Support for those affected by P&O Ferries
In the wake of the devastating job losses announcement by P&O Ferries, the Dover community is coming together to offer a wide range of support to help all those affected. Whether you are a former employee, family member or friend, help is at hand.
We'll be regularly updating this page with information and advice, including:
- Job opportunities in the maritime and port industries if you want to retain your seafaring skills
- Job opportunities ashore in allied sectors including travel, transport, and hospitality
- Opportunities to retrain and acquire new skills
- Practical help with finance and benefits to see you through redundancy
- Support for coping with redundancy, and wider support for families
Recruiting now!
Many local businesses and organisations are recruiting now. In some cases, there are offers of guaranteed interviews for former P&O Ferries employees. Click on the links below for current vacancies:
Training & Education
Jobs & Support Fair - 27 April - St Mary's Parish Centre, Dover
Whether you're looking for another job at sea, re-training for a new career, thinking about going back to college, or brushing up on job seeking skills, come along to the Seafarers' Jobs & Support Fair at St Mary's Parish Centre in Dover on Wednesday, 27 April (10am to 4pm).
As well as a whole host of local employers looking to recruit, we'll also have a wide range of support available to anyone recently made redundant, from money and benefits advice, to support for families. We'll even the Kent Health Roadshow to check that you're looking after yourself at this stressful time.
Employability Progammes
Dover District Council runs two free employability programmes for local people who are out of work or in temporary, insecure work.
Based in Aylesham, ASPIRE is a flexible programme for 18-65 year olds to help boost health and wellbeing, skills and opportunities for employment. Activities include cooking, gardening, wellbeing and exercise sessions, accredited courses, 1-2-1 advice on employment and from NHS One You health advisors.
Acquire is a unique programme that provides employability support to 18-25 year olds who live within the Dover district. The Acquire project can provide free advice, support and training through the Acquire employability ladder; drop-in hubs are located in Dover, Deal and Aylesham.
Kent Together (KCC)
Kent Together from Kent County Council is here to help you find the support that's right for you, from advice on employment, financial advice and support, housing, and paying for food and other essentials.
The Seafarers' Charity - UK Maritime Anchor Fund
The Seafarers’ Charity’s UK Maritime Anchor Fund supports working age UK merchant seafarers. The Fund is now open for applications for those impacted by the P&O Ferries redundancies. The Fund will support seafarers through financial help, advice, relationship counselling and mental health and wellbeing support and counselling.
Seafarers Advice & Information Line (SAIL)
Citizens Advice for anyone who's ever worked at sea. Contact SAIL for free help with benefits, money worries and much more. Telephone: 0800 160 1842 (1000-1600 Monday to Friday).
Coping with redundancy
Being made redundant, especially without warning, is a real shock. You'll have many questions, and may not know where to turn. But there are people on hand to help you with your immediate concerns, from paying the bills to finding your way through the benefits system.