Banstead-based maritime charity the Royal Alfred Seafarers’ Society has appointed a new activities co-ordinator to help residents with a range of activities to boost their mental and physical development.
Former volunteer Christine Farrell joins as the new activities co-ordinator at Belvedere House in Surrey, which has provided nursing care and accommodation to support elderly, sick or disabled seafarers, their widows and dependants since 1865.
Christine, whose husband also volunteers at the home, has already been volunteering with the society for 17 years, helping to run activities and events for the 68 residents living at Belvedere House. Her favourite activity is organising concerts and entertainment sessions for the residents, and staff at the home have seen the value of using live music in the home as a tool to stimulate and bring to mind long-forgotten memories.
Her new role involves organising activities, getting to know the residents and their likes and dislikes, as well as understanding their needs and the best activities to help them in exercise, memory recall and to stimulate them mentally and physically.
Christine says: “I’ve been looking out for this job for some time as I really enjoy spending time organising events and activities for the home’s residents and helping them with their development. I love spending time with those who live here, hearing their stories and finding out more about their lives before they moved to Royal Alfred so this is a great opportunity for me to get to know everyone even better and help plan activities for the home.”
Commander Brian Boxall-Hunt, chief executive of the Royal Alfred Seafarers’ Society, says: “The Royal Alfred is very lucky to have such dedicated and professional volunteers, who visit the home in their own time to support our residents. It is wonderful to see one of our dedicated volunteers join the team permanently to share her experience and help lead the society’s activities programme, which is indispensable in daily life at the home.”
The society has a team of more than 30 volunteers who work with the 101-strong team of nurses and carers on site at the home in Surrey. Volunteers help with befriending residents, running activities, gardening and socialising with the residents.
