OUR SOCIETY – 16O YEARS OF CARE
Honouring our heritage, welcoming everyone
For 160 years, the Royal Alfred Seafarers’ Society has been a safe haven for those who dedicated their lives to the sea. Founded to care for retired and infirm seafarers, we’ve evolved into a specialist care provider, offering expert support in a home filled with history, warmth, and companionship.
While our maritime heritage remains at the heart of who we are, we warmly welcome all who seek a supportive, caring, and fulfilling place to call home. Whether you’re a former seafarer, a seafaring dependant, a veteran, or a member of the local community, you’ll be valued, respected, and embraced as part of our extended family.
Our charitable objectives
We’re proud to support seafarers – and those connected to the sea – whatever their circumstances. Through excellent care, high-quality facilities, and maritime camaraderie, we’re a place where strong friendships thrive.
What we offer »
What we offer
- Nursing, dementia, and respite care
- Subsidised sheltered housing
Who benefits »
Who benefits
- Seafarers who receive financial support across all care types
- Retired seafarers and their partners living in subsidised sheltered housing
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Veterans may also be eligible – please get in touch to find out more
Made possible thanks to »
Made possible thanks to
- Private donations, legacies and community fundraising
- Grants and top up fees from our seafaring partners
- The voluntary commitment of our trustees as we deliver our strategy: “Thrive – a Passage to 2035”
Our impact
With generations of service under our belt, we’re proud of the difference the Society makes every single day. Our 2024 Impact Report brings that story to life – sharing the people, progress, and partnerships that shaped another remarkable year.
Did you know?
- In 2024, we delivered nearly 500,000 hours of care to the residents in our Belvedere House Care Home
- We gave nearly 7,300 days of support to tenants at Weston Acres Sheltered Housing
- In total, we supported 118 beneficiaries: 95 residents and 23 sheltered housing tenants
Hours of care
Days of support
Beneficiaries supported
The role our people play
Exceptional care starts with exceptional people.
We’re guided by an expert Board of Trustees, each bringing knowledge, experience, and unwavering commitment. And our ship is steered by a highly skilled Senior Management Team, led by our dynamic Chief Executive.
But it’s our frontline teams who truly make the difference – providing daily care, comfort, and companionship to our residents, tenants, and their families. Their dedication is at the heart of everything we do.
Our founding story
Before the Society was founded in 1865, life after sea was often short, bleak, and unsupported.
This timeline traces how public awareness grew – and how compassion turned into action, giving rise to the first Belvedere House, the namesake of our care home today.
The Chatham Chest
Queen Elizabeth I authorises a fund to support wounded or disabled seamen, stored in a great timber chest at Chatham Dockyard. It marks one of the earliest efforts to care for those injured in service.
Changing Tides
The Chatham Chest merges with the Royal Greenwich Hospital and is eventually dissolved. Merchant seamen, often excluded from naval support, are left without protection.
Post-War Poverty
The end of the Napoleonic Wars sees 125,000 seamen laid off. In the absence of state support, private individuals begin founding charities to care for sick, injured, and elderly seafarers.
A Call to Action
On 17 July, a landmark meeting at Mansion House in London calls for the creation of a hospital for “worn-out and disabled merchant seamen.” The motion is passed with unanimous support.
The Royal Alfred Seafarers’ Society is Born
The Society opens its first home for retired seafarers at Belvedere House in Erith. A new chapter begins – one of compassion, camaraderie, and care.
The first 150 years
In 2015, to mark our 150th anniversary, we published Home From Sea – a beautifully researched and richly illustrated book charting the Society’s remarkable journey from its inception. Largely researched and written by John Allen, it brings our story to life, from 1865 to the present day.
Words of appreciation
Real voices, real impact – here’s what people say about our work
It’s a privilege to serve at Royal Alfred.
The sea has been good to me, and I’d like to give something back. I can’t think of a more deserving maritime cause.
Captain Adrian McCourt MNM
Trustee
It’s my great privilege.
My rewarding career in the Royal Navy was made by fabulous British seafarers. It is my great privilege to continue to support mariners and their loved ones at Royal Alfred as they continue their voyages.
David Dominy, MA rcds
Chief Executive Royal Alfred, Captain Royal Navy (retired)
I will always remember.
I had the pleasure of meeting The Princess Royal at my first AGM since joining the Charity in July 2023 and I was lucky enough to introduce my group to her. It is something I will always remember.
Lindsay Hood
Admin Manager
Ready to learn more or get involved?
Last friday we said a heartfelt goodbye to Catalin, who is moving on after nearly ten years of dedicated service to the Royal Alfred Seafarers’ Society.
Catalin first joined us as part of the Housekeeping Team, where his hard work, kindness, and reliability quickly made him a valued member of the Belvedere House family. Over the years, he took on new challenges and grew into his most recent role as our Driver, ensuring our residents were taken safely and comfortably on all of their outings and day trips.
Whether it was a seaside visit, a garden centre run, or a simple scenic drive, Catalin’s calm manner and genuine care made every journey special. Our residents will miss his friendly smile, steady presence, and the confidence of knowing he was behind the wheel.
We are incredibly grateful for everything he has contributed over the past decade.
