Three members of staff at the Royal Alfred Seafarers’ Society’s Banstead nursing care home have been presented with 10-year, long service awards.

The Society, which provides care for retired seafarers from across the UK, prides itself on its low staff turnover, which it attributes to good working conditions and making the home, Belvedere House, a happy place to work.

The staff honoured with the awards were Deputy Housekeeper Louraine Murphy, Catering Manager Jenny O’Neil and Care Assistant Margaret Katamba. Their long service was recognised at the Society’s Open Day in June.

The day took place to mark Seafarers Awareness Week, welcoming the public to the home to celebrate the essential contribution which seafarers make to the nation. At the same time, support was given to fellow maritime charity Seafarers UK, a grant-giving organisation which in turn gives financial support to seafaring charities such as Royal Alfred. The home also welcomed children from the Woodmansterne Primary School Choir who sang a range of songs for residents.

Staff have seen many changes over the past ten years at the home, particularly the addition of a 36-bed dementia wing in 2011, several royal visits and the Society’s 150th birthday in 2015.

The Royal Alfred Seafarers’ Society Chief Executive, Commander Brian Boxall-Hunt, said: “We are honoured to recognise these members of staff with long service awards. We believe Belvedere House is a great place to work and always aim for high quality conditions for both our staff and residents. The fact that so many members of staff have been with the Society for a number of years is testament to this.

“Having long-serving staff means consistency for those who reside with us and is especially important for those living with dementia. We consider the home just that, a home, and the staff and residents a family. We hope in the future even more of our staff will be recognised for long service and wish the recipients of these awards all the best as they continue their careers with the Society.”

The Society has a number of long-serving staff, including Care Home Manager Anne Kasey, who has been looking after residents for more than 30 years, and Executive Assistant Margaret Brazier, who has spent more than 50 years with the Society.

www.royalalfredseafarers.co.uk