Three maritime charities have joined forces to help seafarers get something that, for many, has been out of reach: a formal diagnosis of a neurodivergent condition. NeurodiversAtSea, the Seafarers Hospital Society and The Seafarers’ Charity have launched an industry-first pilot that pays for diagnostic assessments for UK-based seafarers who think they may be neurodivergent.
The pilot has an initial fund of £9,761. It covers assessments for ADHD, autism, dyslexia, dyspraxia, dyscalculia and other specific learning differences, and in some cases the cost of getting to appointments too. The Seafarers Hospital Society distributes the grants on NeurodiversAtSea’s behalf.
Why a diagnosis matters at sea
A diagnosis is not a label for its own sake. For many adults it brings clarity, and an explanation for difficulties they have struggled with for years. In practical terms, it can open the door to adjustments at work and in exams: extra time in certificate examinations, written instructions alongside spoken ones, or changes to how appraisals are carried out.
But getting one is hard. In parts of the UK, NHS waiting lists for an initial appointment for some common neurodivergent conditions can run to three years. For seafarers the problem is worse. Long periods away make it difficult to keep appointments, respond to letters or stay on a waiting list at all, and private assessments are expensive.
Employers rarely fill the gap. In NeurodiversAtSea’s research, only 2 of 118 people who answered our survey said their employer had provided any help to access a formal assessment or diagnosis, and 62% said they received no specific support as a neurodivergent employee. Up to 15% of the UK population is estimated to be neurodivergent.
Neurodivergent individuals face countless barriers preventing them from having a fulfilling career at sea.
Three charities, one aim
The pilot brings together the expertise of three organisations. NeurodiversAtSea developed the scheme with the Seafarers Hospital Society, which manages the grants, and The Seafarers’ Charity has helped to fund the work.
Diversity, equity and inclusion are integral to a healthy and happy workplace.
This important new initiative will enable recognition and support for neurodiverse conditions.
The scheme is confidential, and safeguarding is built into how it works. Because it is a pilot, we hope it will also show how much need there is, and what difference a diagnosis makes to seafarers’ working lives.
How to find out more
If you are a UK-based working seafarer and think the scheme could help you, contact us and we will explain the next steps. If you are not sure whether to seek an assessment at all, our free screening tools and our guide to getting a diagnosis, including how to fit an assessment around life at sea, are good places to start.
