SAILORS' SOCIETY
We provide international welfare support for seafarers. Our charitable objectives are:Advancement of the Christian religion (through chaplaincy)EducationRelief of poverty and distress
Financial health, per its FY2024 accounts
The accounts state that the group recorded a net surplus of £5,000 for the year, with total reserves standing at £3.7 million. However, free unrestricted reserves were £1.9 million, which the trustees note is below their stated policy target of 24–36 months of unrestricted expenditure. The charity remains reliant on donations and legacies, which saw a decline in 2024, though the going concern basis is supported by sufficient financial reserves to operate through 2026.
What the accounts disclose
“free reserves stood at £1.9 million, which equates to 18 months of total unrestricted expenditure. This is below the range set out in the policy”
Leadership, per the charity’s website
- Sara Baade — CEO
Property (HM Land Registry)
Structured financials (annual return, FY ending 31/12/2024)
Register events
- Received assets from another charity (16/10/2020)
- Received assets from another charity (25/04/2019)
- Received assets from another charity (09/10/2012)
- Received assets from another charity (29/12/2011)
Trustees
- Dr PETER MICHAEL SWIFTchair
- Anna Grace Shrimplin Evangelidis
- CATHARINE MARGARET MORTON
- Christopher John Farrell
- Heidi Rosemary Heseltine
- Jonathan Holloway
- Joshua Paul Hutchinson
- Michael Peter Bunton
- Michele Rinette White
- Peter Charles Broadhurst
Income and spending
| Financial year end | Income | Spending |
|---|---|---|
| 31/12/2024 | £1.6m | £1.7m |
| 31/12/2023 | £2.3m | £2.1m |
| 31/12/2022 | £1.4m | £2.5m |
| 31/12/2021 | £1.9m | £3.0m |
| 31/12/2020 | £2.4m | £4.5m |
Common questions
Is SAILORS' SOCIETY financially healthy?
Per its FY2024 accounts: The accounts state that the group recorded a net surplus of £5,000 for the year, with total reserves standing at £3.7 million. However, free unrestricted reserves were £1.9 million, which the trustees note is below their stated policy target of 24–36 months of unrestricted expenditure. The charity remains reliant on donations and legacies, which saw a decline in 2024, though the going concern basis is supported by sufficient financial reserves to operate through 2026. Its FY2024 accounts were audited by Azets Audit Services.
Who funds SAILORS' SOCIETY?
Funders whose own accounts filings name SAILORS' SOCIETY as a grant recipient include THE I T F SEAFARERS TRUST, MERCHANT NAVY WELFARE BOARD, THE CORPORATION OF TRINITY HOUSE OF DEPTFORD STROND, BALTIC EXCHANGE CHARITABLE FOUNDATION, THE ANCHOR FOUNDATION.
Known funders
Funders of similar charities
| Funder | Similar charities funded | Amount to them |
|---|---|---|
| THE BARBOUR FOUNDATION | 2 | £27k |
| THE SYLVIA AND COLIN SHEPHERD CHARITABLE TRUST | 2 | £4k |
| THE HEMBY CHARITABLE TRUST | 2 | £3k |
| LLOYD'S REGISTER FOUNDATION | 1 | £460k |
| THE ROYAL NAVY AND ROYAL MARINES CHARITY | 1 | £165k |
| THE ELIZABETH AND PRINCE ZAIGER TRUST | 1 | £27k |
| DUDLEY AND GEOFFREY COX CHARITABLE TRUST | 1 | £21k |
| THE SIR JAMES RECKITT CHARITY | 1 | £19k |
Charities like this
- SAILORS' CHILDREN'S SOCIETY
- Seafarers' Christian Friend Society
- SEAFARERS HOSPITAL SOCIETY
- THE SHIPWRECKED FISHERMEN AND MARINERS' ROYAL BENEVOLENT SOCIETY
- THE MERCHANT SEAMEN'S WAR MEMORIAL SOCIETY (INCORPORATED)
- INTERNATIONAL CHRISTIAN MARITIME ASSOCIATION
Side by side with its peers
| Charity | Income | Top pay band | Staff >£60k | Reserves vs policy | Fundraising cost | Going concern |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SAILORS' SOCIETY | £1.6m | — | — | below | — | no doubt |
| SAILORS' CHILDREN'S SOCIETY | £896k | — | — | unclear | — | no doubt |
| Seafarers' Christian Friend Society | £245k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| SEAFARERS HOSPITAL SOCIETY | £544k | £90,001 - £100,000 | 1 | above | — | no doubt |
| THE SHIPWRECKED FISHERMEN AND MARINERS' ROYAL BENEVOLENT SOCIETY | £1.6m | £90,001 - £100,000 | 1 | above | — | no doubt |
| THE MERCHANT SEAMEN'S WAR MEMORIAL SOCIETY (INCORPORATED) | £1.4m | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |