Banstead-based maritime charity, The Royal Alfred Seafarers’ Society, is celebrating its long history of family connections with residents and staff within its award-winning care home at Belvedere House.
The Society, which was founded as a charity in 1865, offers specialist care to retired seafarers, their families, and their dependents. With 36 residents in the home and 92 staff members, the society counts a number of family members as part of its community.
Within its workforce the care home has strong family connections. Catering Manager, Matt Goodman, joined the Royal Alfred as a chef in 2014 after being introduced through his grandmother, who was a Carer at the home and always spoke so highly of working at the home. Matt now runs the kitchen and his very own catering team to ensure all residents are well fed.
The home is also the workplace of happy couple Richard and Judy Condie (pictured). The pair, who have been married for over 30 years, have spent most of that time working together blissfully at the 150-year-old care home, where Judy’s mother is also a resident.
Judy, who works as a welfare officer at The Royal Alfred, spends a lot of time with the families that turn to the charity for support, as well as offering tenants a very warm welcome within an excellent standard of dignified and respectful care. Richard, estate manager of the Home, oversees everything from tending to the extensive grounds and buildings to paying care and attention in creating an environment that is relaxing for all the residents, tenants, and staff.
Richard said: “We must be doing something right as both of our sons, Michael and Nick, who run an independent gardening business, work on contract with us too. It’s a really unique environment here at the Royal Alfred Seafarers’ Society and we feel supported as a partnership and a family team.”
The home has evolved over the years to also offer dedicated care to those suffering with dementia, meaning it can cater for married couples who may have differing needs, allowing them to remain together.
Resident, Mr Harvey, who moved into the home with his wife in April 2021, said: “A friend of the family, whose father had been very well looked after at Belvedere House, recommended it as a suitable home for us. It was a solution that would enable us to be together. It was good to spend time with each other in the lounge, or at meal times and join in some of the various activities provided. I particularly enjoy the set of wooden dominoes that are beautifully made, and Liz liked the adult colouring pages”.
Mr Harvey added: “We were lucky enough to be together in time to mark our seventy-third wedding anniversary at the Royal Alfred and I am grateful to everyone at the home for helping us to live comfortably and in each other’s company.”
Chief Executive of the Royal Alfred Seafarers’ Society, Commander Brian Boxall-Hunt, said: “Whilst we run a tight ship given our maritime heritage – at the heart of all we do are the people that keep the home running. Everybody here contributes positively to daily life by making sure that everyone from residents to staff members feel like part of the family. We understand the importance of being close-knit and understand the need for supporting one another, particularly during difficult times, which is why we are also proud to offer adjoining rooms to couples to ensure they can stay together in later life.”
The Royal Alfred Seafarers’ Society prides itself on offering seafarers a safe haven and always committing to providing excellent care for the residents whatever the circumstances.
To find out more about the work of The Royal Alfred Seafarers’ Society, visit the charity’s website. To keep up to date with the latest news from the Society, follow and like the official Society Facebook page.
