Mission reaches out to fishermen

Communication is key to the Fishermen’s Mission’s work, and a new initiative aims to bolster that, reports John Periam.

“We can only provide support if we know it is needed,” said Ali Godfrey, the Mission’s director of business development. “Fishermen are proud people and often keep any worries to themselves. We at the Mission are there to help in time of need, hence the idea of sending out this new ‘chat card’ to guide them in the right direction.”

This is the first time the Mission has reached out to its four thousand or so clients in this way. Ali added: “Due to Covid-19, staying at home has been a key factor for many. We try to make regular telephone calls to check in, but we are a bit worried that there are some folk who are lonely or feeling down. We want them to know that we are thinking of them, and that we are around for that all-important conversation.

“We also know that it’s been a really tough time for our active fishing fleet, so we have also contacted them to remind them that even though we might not be walking around the quays, we are still only at the end of the phone, and can help if times are hard.”

Mission CEO David Dickens said: “What we have done this time is something very new. I would like to endorse Ali’s comment by adding how much we appreciate the efforts of Fishing News in making our fishing communities aware of the work we do.”

The card has been designed to be eye-catching when it arrives in the post, and the Mission hopes that it will serve as a timely reminder to any recipients who might be in need of help.