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
🐾 New Recruits in the Admin Office! 🐾
While Lindsay’s colleague was off enjoying some well-earned annual leave, she had a little help from some unexpected team members — the guinea pigs! 🐹✨
They might not be the best at filing or answering phones, but they’re excellent at boosting morale and keeping spirits high. We’re not sure if their squeaks were productivity tips or snack requests, but either way, they kept the office lively!
Thanks to our furry friends for stepping in — we think they deserve an extra carrot or two for their hard work. 🥕💻
May 20
We’re turning 160!
Join us at the Royal Alfred Seafarers` Society as we celebrate 160 years of proud service on Wednesday 28th May 2025.
Starting at 11am, we’ll take a walk through history with a talk on the legacy of RASS.
Then enjoy a build-your-own burger bar lunch (limited bookings for family & friends via the Admin Office).
The day ends on a high note with a music concert to mark this special occasion!
We look forward to celebrating with our residents, families, and community.
#RASS160 #RoyalAlfredSeafarers #CareWithHistory #160YearsStrong #seafarers #veterans #merchantnavy #royalnavy
May 18
Exciting Day for The Royal Alfred!
Today we’re at the iconic Trinity House for our Annual General Meeting — a very special occasion where we’ll be launching our refreshed logo, our latest Impact Report, and our brand-new website!
A lot has been happening behind the scenes at the Royal Alfred over the past year, and today marks an important milestone in sharing that work with all of you.
Our new look celebrates our proud heritage while looking firmly to the future — honouring the past, embracing the present, and building for generations to come.
Thank you to everyone who continues to support our mission to care for seafarers and their dependants. We can’t wait to show you what we’ve been working on!
#RoyalAlfred #AGM #NewBeginnings #ImpactReport #WebsiteLaunch #ProudHeritageBrightFuture
May 16
A very special day aboard HMS Wellington 🇬🇧⚓️
We were delighted to see Doris enjoying a memorable visit to HMS Wellington on 8th May, marking VE Day 80 with a heartfelt tribute to the men and women of the Merchant Navy and Armed Forces.
The event was beautifully organised by the Merchant Navy Welfare Board (MNWB) and offered a wonderful opportunity to reflect, remember, and honour the sacrifices made for our freedom.
Doris’s smile says it all — from the warm welcome on board to the chance to share stories and memories, this was a truly meaningful experience.
Thank you to the MNWB for making this commemorative day so special.
#VEDay80 #HMSWellington #MNWB #Veterans #MerchantNavy #Remembrance #Gratitude #Community #RoyalAlfredSeafarers
May 15
A Special Visit from Anne – Sharing Stories Across Generations
We were delighted to see Anne, one of our remarkable sheltered housing residents, out and about recently as she visited a local primary school to meet with a group of enthusiastic pupils.
At 100 years old, Anne has lived a rich and fascinating life, and the children were absolutely captivated as she shared her story — particularly her time serving in the Women`s Royal Naval Service (WRNS). From her wartime experiences to her reflections on how life has changed over the decades, Anne had the room hanging on her every word.
The children are now writing Anne’s autobiography as part of a special school project, and once it’s finished, they’ll be sending her a copy to read. She’s very much looking forward to seeing how they’ve told her story — and we’re looking forward to hearing what she thinks!
It was a lovely example of connection across generations, and a reminder of how much wisdom and history our residents have to share.
#IntergenerationalLearning #100YearsYoung #WRNS #LivingHistory #CareCommunity #ResidentStories #LifelongMemories #HistoryAlive #SchoolProject #ShelteredHousing #RoyalAlfred #CommunityConnections
May 14
📣 FREE Dementia Training for Unpaid Carers in Banstead & Tandridge
Are you caring for someone with dementia? Surrey County Council is offering free training sessions designed to support unpaid carers. Covering everything from an introduction to dementia to advanced care techniques, these sessions are a fantastic way to gain confidence, skills, and support.
Please share with anyone who might benefit 💙
May 13
At The Royal Alfred Seafarers` Society, we love making our residents’ birthdays extra special. This stunning cake was lovingly made by our talented Chef Janice to celebrate a very special birthday!
Every detail was carefully crafted to bring joy to the occasion, and we’re so grateful to our Catering Team for going above and beyond to make these moments memorable.
Wishing our resident a wonderful birthday filled with happiness, laughter, and, of course, a slice of delicious cake!
#BirthdayCelebration #MadeWithLove #Teamwork #MakingMemories
May 13
📣 Facebook Post:
We`re Hiring! 🧡 Health & Wellbeing Specialist | Full Time | Belvedere House (near Banstead, Surrey)
Are you caring, compassionate, and passionate about supporting older people? We’re looking for a Health and Wellbeing Specialist to join our team at Belvedere House, our nursing home in the peaceful village of Woodmansterne.
📍 35 hours per week (including alternate weekends)
💷 £13.85–£14.79 per hour (depending on qualifications)
💡 Full training provided
You`ll help support our residents’ physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing—and make a real difference every day.
✨ What we offer:
✔️ A friendly, supportive environment
✔️ Ongoing training and development
✔️ The chance to be part of something truly meaningful
No NVQ? No problem—we’ll support the right person to train and grow.
📩 Interested? Send us a message or apply today to join a team that truly cares.
#NowHiring #CareJobs #HealthAndWellbeing #BelvedereHouse #MakeADifference
May 12
