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?
⚓ Young visitors, great conversations and plenty of smiles ☕
As part of National Cadet Week, we were delighted to welcome some special guests to Royal Alfred yesterday.
Over coffee and cake, residents and @SeaCadetsCroydon spent time chatting, sharing stories and discovering just how much different generations can learn from one another.
There was laughter, friendship and some fascinating conversations along the way. 😊
Thank you to our visitors for spending the morning with us and helping create such a memorable event.
💙 Because great conversations have no age limit.
#RoyalAlfred #NationalCadetWeek #IntergenerationalConnections #CommunitySpirit #LifeAtRoyalAlfred #MakingMemories #CareHomeLife
Oct 12
👀✨ 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
Oct 10
☕ Coffee, conversation and appreciation.
Recently, members of our team joined the CEO and leadership team for a relaxed Coffee with the CEO gathering.
It was a chance to say #ThankYou ❤️ to the colleagues who work so hard every day to support our residents, tenants and one another.
🥐 Alongside coffee and pastries, there were plenty of conversations, shared ideas and opportunities for staff to connect with the leadership team in an informal setting.
At Royal Alfred, we believe that listening is just as important as leading. Creating space for open conversations helps us learn from one another and continue building a positive and supportive workplace. 🤗
Thank you to all our wonderful colleagues for everything you do. Your care, commitment and teamwork make a difference every single day. ✨
#RoyalAlfred #TeamRoyalAlfred #StaffAppreciation #CareHomeLife #CareWithCompassion #WorkplaceCulture #HealthcareTeam #LifeAtRoyalAlfred
Oct 9
✨ What does positive ageing look like at Royal Alfred? 🌟
For us, it looks a little like this...
💪 Keeping moving and staying active
🐾 Spending time with our lovely Bailey
🚌 Getting out into the community
🎶 Enjoying music together
😊 Sharing laughter and good company
💙 And, most importantly, continuing to enjoy the things that make life special
As Positive Ageing Week comes to an end, we’re celebrating some of the lovely moments our residents and tenants have shared, from exercise and a visit to the Royal British Legion Hub, to time with Bailey and a musical outing for International Music Day. 🎵
Ageing positively isn’t about slowing down. It’s about finding joy, friendship, purpose and something to look forward to.
Here’s to many more happy moments together. 💙✨
#RoyalAlfred #PositiveAgeingWeek #PositiveAgeing #LifeAtRoyalAlfred #LivingWell #CareHomeLife #Wellbeing #Seafarers #Veterans #MakingEveryDayCount
Oct 4
☕💜 A special visitor to our Memory Café
We were delighted to welcome Cllr Lynne Fletcher, Shadow Councillor for East Surrey, to Royal Alfred today. 💙
Alongside a tour of our home and beautiful grounds, Lynne joined us at our monthly Memory Café, meeting residents, families, visitors, volunteers and colleagues along the way.
Held on the first Friday of every month, our Memory Café offers a friendly and supportive space for people living with dementia and their loved ones to meet, chat, take part in activities and enjoy time together.
It was lovely to share a little of life at Royal Alfred and the wonderful sense of community that means so much to us.
Thank you, Lynne, for spending the morning with us! 💙⚓
#RoyalAlfred #MemoryCafe #DementiaSupport #LifeAtRoyalAlfred #Community #CareHomeLife #PositiveAgeing #Seafarers #Veterans #EastSurrey
Oct 2
🍂 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
Sep 29
💙 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
Sep 28
💙 A little glimpse of life at Royal Alfred this week...
⚓Celebrating World Maritime Day
🎶Enjoying a fantastic concert with Steve Convey
🎨Looking back on some of our residents` creations and crafts on National Day of Arts in Care Homes
🌿Exploring with a wonderful trip to Kew Gardens
With World Maritime Day and the National Day of Arts in Care Homes both falling on 24 September, there has been plenty to celebrate this week.
From getting creative to getting out and about, and from music to shared laughter, we love creating opportunities for our residents to enjoy good company, new experiences and the things that bring a little extra joy to the day. 😊
Swipe through for a few moments from life at Royal Alfred📸💙
#RoyalAlfred #ThisWeekAtRoyalAlfred #LifeAtRoyalAlfred #CareHomeLife #WorldMaritimeDay #ArtsInCareHomes #KewGardens #Seafarers #MakingMemories #Community
Sep 25
