Innovative project launched to improve support and wellbeing for over 25,000 veterans

RAF veteran and Royal Star & Garter resident Michael thinks the VFF is a ‘marvellous idea’. (Image supplied by Royal Star & Garter)

A new project has been launched which will benefit the tens of thousands of Armed Forces veterans and their partners living in care homes across England.

The Veteran Friendly Framework (VFF), launched on Thursday 19th October 2023, will tackle loneliness and isolation and deliver improved health and wellbeing outcomes for over 25,000 veterans.

One of the care homes currently going through the VFF approval process say it has already benefited its veteran residents.

The VFF is a two-year collaboration between Armed Forces charities Royal Star & Garter, Royal British Legion and NHS Veterans Covenant Healthcare Alliance (VCHA), with funding support from the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust.

The aim of the VFF is to better support the practical, emotional and social needs of the Armed Forces community, in residential care homes across England, by providing training and resources to assess and improve the care they offer.

Care providers must meet eight standards to complete their accreditation. These include: noting Armed Forces status within care plans; addressing social isolation; and signposting to support services.

Out of 15,000 care homes in England, only 20 offer specialist support to those who served in the Armed Forces and their partners. Following a pilot, ten of these care homes are now VFF-approved. A further 20 care homes are in the process of gaining accreditation. In total, 670 veterans and partners have already benefited from improvements.

Among these is Lightbowne Hall, a care home in Manchester run by Anchor, England’s largest not-for-profit provider of housing and care for people in later life. Home Manager Rebecca Mardy said: ‘As a home we have learned just how much help and support is available. Staff have a much better understanding of our veterans and it has opened a completely new field of conversations.‘

Rt Hon. Johnny Mercer MP, Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, said: ‘The Veteran Friendly Framework will make sure that veterans living in care homes understand and are fully aware of the services that are available to them. It’s all about making this the best country in the world to be a veteran. I pay tribute to Royal Star & Garter, Royal British Legion, VCHA and everyone who has helped with this.‘

Charles Byrne, Royal British Legion Director General, said: ‘Most veterans are cared for in civilian homes that in some cases, may not fully understand their social, emotional or physical needs. The exciting potential of this project is to raise the standards of care received by all members of the Armed Forces community living in all care homes.‘

Any care homes interested in receiving more information about the VFF can visit www.starandgarter.org/veteran-friendly-framework, email [email protected] or call 07435 326070.

*Source of information : Press release from Royal Star & Garter.