Admin Assistant & Welfare Worker, The Fishermen’s Mission

In my opinion, the Fairwinds mental health provision in Cornwall has been one of the most important additions to the support network for fishermen and their families. The service has made a massive difference to those that have accessed it. The feedback has been unanimously positive from the fishermen I have been working with and they have also been willing publicly, via social media, to share that they have accessed it and recommended it to others.

Dr Matthew Boulter : GP Atlantic Medical Group

I am GP in West Cornwall and I won the Who Cares Wins Best Doctor category in recognition of my establishment/involvement/support of a variety of local initiatives and charities. One that I am currently supporting and championing is Fairwinds which is being funded to improve the health and wellbeing of our local fishing and seafaring community.

The Fairwinds mental health service is proving to be popular and successful.  One fisherman who was seen said “If this service was here 15 years ago then two of my friends would still be here” – they both took their own lives.

Charles Blyth NFFO Risk, Safety and Training Lead

I have worked with Ceri over the last year now in the common effort to improve mental health and welfare within the fishing industry. Ceri has developed an excellent rapport with fisherman and is seen as someone who is approachable and trustworthy within the industry. Ceris drive to help these people has been so valuable and at this moment in time, much needed. The event that I worked with Ceri in March  2023 was a sell-out event, demonstrating the need for the vital mental health work that Ceri leads on within the fishing communities of Cornwall.

Sarah Ready, NUTFA

I work with a lot of fishermen with mental health difficulties, and I wish your fantastic service extended beyond Cornwall. The southwest are very lucky to have your expertise and professionalism. You are a credit to the fishing industry and an example of what can be achieved with the right focus and passion. In my role with NUFTA – I hear all the time about how much work you do on a day to day basis to ensure the fishing community feel heard and supported during their ongoing battles with the regulations and feelings of overwhelm and decline in Mental Health due to the ongoing enforcement.

Thank you. About three years ago l was going through a very tough period in my life, I was suffering from anxiety, PTSD and depression, Ceri was a massive help to my recovery gave me the words I needed to hear and gave me courage to keep going, I am now in a much better place, we need more people like Ceri in this world.

Ceri’s an amazing lady. A fire sunk my boat. Afterwards I knew I had to talk about it and what was going on in my head, but in this industry you cant show weakness or you’re thought of as weak. I’ve recommended it to other people; once came out nearly in tears, someone asked me what was wrong so I told them. You have to talk about things, not bottle it up. If not I’d have had a drink, probably become self-destructive.

Ceri has provided such positive help, I can’t begin to thank her enough. Having the patience to listen, whilst asking questions that made me think long and hard and were at times difficult to answer, these skills in my opinion have helped my mental wellbeing no end.

Ceri has been very clear, helpful, friendly and empathic in her approach to explaining the difficulties of my own mindset. She has been setting, and supporting me, in achieving my goals through teaching techniques that have set me on my right chosen path. Thank you, Ceri…