Help us make a difference
Be part of our mission
For 160 years, the Royal Alfred Seafarers’ Society has been a safe haven for former seafarers and their spouses or partners – ensuring they receive the care, dignity, and respect they deserve.
As a registered charity, we rely on the generosity of individuals, families, and organisations to continue our vital work.
By supporting us, you become part of a proud legacy of care and compassion. Whether through a donation, legacy gift, volunteering, or sponsorship, your contribution helps us continue our mission and make life better for those who once served at sea.
donate today
Give back to those who’ve served
Every donation, no matter the size, makes a real difference.
Whether navigating stormy waters or working tirelessly behind the scenes, the men and women of the Royal Navy, Merchant Navy, and wider maritime community have played a vital role in our nation’s history. Now in their later years, they deserve the same dedication and care they once gave in service.
Make a one-off or regular donation and help us continue to provide exceptional care, companionship, and community.
Leave a legacy
A gift that lasts a lifetime
Leaving a gift in your will is a powerful way to continue your values of care, service, and support.
Many assume legacy gifts must be large – but every contribution, no matter the size, has a lasting impact. Your support helps us to maintain and enhance our services, improve facilities, and ensure future generations of seafarers have a safe and welcoming place to call home.
By choosing to remember Royal Alfred, you help safeguard our mission for years to come.
To discuss leaving a legacy, please call 01737 353763 or email enquiries@royalalfred.org.uk
Volunteer with us
Enrich lives, including your own
Volunteers are the heartbeat of our home – bringing joy, energy, and friendship to life at Belvedere House.
Whether it’s a few hours a week or occasional support, you can brighten lives and bring genuine companionship to residents.
Did you know?
- 93% of volunteers say they enjoy their experience
- 90% feel they’ve made a difference
- 77% say volunteering has improved their wellbeing
(source: YouGov for NCVO)
Ways you can get involved:
- Befriending & social engagement – Chat, share stories, or simply be a friendly face
- Activity & event support – Help with crafts, music sessions, and outings
- Skills-based volunteering – Use your professional skills to support fundraising, IT, admin, or estates
- Community engagement – Build stronger ties with local schools, groups, and our neighbours
Find out more about volunteering by calling 01737 360106 or emailing careers@royalalfred.org.uk
Sponsorship & fundraising
Making a meaningful impact
From funding a garden bench and sponsoring a major project to organising a community fundraiser, your support helps us continue delivering exceptional care.
Whether you’re an individual, group, or company, there are lots of ways to get involved.
Ways to support us:
- Corporate sponsorship – Partner with us to fund a service, facility, or community project
- Fundraising events – Organise your own event or take on a sponsored challenge
- In-kind support – Donate goods, services, or expertise
Every gift and gesture helps. Get in touch to explore current sponsorship and fundraising opportunities.
Talk with us about sponsorship by calling 01737 353763 or emailing enquiries@royalalfred.org.uk
Thanks to our seafaring and community partners
We’re proud to work alongside a wide range of seafaring and community organisations who help make our work possible – through grants, collaborative projects, in-kind support, and more.
There’s often a gap between what government funding covers and the true cost of providing high-quality care. That’s where grant-making partners play a vital role – helping us ensure that seafarers and their loved ones can access excellent care and subsidised housing, regardless of their means.
We are also grateful to the local organisations who regularly support our work in ways that bring joy and connection to daily life at Royal Alfred.
Thank you for being part of our story.
Ways to get in touch
Your generosity directly supports the lives of our residents – ensuring they receive the care, companionship, and dignity they deserve.
We’d love to hear from you and explore how we can work together.
For legacy enquiries
01737 353763
enquiries@royalalfred.org.uk
For volunteering enquiries
01737 360106 (ask for our recruitment team)
careers@royalalfred.org.uk
For all other enquiries
01737 360106 (ask for our admin team)
welcome@royalalfred.org.uk
Words of appreciation
Real voices, real impact – here’s what people say about working with us:
Such a rewarding experience.
Volunteering at the Royal Alfred was such a rewarding experience. It was great to see the difference we could make… the warm welcome from staff and residents made the day even more special.
Maggie, Bytes Software Services
A donation in her memory.
My mother passed away at the end of November. We could not have wished for a better place for her to spend the last seven years of her life. Thank you so very much for all you have done to make her life so comfortable. Please accept this cheque as a donation in her memory.
Family member
A chance to give back.
Fundraising is my way of honouring our residents and giving something back to the generation who have paved the way for us.
