A mother and daughter team at the Banstead-based care home of the Royal Alfred Seafarers’ Society are highlighting the benefits of families working together, as they celebrate Mother’s Day this Sunday 26th March.

Mother of four Valerie Dunbar, a Kitchen Assistant at the Royal Alfred Seafarers’ Society’s nursing care home, has worked at Belvedere House in  Surrey for more than a decade, with her daughter Joanne joining as a General Assistant at the age of 16. Both outgoing and passionate about their roles, they enjoy bringing a smile to the faces of residents and have proven to be a perfect fit for the home’s vibrant team.

Valerie said: “My daughter and I are best friends and there isn’t a day that goes by without us sharing some time in company. I am so grateful for the opportunity to share the job I love with Joanne. As I do the cooking at work, on Mother’s Day she always cooks me dinner and we spend the day together. Also, she likes to spoil me with flowers, clothes, perfume, and my favourite, chocolate.”

Joanne said: “I truly enjoy working alongside my mother because we get along really well. What I enjoy the most about my job, besides working with the residents is finding moral support and comfort among my colleagues, and having my mother with me every day is the cherry on top.”

The award-winning maritime home in Surrey has more than 100 staff providing high-quality care for elderly, sick or disabled seafarers, as well as their widows and dependants. The Society has 14 staff members who are related and working together across different departments, from Chief Executive Brian Boxall-Hunt and his daughter Hannah, a Care Assistant, to Maintenance Technician James Woodcraft and his twin brother Edward, a General Assistant.

Chief Executive of the Royal Alfred Seafarers’ Society, Commander Brian Boxall-Hunt, said: “In order to meet the sometimes complex needs of our residents, it is important for residents to feel at home.

“At Royal Alfred, we pride ourselves on creating that family-feel for those who choose to spend their time with us, and by having actual family members within our team just helps to instil this in all that we do.”

www.royalalfredseafarers.co.uk