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
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
Grants
Sailors' Society makes grants as part of its work.
- Gives grants to
- organisations and individuals
- Grants paid (2025)
- £500
- Who it helps
- children and young people, elderly people, other charities or voluntary bodies and other defined groups
- What it supports
- general charitable purposes, education and training, the prevention or relief of poverty, accommodation or housing and religious activities
As recorded with the Charity Commission. To ask about applying, use the contact details and check the trustees and latest accounts below.
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Learn more about premium profiles See a sample profileAreas 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.
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Financial Information
Financial Efficiency
Higher than 31% of UK Housing charities with income £1M to £10M (sample: 347). How is this calculated?
Higher than 13% of UK Housing charities with income £1M to £10M. How is this calculated?
Lower overhead than 6% 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
Expenditure Categories
Financial Trend
Annual Returns
As filed with the Charity Commission for England and Wales. Most recent filing covers the financial year ending 2025.
| Financial Year | Income | Expenditure | Charitable Spending | Net Assets | Reserves | Staff |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | £1,476,000 | £1,764,000 | £1,259,000 | £3,546,000 | £1,929,000 | 17 / 70 |
| 2024 | £1,557,000 | £1,698,000 | £1,257,000 | £3,708,000 | £1,928,000 | 18 / 70 |
| 2023 | £2,253,000 | £2,062,000 | £1,548,000 | £3,703,000 | £2,142,000 | 31 / 152 |
| 2022 | £1,389,000 | £2,489,000 | £2,008,000 | £3,406,000 | £1,952,000 | 57 / 194 |
| 2021 | £1,850,000 | £2,971,000 | £2,105,000 | £4,790,000 | £3,428,000 | 71 / 294 |
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 2025?
Sailors' Society reported total income of £1.48m and reported expenditure of £1.76m for the financial year ending 2025, based on the most recent annual return filed with the Charity Commission.
How efficient is Sailors' Society?
Sailors' Society has a program ratio of 85.3%, meaning that share of its income goes directly to charitable activities. This is higher than 31% of UK Housing charities with income £1M to £10M (sample of 347 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 10 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.
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Registry Information
Other notable Housing charities
Major UK charities in the same primary sector, drawn from the curated priority cohort.
Trustees
Also governs 1 other charity
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
- 9 November 2026
- Methodology
- How metrics are calculated