Damian, Deputy Clinical Manager,
Royal Alfred
🎶 Lest We Forget Concert at Belvedere House 🎶
We were thrilled to welcome the charity Lest We Forget for a lively and uplifting concert at Belvedere House.
Residents, families, and staff had a fantastic time singing along, clapping to the music, and enjoying an afternoon full of energy and smiles.
A big thank you to the performers for bringing so much joy to our home and we can’t wait to have you back!
#LestWeForget #BelvedereHouse #LiveMusic #Community
Sep 29
With Thanks to Our Trustees
At The Royal Alfred Seafarers’ Society, we are fortunate to be guided by a dedicated Board of Trustees who give their time, expertise, and wisdom to support our work.
Their stewardship ensures that we remain true to our charitable purpose, uphold our maritime heritage, and continue to provide the highest standards of care for our residents.
We are deeply grateful for their ongoing commitment, guidance, and encouragement, helping us navigate both opportunities and challenges while keeping the welfare of our residents at the heart of every decision.
You can find out more about our Trustees and their backgrounds here: https://royalalfredseafarers.co.uk/about-us/our-trustees/
#RoyalAlfredSeafarersSociety #Trustees #CharityGovernance #MaritimeHeritage #Seafarers #CareCommunity
Sep 28
Honouring Our Maritime Heritage
We are delighted to share that our Care Assistant, Gill, has generously donated some remarkable naval artefacts to the Society: a traditional ship’s wheel and two porthole clocks.
These pieces are a wonderful addition to our home, reflecting the proud maritime history at the heart of The Royal Alfred Seafarers’ Society. They serve as a reminder of the seafaring traditions that bind our community together and honour the generations who have served at sea.
Our sincere thanks to Gill for her thoughtful contribution, which will help us continue to celebrate and preserve our nautical heritage.
#RoyalAlfredSeafarersSociety #MaritimeHeritage #NavalHistory #LifeAtSea #Seafarers #CareCommunity #PreservingHistory #Heritage
Sep 27
A special little visitor to our grounds
While enjoying a walk through our gardens, a family member of one of our residents spotted this beautiful Small Copper butterfly. With its vivid orange wings edged in deep brown, it’s one of the UK’s most eye-catching butterflies, often seen on sunny days in late summer.
Moments like these remind us how lucky we are to be surrounded by nature, and how much joy and calm even the smallest of creatures can bring to residents, families, and staff alike.
Next time you’re visiting, keep an eye out for our wild visitors, and we’d love to hear about any sightings you spot in our gardens too!
#WildlifeInTheGarden #ButterflySpotting #NatureInCare #WellbeingThroughNature #CareHomeLife #SmallCopperButterfly #LifeAtRoyalAlfred
Sep 26
A huge thank you to everyone who baked, bought and supported our cake sale on Tuesday. Together we raised an amazing £231! 🎉
This will be added to the fundraising total from our recent skydive. Your generosity means so much, and every slice really did make a difference. 💙
#Fundraising #CommunitySupport #ThankYou
Sep 25
A very special birthday celebration at The Royal Alfred Seafarers` Society today!
One of our residents enjoyed their birthday surrounded by family, complete with a delicious homemade cake created by our talented catering team.
It’s always a joy to see residents and loved ones sharing these moments together – and our team takes real pride in making each celebration feel personal and memorable.
#CareHomeLife #BirthdayCelebration #TeamWork #TheRoyalAlfred
Sep 24
Early autumn mornings at Belvedere House
There’s something truly special about the way the first light of the day filters through the autumn leaves here at Belvedere House. The golden sunshine, the turning colours, and the peaceful start to the day remind us of the beauty in every season.
It’s in these quiet moments that we appreciate not just the surroundings, but the sense of calm and comfort that Belvedere House offers to all who call it home.
#BelvedereHouse #AutumnMornings #CareWithCompassion #TheRoyalAlfredSeafarersSociety
Sep 23
🍰⏰ It’s nearly time! ⏰🍰
Tomorrow is our Fundraising Bring & Buy Cake Sale
We’ll have a table full of delicious homemade bakes and sweet treats – and we’d love for you to come along, enjoy a slice (or two!), and support a great cause.
Every cake, cookie, and cupcake makes a difference – whether you’re baking, buying, or both.
See you tomorrow for cake, community, and fundraising fun! 💙
#Fundraising #CakeSale #BringAndBuy #Community #CharityEvent #HomemadeBakes #SweetTreats #TogetherWeCan
Sep 22
