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.

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

A group of six people wearing gloves stand outdoors by a grassy wetland area on a sunny day, smiling at the camera. Some hold tools and baskets, suggesting they are working on a conservation or clean-up project.
Five people stand on a sunny lawn with large black tubs, wearing casual clothes and gloves, surrounded by green trees and palm trees, appearing to do outdoor clean-up or gardening work.
A group of elderly people, some holding poppy wreaths, stand together outdoors by a sign for The Parish Church of Saint Peter. One person is in a wheelchair. Autumn leaves are on the ground and trees in the background.
A group of people, including firefighters, elderly individuals (two in wheelchairs), and others, pose in front of a fire truck on a paved area outside a building, with trees and cloudy sky in the background.
Three people standing in front of a Union flag banner marking 80 years since D-Day
A woman and a man stand smiling in front of a blue minibus parked outside a building. The woman wears a lanyard and headscarf, while the man wears a uniform with epaulets. The weather is sunny.
An elderly woman in a wheelchair looks at a necklace being handed to her by a vendor at a table displaying various pieces of jewelry in a well-lit room.
A small park with wooden benches and log seats sits on grass near a path, with modern houses and trees in the background under a mostly cloudy sky.

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.

See our supporters

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:

    Portrait of Maggie, a volunteer at Royal Alfred

    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

    Portrait of Damian Walicki, Deputy Clinical Manager at Royal Alfred

    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

    Life aboard the Royal Alfred

    Anchored in community and full of heart. Follow us on Facebook or Instagram for a window into life on the Weston Acres estate.

    royalalfredseafarers

    👀✨ Sneak peek...
    A wall filled with wisdom. 💙

    Residents and staff have been sharing their favourite life lessons, advice and reflections, helping us create something very special at Royal Alfred.

    This Sunday, some special guests will be joining us to discover the display and share a morning of conversation and connection.

    The words themselves are staying under wraps for now... 🤫

    More to come soon!

    #RoyalAlfred #WordsOfWisdom #SneakPeek #ComingSoon #LifeAtRoyalAlfred #CommunitySpirit #CareHomeLife #MakingConnections

    View Instagram post by royalalfredseafarers

    Oct 10

    Open post by royalalfredseafarers with ID 18089933009242084
    👀✨ Sneak peek... A wall filled with wisdom. 💙 Residents and staff have been sharing their favourite life lessons, advice and reflections, helping us create something very special at Royal Alfred. This Sunday, some special guests will be joining us to discover the display and share a morning of conversation and connection. The words themselves are staying under wraps for now... 🤫 More to come soon! #RoyalAlfred #WordsOfWisdom #SneakPeek #ComingSoon #LifeAtRoyalAlfred #CommunitySpirit #CareHomeLife #MakingConnections

    royalalfredseafarers

    🍂 A lovely October awaits at Royal Alfred 🍂

    A new month means lots more to enjoy!

    🌿 Days out and new places to explore
    🎨 Getting creative
    🎶 Music and entertainment
    🐾 Cuddles and companionship with Bailey
    🧠 Quizzes and games
    💆 A little pampering
    💪 Keeping active
    🎃 And some spooky fun to finish the month!

    We’re also looking forward to the National Seafarers Service at St Paul’s Cathedral, a special opportunity to come together with the wider seafaring and veterans community and honour the maritime heritage so close to Royal Alfred’s heart. ⚓

    For us, activities aren’t simply about keeping busy. They’re about friendship, choice, laughter, staying connected and having something to look forward to. 😊

    Thank you to our fantastic Health & Wellbeing Team for bringing so much variety and joy to life at Royal Alfred.

    Bring on October! 🍂💙

    #RoyalAlfred #LifeAtRoyalAlfred #OctoberActivities #CareHomeLife #Seafarers #Veterans #Wellbeing #CareHomeActivities #DementiaCare #MakingEveryDayCount

    View Instagram post by royalalfredseafarers

    Sep 29

    Open post by royalalfredseafarers with ID 17923856991203145
    🍂 A lovely October awaits at Royal Alfred 🍂 A new month means lots more to enjoy! 🌿 Days out and new places to explore 🎨 Getting creative 🎶 Music and entertainment 🐾 Cuddles and companionship with Bailey 🧠 Quizzes and games 💆 A little pampering 💪 Keeping active 🎃 And some spooky fun to finish the month! We’re also looking forward to the National Seafarers Service at St Paul’s Cathedral, a special opportunity to come together with the wider seafaring and veterans community and honour the maritime heritage so close to Royal Alfred’s heart. ⚓ For us, activities aren’t simply about keeping busy. They’re about friendship, choice, laughter, staying connected and having something to look forward to. 😊 Thank you to our fantastic Health & Wellbeing Team for bringing so much variety and joy to life at Royal Alfred. Bring on October! 🍂💙 #RoyalAlfred #LifeAtRoyalAlfred #OctoberActivities #CareHomeLife #Seafarers #Veterans #Wellbeing #CareHomeActivities #DementiaCare #MakingEveryDayCount

    royalalfredseafarers

    💙 Right care. Right place. A more supported journey.

    We’re proud to see our CEO, Dr Peter Inkpen, featured in @thecarer_uk , discussing how we can better support people living with #dementia as they move from hospital into the next stage of their care.

    For residents and their loved ones, leaving hospital can sometimes bring uncertainty as well as relief. Having the right care, the right environment and compassionate people around you can make all the difference.

    At Royal Alfred, we see every day how much a calm, welcoming and person-centred approach matters. Care isn`t simply about meeting someone`s needs. It`s about knowing the person, respecting their individuality and helping them feel safe, valued and at home. 💙

    We`re pleased to see this important conversation being shared with the wider care community, and thank The Carer for featuring the article.

    #RoyalAlfred #DementiaCare #CareWithCompassion #PersonCentredCare #DementiaAwareness #SocialCare #CareHomeLife #OlderPeopleCare

    View Instagram post by royalalfredseafarers

    Sep 28

    Open post by royalalfredseafarers with ID 18221460274338112
    💙 Right care. Right place. A more supported journey. We’re proud to see our CEO, Dr Peter Inkpen, featured in @thecarer_uk , discussing how we can better support people living with #dementia as they move from hospital into the next stage of their care. For residents and their loved ones, leaving hospital can sometimes bring uncertainty as well as relief. Having the right care, the right environment and compassionate people around you can make all the difference. At Royal Alfred, we see every day how much a calm, welcoming and person-centred approach matters. Care isn't simply about meeting someone's needs. It's about knowing the person, respecting their individuality and helping them feel safe, valued and at home. 💙 We're pleased to see this important conversation being shared with the wider care community, and thank The Carer for featuring the article. #RoyalAlfred #DementiaCare #CareWithCompassion #PersonCentredCare #DementiaAwareness #SocialCare #CareHomeLife #OlderPeopleCare