Thank you, Catalin and you leave with our warmest wishes for the future.
#BelvedereHouse #RoyalAlfredSeafarersSociety #ThankYouCatalin #Dedication #CareCommunity #ResidentTrips #TeamAppreciation #Woodmansterne
Nov 3
🎃 Halloween at Belvedere House 👻
We’ve had a wonderfully spooky week at Belvedere House as residents and staff got into the spirit of Halloween. The home was filled with pumpkins, laughter and just the right amount of mischief!
Our fantastic team took part in a fancy-dress competition, and they did not disappoint; everything from classic witches to brilliantly creative costumes made an appearance. The residents absolutely loved seeing everyone dressed up, and choosing a winner was no easy task!
In the kitchen, Matt and the team treated everyone to delicious Halloween cupcakes, beautifully decorated and almost too good to eat. And for those with a serious sweet tooth, we served special triple-chocolate cheesecakes that went down a storm.
A huge thank you to everyone who helped make the celebrations so memorable. Events like these bring so much joy to our residents and showcase the wonderful community spirit here at Belvedere House.
🧡 Until next year… Happy Halloween! 🎃
#BelvedereHouse #RoyalAlfredSeafarersSociety #Halloween2025 #CareHomeLife #ResidentActivities #TeamSpirit #FancyDressFun #Cupcakes #TripleChocolateCheesecake #CommunityCare #Woodmansterne
Nov 2
📅 Here’s a look at our November activities at Belvedere House!
From quizzes, cinema nights, poetry, arts & crafts, pamper sessions and trips out, through to memory cafés, therapy animals, and coffee mornings — there’s always something happening.
We’re proud to offer such a full and varied programme for our residents, making sure there’s something for everyone to enjoy each week.
#BelvedereHouse #RoyalAlfredSeafarers #CareHomeLife #Veterans #ActivitiesProgramme #OlderPeoplesCare #CommunitySpirit #MakingMemories
Nov 1
🎃 A Huge Thank You! 🎃
A massive thank you to everyone who took part in our Halloween fundraiser! Your generosity made it a fantastic success, and we’re so grateful for your support.
We’ll be contacting the winners very soon so keep an eye on your messages!
Thanks again to all who got involved!
#Halloween #Fundraiser #ThankYou #Community #TeamSpirit #Grateful
Oct 31
We were thrilled to welcome Veronica (Vice Chair of the Grants Committee) and Michelle (Senior Grants Officer) from Women`s Royal Naval Service Benevolent Trust to Belvedere House recently!
They spent time meeting some of the amazing WRNS residents and tenants they help support through their generous grants and took a tour of our newly modernised home with our CEO, and Home Manager. It was wonderful to show them the improvements and the positive impact their support has on our residents’ lives.
A huge thank you to WRNS BT for their continued support, their grants make a real difference here at The Royal Alfred Seafarers’ Society.
#BelvedereHouse #WRNSBT #RoyalAlfredSeafarers #VeteranSupport #CommunityMatters #SupportingOurVeterans #MakingADifference #ResidentWellbeing #GrantsSupport
Oct 30
Autumn is here… which means one thing – Pumpkin Spice season!
Come and warm up with our Pumpkin Spiced Cappuccinos, perfectly topped with fluffy whipped cream.
Available now from the Bar for just £2.60. 🍁
The perfect cosy treat for these chilly days!
#PumpkinSpice #CappuccinoLovers #AutumnVibes #SeasonalTreat #CoffeeTime #CosySeason #WhippedCreamDream
Oct 29
💙 A Heartfelt Thank You 💙
We were deeply touched to receive this beautiful note from the family of one of our residents. They expressed their gratitude for the care, compassion, and support our team provided, especially in her final days.
Caring for our residents is at the heart of everything we do at The Royal Alfred Seafarers’ Society, and it means the world to us to know that our efforts bring comfort, dignity, and reassurance to both residents and their families.
To our incredible team: your kindness, patience, and dedication make moments like these possible. You truly make a difference every single day.
#CompassionateCare #RoyalAlfreds #ThankYou #MakingADifference
Oct 28
Volunteer Treasurer – Help Keep Our Bar Thriving! 🍻
The Royal Alfred Club is looking for a Volunteer Treasurer to help manage the finances of our lively bar. If you’re organised, reliable, and enjoy working with numbers, this is a great way to support a friendly local hub.
What you’ll do:
Track invoices, payments & receipts 🧾
Reconcile the bank account & maintain spreadsheets 💻
Work closely with the Bar Manager on stock & pricing 🍺
Prepare half-yearly & yearly financial summaries 📊
Attend club meetings to update on finances 🗣️
Who we’re looking for:
Detail-oriented & organised ✅
Comfortable with Excel & basic finance skills 💡
Reliable, committed, and happy to be part of a friendly team 🤝
Why volunteer?
Be at the heart of a historic bar and help it run smoothly 🏴☠️
Gain experience in financial management in a supportive environment 🌟
Flexible role with a clear structure and manageable workload ⏱️
📩 Interested? Contact k.goddard@royalalfred.org.uk to get involved and help keep our bar thriving!
#volunteer #volunteering #volunteersmakeadifference
Oct 27
