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Sailors' Society

Also known as: British and International Sailors' Society, British Sailors' Society at Home and Abroad Incorporated, B I S S, British Sailors' Society, Bss

We provide international welfare support for seafarers. Our charitable objectives are:Advancement of the Christian religion (through chaplaincy)EducationRelief of poverty and distress

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Activities & Mission

We provide international welfare support for seafarers. Our charitable objectives are:Advancement of the Christian religion (through chaplaincy)EducationRelief of poverty and distress

Areas of Operation

Where this charity is registered to operate, as self-declared to the Charity Commission. These are regulatory classifications, not a list of active programmes, and don't necessarily indicate fundraising activity in each location.

Show all 18 areas of operation

Financial Information

Latest Income
£1,557,000
Latest Expenditure
£1,698,000

Financial Efficiency

Program Ratio 80.7%
% of income going directly to charitable activities

Higher than 25% of UK Housing charities with income £1M to £10M (sample: 1072). How is this calculated?

Overall Efficiency 74.0%
% of expenditure going to programs (vs overhead)

Higher than 12% of UK Housing charities with income £1M to £10M. How is this calculated?

Administrative Ratio 31.6%
Overhead (fundraising + governance) as % of total expenditure

Lower overhead than 7% of UK Housing charities with income £1M to £10M. (Lower overhead is generally read as more efficient.) How is this calculated?

Latest Financial Breakdown

Income Sources

Donations & Legacies £1,191,000
Charitable Activities £4,000
Other Trading £199,000
Investments £159,000
Other Income £4,000

Expenditure Categories

Charitable Expenditure £1,257,000
Raising Funds £441,000
Governance £95,000
Grants to Institutions £2,000
Other Expenditure £0

Financial Trend

Annual Returns

As filed with the Charity Commission for England and Wales. Most recent filing covers the financial year ending 2024.

Financial YearIncomeExpenditureCharitable SpendingNet AssetsReservesStaff
2024
£1,557,000
£1,698,000£1,257,000£3,708,000£1,928,00018 / 70
2023
£2,253,000
£2,062,000£1,548,000£3,703,000£2,142,00031 / 152
2022
£1,389,000
£2,489,000£2,008,000£3,406,000£1,952,00057 / 194
2021
£1,850,000
£2,971,000£2,105,000£4,790,000£3,428,00071 / 294
2020
£2,353,000
£4,493,000£3,652,000£5,710,000£3,100,000127 / 500

Staff column shows: Employees / Volunteers

Frequently asked questions about Sailors' Society

What does Sailors' Society do?

We provide international welfare support for seafarers. Our charitable objectives are:Advancement of the Christian religion (through chaplaincy)EducationRelief of poverty and distress

How much income did Sailors' Society report in 2024?

Sailors' Society reported total income of £1.56m and reported expenditure of £1.70m for the financial year ending 2024, based on the most recent annual return filed with the Charity Commission.

How efficient is Sailors' Society?

Sailors' Society has a program ratio of 80.7%, meaning that share of its income goes directly to charitable activities. This is higher than 25% of UK Housing charities with income £1M to £10M (sample of 1072 charities). See our methodology for how this is calculated.

When was Sailors' Society registered as a charity?

Sailors' Society was registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales on 17 December 1964 as charity number 237778. It has been registered for 62 years.

Who runs Sailors' Society?

Sailors' Society is governed by a board of 6 trustees. The chair of trustees is Dr PETER MICHAEL SWIFT. Trustees are legally responsible for the charity's governance and are listed in full on its profile.

Where does Sailors' Society operate?

Sailors' Society operates across 18 areas, including Australia, Belgium, Brazil and 15 others. The full list is shown on its profile.

Is Sailors' Society a registered charity?

Yes — Sailors' Society is a registered charity in England and Wales, charity number 237778.

Details

Address
Seafarer House
74 St. Annes Road
SOUTHAMPTON
SO19 9FF
Registration Date
17 December 1964
Status
Registered

Registry Information

Organisation Number
237778
Charity Number
237778

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Trustees

Dr PETER MICHAEL SWIFT Chair
CATHARINE MARGARET MORTON
Joshua Paul Hutchinson
Michele Rinette White
Nigel Peter Bassett

Sectors & Classifications

Also Known As

  • British and International Sailors' Society
  • British Sailors' Society at Home and Abroad Incorporated
  • B I S S
  • British Sailors' Society
  • Bss

Data & trust

Register data refreshed
14 May 2026
Report a data issue