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?
Meet the Team
🩺 Meet Damian – Deputy Clinical Manager
High-quality care relies on strong clinical leadership and attention to detail.
As Deputy Clinical Manager, Damian supports the clinical oversight of the home, ensuring care is safe, effective and tailored to each resident’s needs.
Go to Damian for:
• Clinical care and quality assurance
• Care planning and risk management
• Staff clinical support and guidance
• Clinical questions or concerns
Damian works closely with the care team and residents to maintain high standards and promote best practice across the home.
Together, we’re here to support our residents every step of the way.
#MeetTheTeam #ClinicalLeadership #DeputyManager #QualityCare #ResidentWellbeing
Jan 30
🏠 Meet Alice – Registered Home Manager
A strong home starts with clear leadership and a genuine commitment to residents’ wellbeing.
As Registered Home Manager, Alice has overall responsibility for how the home is run day to day, ensuring residents receive safe, compassionate and person-centred care.
Go to Alice for:
• Overall management of the home
• Care standards and service delivery
• Safeguarding and governance
• Compliments, concerns or escalation
Alice works closely with residents, relatives and staff to ensure the home is well-led, welcoming and continuously improving.
Together, we’re here to support our residents every step of the way.
#MeetTheTeam #RegisteredManager #Leadership #CareQuality #ResidentFocused
Jan 29
🌟 What’s On at Belvedere House – February 🌟
There’s lots to look forward to this February at Belvedere House!
Please take a moment to have a look at the posters displayed around the building, which highlight all the activities, events and goings-on planned for the month ahead.
Whether you fancy something social, creative, or just a chance to enjoy good company, we hope there’s something for everyone. 😊
If you have any questions or would like to know more about any of the activities, please speak to a member of the team – we’re always happy to help.
We look forward to sharing another lovely month with you all 💙
#BelvedereHouse #WhatsOn #FebruaryEvents #CommunityLife #ResidentActivities #TogetherAtBelvedere
Jan 28
A gorgeous afternoon at Belvedere House 🌸
Some of our ladies got stuck into a flower arranging session, choosing their blooms, chatting away and creating some really beautiful displays.
Lots of smiles, laughter and creativity on show and the rooms are looking brighter already 💐
#BelvedereHouse #FlowerArranging #ResidentActivities #CreativeMoments #MakingMemories #CareHomeLife #SmilesAllRound
Jan 26
✨ Groovy vibes all round! ✨
We stepped back in time for our 1970’s themed day, and it was a real hit with residents and staff alike 🕺💃
The day was packed with fun, including a 70’s quiz and a brilliant recreation of the classic TV game show Play Your Cards Right, originally hosted by the legendary Bruce Forsyth. Our version brought plenty of laughs, friendly competition and nostalgia, with everyone keen to guess whether the next card would be higher… or lower! 🃏
To top it all off, residents enjoyed a delicious 70’s-inspired menu, featuring much-loved classics that sparked lots of memories and lively conversation around the tables 🍽️
A huge thank you to the team for making the day so special – and to our residents for embracing the theme and joining in with such enthusiasm. Nice to see you… to see you nice! ✨
#1970sThemeDay #70sVibes #PlayYourCardsRight #BruceForsyth #CareHomeLife #ResidentActivities #MakingMemories #FunAndFriendship #ThrowbackDay #TeamEffort
Jan 25
🖍️ Moments that matter 🖍️
This lovely photo captures Lydia, one of our nurses, spending quiet, quality time with a resident while they enjoyed some colouring together.
It’s these unhurried moments of companionship that sit at the heart of what we do, taking the time to talk, listen and simply be present. Activities like colouring can be calming, support focus and creativity, and most importantly, create opportunities for meaningful connection.
A small moment, but one that speaks volumes about the care and kindness shown every day 💙
#CompassionateCare #MomentsThatMatter #ResidentWellbeing #TeamWestonAcres
Jan 23
🎨 Creativity, colour and connection at Belvedere House 🎨
Our residents recently enjoyed a relaxing and creative bottle sand art session with one of our Health and Wellbeing Specialists, Daisy.
Activities like this aren’t just about creating something beautiful (although the results were fantastic!) — they also support wellbeing by encouraging mindfulness, fine motor skills and social connection. It was lovely to see residents chatting, laughing and expressing their creativity in such a calm and supportive setting.
A big thank you to Daisy for leading such an engaging session, and well done to our residents for their wonderful creations 💛
#HealthAndWellbeing #ResidentActivities #CreativeWellbeing #BelvedereHouse #LaterLifeLiving
Jan 22
It was a pleasure to welcome the trustees of Age Concern Banstead to our training room last week for their strategic planning day.
We’re always happy to support local organisations doing such important work in our community, and it’s great to see the space being used for collaboration, reflection, and forward planning.
Thank you for choosing to spend the day with us – we hope the discussions were productive and inspiring.
#Community #LocalCharity #StrategicPlanning #WorkingTogether #Banstead #SupportingOurCommunity #Trustees #Collaboration #ageconcern
Jan 21
