All Taken Care Of
“I encounter a wide range of issues across the different communities, so being adaptable and knowledgeable about each one is crucial.”
For Louise Liddell, the Mission Area Officer for the Fishermen’s Mission in Southwest Scotland, supporting fishing communities means understanding a challenging way of life.
The places Louise works are shaped by centuries of tradition, skills, and knowledge passed down through generations of fishing families. Some launch from bustling, large ports like Troon or Stranraer. Others set out from remote inlets and tiny coves with only a handful of nearby boats for support when things go wrong.
In both cases, the risks are very real.
A Wide Net of Support for Scotland’s Fishermen
Louise’s work covers a vast area. It stretches across ports, fishing villages, and aquaculture sites. While every location is different, the one thing they have in common is that when something goes wrong, lives can change in an instant.
“I’d not long been in the job when the FV Serinah sunk.”
The Fishermen’s Mission is there for fishermen 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Louise was able to respond quickly—even while finding her feet on the job.
“I provided immediate support to the three young fishermen and their families involved. I now encourage fishermen across the southwest of Scotland to get the training they need to ensure they are as safe as possible when at sea.”
Her work goes beyond emergencies at sea and safety training, too. Most of the people Louise supports won’t make headlines. Even so, she is there for their daily struggles—whether that’s financial hardships, mental health challenges, or recovery from addiction.
“Accessing local services for our clients can be very difficult, and even once referrals are made, things can break down. However, our clients remain engaged with us, so we can continue to strive to help them.”
A Lifeline for Fishermen Facing Hardship
One fisherman that Louise has spent time supporting is James.
James spent decades working at sea, but after a personal loss, he stepped away from fishing to focus on a stable family life.
When a horrific car accident left his partner, Liz, in need of full-time care, everything changed for James. He became her carer, and Louise was there to step up with additional support.
“We helped the family with a referral to Occupational Therapy and ensured they were getting the benefits they were entitled to.”
More than this practical help, Louise has kept James connected to the world he loves.
“James loves to chat about the fishing, which he so clearly loves and misses greatly. Keeping him up to date with news from the local boats means everything to James and helps him through what has been a very difficult time.”
Helping Fishermen Stay Connected and Supported
Fishermen like James rely on support from Louise and all of us at the Fishermen’s Mission. Your support means no one in our fishing communities has to face hardship alone.
Your donation today will give Scotland’s and the rest of the UK’s fishermen real, hands-on support when they need it most.
