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?
🖍️ 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
Today we’re sharing something very special from around Belvedere House ⚓
This beautiful sextant is more than just a naval instrument on display. It was purchased using money left to us in a legacy by a former resident who crossed the bar in 2014 and who is still remembered very fondly by everyone here. Their generosity continues to guide us, quite literally, all these years later.
Throughout Belvedere House, you’ll find naval artefacts like this one. Sextants, paintings, photographs, memorabilia, and keepsakes from a life at sea. They are not decorations chosen at random. They are reminders of service, adventure, loss, friendship, and pride. For our seafaring residents, these objects spark memories of long voyages, shared watches, unfamiliar ports, and a deep connection to the sea that never truly leaves you.
These artefacts help tell their stories. They prompt conversations, laughter, reflection, and sometimes quiet moments of remembrance. They anchor Belvedere House in its naval heritage and ensure that the lives and experiences of those who served are recognised and respected every single day.
We are incredibly grateful for the legacy that allowed this sextant to take pride of place. A lasting tribute to a resident who remains very much part of our community’s story.
#BelvedereHouse #NavalHeritage #SeafaringLives #LifeAtSea #MaritimeHistory #VeteransCommunity #Legacy #AnchoredInHistory #merchantnavy #royalnavy
Jan 20
Sometimes it’s the simplest activities that bring the biggest smiles 🎈
Last week our residents enjoyed a lively game of keeping the balloon up. There was lots of laughter gentle competition and teamwork all round. Activities like this might look light hearted but they play a really important role in daily life.
They help with mobility coordination and balance encourage social connection and most importantly lift everyone’s mood. Shared moments like these build confidence spark conversation and remind us all that fun does not have an age limit.
It is about movement connection and joy and judging by the smiles this one was a hit 💙
#ResidentLife #MeaningfulActivities #Wellbeing #ActiveAgeing #JoyInEveryday #CareHomeLife #MomentsThatMatter 🎈
Jan 19
🐾 A Very Pawsome Visit at Belvedere House 🐾
We were delighted to welcome a very special visitor to Belvedere House this week; Bailey the therapy dog, along with his human dad, Brian 🐶❤️
Bailey is always a huge hit with our residents, who absolutely love seeing him. From gentle cuddles and wagging tails to plenty of smiles and laughter, his visits bring so much joy and comfort to everyone he meets.
A huge thank you to Brian for giving his time and to Bailey for spreading happiness wherever he goes. We can’t wait for your next visit! 🐾✨
#TherapyDog #BelvedereHouse #MomentsThatMatter #Wellbeing #Community
Jan 18
It was great to see Alice, our Registered Home Manager, leading one of our regular residents’ meetings recently.
These meetings are an important part of life here, giving residents the opportunity to share their views, ask questions, and help shape the way we do things. Open conversation, listening, and acting on feedback are central to our approach, and Alice ensures every voice in the room is heard and valued.
Thank you to everyone who attended and contributed so thoughtfully 💬
#ResidentsFirst #ListeningToResidents #ResidentEngagement #OpenCommunication #StrongLeadership #CareHomeLife #QualityCare #TeamWork
Jan 17
Do you remember when we showed you these being made? 🍽️
Earlier this week we shared a video of Kevin giving Sam chef training while they prepared these homemade Thai cod fish cakes — and here’s the finished article, enjoyed by our residents.
A lot of thought goes into our menu planning. Meals are planned well in advance, taking into account residents’ preferences, nutritional balance, dietary needs and variety, as well as giving our kitchen team the time and space to develop new skills and recipes.
By planning ahead and investing in our staff, we’re able to serve fresh, home-cooked meals that residents can look forward to, every single day.
#MenuPlanning #FreshlyPrepared #InvestingInPeople #StaffDevelopment #ResidentFocused #QualityCare #HomemadeWithCare #ProudTeam
Jan 15
