Established in 1843 as the Seamen’s Mission of the Methodist Church, the Queen Victoria Seamen’s Rest (QVSR) has a long history of serving those in need, both on land and at sea.
Our accommodation in Poplar is well established and provides a safe haven for up to 174 active and retired seafarers, ex-servicemen and other homeless men.
As an island nation with over 95% of our everyday goods coming to our shores by sea we are also committed to providing first class port based welfare services to active seafarers visiting our shores. Our seafarers’ centres in the ports of Tilbury, DP World London Gateway, Felixstowe, Bristol & Immingham provide a warm welcome and pastoral support for those who have spent many months at sea and are far from home.
Accommodation
As part of our commitment to help those who move on from our service to maintain their independence, in 2021 we began a three year pilot project funded by the National Lottery Community Fund to provide an Aftercare Service. The aim is to assist residents through the transition from QVSR to their new home and help them settle into community life. A lot of factors can lead to an individual failing to thrive and return to life on the streets. We believe that continued aftercare support will help them successfully manage their new tenancy, thereby reducing cyclical homelessness.
Seafarers
We also act as an agent for Shipwrecked Mariners assisting resident and non-resident seafarers and their dependents with individual maritime grants.
Ex-Service
Funding from the Royal British Legion and the Veterans Accommodation Fund has supported the creation of 23 en-suite rooms at QVSR which are reserved specifically for the use of ex-servicemen.
Homeless
Seafarer Centres
Our aim is to work in partnership with other Mission Societies and port authorities to raise awareness of the valuable job seafarers do and to engage with the local community to provide a welcoming environment whilst they are in port.
After spending as many as 9 months at sea our seafarers centres are designed to be a place where seafarers can feel “at home”, where they can catch up with family and friends via the internet, relax in comfort with music & TV entertainment, purchase refreshments and souvenirs, and socialise with other crew members.
QVSR
London Tilbury
londontilbury@qvsr.org.uk
QVSR London Gateway
qvsrlondongateway@qvsr.org.uk
QVSR
Felixstowe
qvsrfelixstowe@qvsr.org.uk
QVSR
Immingham
qvsrhumber@qvsr.org.uk
QVSR
Bristol
qvsrbristol@qvsr.org.uk
QVSR Chaplaincy
QVSR has worked in the Port of London since 1843 providing chaplaincy services to seafarers and their families. In recent times we have been expanding our chaplaincy operation and we now have chaplains based in Bristol and London Tilbury. Chaplains provide pastoral support and welfare services both onshore at the seafarers’ centres and aboard the ships.
Support QVSR
QVSR News
Where will you be on Christmas Day?
Launching our “Christmas gifts for seafarers” annual appeal.
Many seafarers will be at sea thousands of miles from their home & families to bring us over 95% of the goods we use everyday including our Christmas presents!!
Help us to make their Christmas special and say thank you for the vital role they play in our global economy. Click here to find out more.
The QVSR Rev’d David Roe Annual Lecture
The Rt Hon The Lord Beith delivers our 3rd Annual QVSR Rev’d David Roe Lecture.
“I was a stranger and you welcomed
me in” – a challenge for faith and politics.
180th Anniversary Celebration
An afternoon of fun and laughter with special guests Su Pollard and Lord Michael Cashman, alongside Pearly Kings and Queens for a good old East End sing-along!