Maritime charity The Royal Alfred Seafarers’ Society and its care home Belvedere House is celebrating a number of new appointments supporting the Society’s strong and longstanding provision of nursing care accommodation and housing for former seafarers.
This includes the new Clinical Deputy Manager, Damian Walicki, who will assist Home Manager Alice Mitroi in leading nursing and care colleagues, as well as overseeing the delivery of the high standard of care provided to residents and tenants.
Damian, pictured right, started his career in intensive therapy units working in anaesthetics before becoming a nursing specialist. He previously worked for the NHS and the private sector in hospital surgical theatres before changing career direction and moving into the care industry, quickly progressing to become a lead nurse before joining the Society as Clinical Deputy Manager in 2022.
The Society has also strengthened its catering, management, housekeeping and maintenance teams, with 17 new recruits this year, supporting with delivering care, providing nutritious meal plans and administration duties throughout the Home.
The appointments come on the back of a round of award success for the Society, with kitchen staff recognised with a Catering Team of the Year award for their emphasis on relationships with residents and ensuring mealtimes are tailored and nutritious. Home Manager Alice Mitroi has also been shortlisted for the Nursing Leader of the Year Award for the Nursing Times, with the winner announced later in the year.
Commander Brian Boxall-Hunt, CEO at The Royal Alfred Seafarers’ Society, said: “It is so good to welcome Damian to our team as Clinical Deputy Manager, he brings with him important experience and knowledge that will only help reinforce the dedicated care we give here at the Society. This year has been filled with exceptional moments for our team and it is wonderful to gain the recognition within the industry for our different departments.
“It is an incredibly challenging environment to recruit currently in the UK, and the care sector in particular struggles with a high turnover with more than 100,000 vacancies at any one time. We are lucky here at the Society to have so many long standing members of staff and that we are able to attract and recruit such excellent candidates: we could not do what we do without a strong team around us.
“The growth of the team and our award wins highlight how we as a Society are continuing our investment in this area, which also ensures that all of our residents and tenants receive the best possible dedicated care.”
Damian Walicki said: “I am delighted to join the team here at The Royal Alfred; I have always loved working within the care sector and the Society is a wonderful place to continue to progress my career. Everyone here is so welcoming, it is like joining a family and it says a lot that so many of the team have been here for a substantial amount of time. I am looking forward to getting to know all of the residents and tenants and helping to continue the amazing level of care the team already provide.”
To find out more about the work of The Royal Alfred Seafarers’ Society visit the charity’s website (www.royalalfredseafarers.co.uk). To keep up to date with the latest news from the Society, follow and like the official Society Facebook page.
