25 May 2022

Presenters:
Tina  Barnes,  Head of Impact, The Seafarers’ Charity
Sandra Welch, CEO, Seafarers Hospital Society

Description:
It takes a lot of courage to acknowledge financial distress and seek help, but the process of going about it can seem. How should grants be filled out? How to successfully create a plan for resilience? That’s where we come in. Join us on the 25 May at 12 noon for useful information about how to improve financial resilience, as well as apply for a grant through Seafarers Hospital Society.


Webinar 4: Managing and Combating Fatigue

Date: 24 June 2022

Presenters:
David Watson (CHIRP)
Dr. Claire Pekan (Director, Safe Marine)
David Patraiko (Head of Research and Relationships, The Nautical Institute)

Moderator:
Capt. Kuba Szymanski

Description:
The nature of maritime operations means that staff on ships and in ports around the world are responsible for safety critical work day and night. This has an impact on the rest time available to seafarers with some seafarers experiencing fatigue, this may affect  them both mentally and physically. Across the industry, at sea and ashore the common method for managing fatigue relies on rules for work and rest hours as per ILO MLC, 2006. This webinar Managing and Combating fatigue looks at the importance of combating fatigue.


Webinar 5: Musculoskeletal Health

Date: 28 September 2022

Presenters:
Jeniffer Cardew and Ruth Sutherland

Description:
Due to the nature of their work, seafarers who sustain a musculoskeletal (MSK) injury may have difficulty in accessing appointments often visiting medical professional several weeks after sustaining an injury which leads to longer rehabilitation times and may affect their ability to return to work. Through preventative programmes steps can be taken to improve musculoskeletal health at every stage of life, and tackling a number of risk factors could result in the dramatic improvement in the musculoskeletal health of the seafarer.

This webinar MSK Health presented by physiotherapists  highlights the role physical activity plays is reducing MSK injuries, and raises awareness of its importance in helping seafarers lead healthier lifestyles through being physically active.


Webinar 6: Stoptober – Stop Smoking

Date: 26 October 2022

Presenter:
Katie Hall, Locality team lead, Healthy Cornwall

Description:
Stopping smoking benefits one’s health as well as those around you. SHS aims at highlighting a range of services and support that can help seafarers quit smoking.


Webinar 7: Movember – Men’s Health

Date: 30 November 2022

Presenters:
Richard Beecroft, Senior Health Trainer for Fishermen
Dr. Charlotte Mendes Da Costa (General Practitioner)
Representative from Seafit Programme

Description:
The webinar focuses on men’s health and hopes to encourage and empower men to take care of their physical and mental wellbeing.


For further information please contact [email protected].