The Royal Alfred Seafarers’ Society has launched an innovative therapy programme at its Banstead home after winning a £5,000 grant to fund new technology.
The Society will use the Santander Foundation Discovery Grant to purchase five new iPads to aid resident activities at the Society’s care home, Belvedere House.
The iPads will be used for activities including the home’s new Music Therapy Programme run by its team of 30 volunteers. Staff will be able to teach the elderly residents how to utilise new technology including how to send emails, listen to music and take photos using the iPads. This will enable residents to feel comfortable with current technologies and communicate with their relatives and friends outside of the home.
The Royal Navy Association (RNA) has also donated several iPads to the Society as part of Project Semaphore to improve communication for the Navy veterans who find a home from sea at Belvedere House.
The Society has been caring for seafarers for more than 150 years and continually improves its practices and facilities to ensure residents receive the best possible care. In 2011 Belvedere House expanded to include a brand new dedicated dementia wing. With specialist care and a nostalgic atmosphere full of nautical memorabilia intended to inspire remembrance, the charity is always looking for ways to extend its care offering. The introduction of iPads will help the Society to encourage residents to stay active and learn new skills whilst feeling supported.
Chief Executive, Commander Brian Boxall-Hunt, said: “The Royal Alfred Seafarers’ Society is committed to providing a comfortable and stimulating environment for residents. With this grant we can teach residents how to use new technologies and make our activities as useful and enjoyable as possible.
“With 150 years of dedicated care to our name we want to encourage residents to use new technology to feel comfortable in an ever-changing world. These iPads are the perfect tool to ensure those who stay at Belvedere House are connected to the outside world and feel able to participate in wider society.”
