The first non-military care home in the country to achieve Veteran Friendly Framework (VFF) status is to hold a celebratory event featuring a singer and drummers from armed forces charity the Soldiers’, Sailors’ and Airmen’s Families Association (SSAFA).
Anchor’s Lightbowne Hall in Moston, Manchester, worked through the national programme and achieved Veteran Friendly Framework status in November last year.
The celebratory event takes place at the home today and will also include a presentation by Anchor’s managing director of care services, Rob Martin.
Care home manager Rebecca Mardy said: “My team at Anchor’s Lightbowne Hall worked incredibly hard to identify our veterans and provide training resources to better support colleagues with the aim of creating a veteran friendly culture.
“This also addresses social isolation and helps to signpost to the range of statutory and charitable services available for veterans.
“We are proud to say that we understand the social, emotional and physical needs of our veterans and the impact their military service has had on their experience of life, work, family and physical and mental health.
“This understanding means we can deliver even better care for them.”
Extremely proud
VFF project lead Kathryn Glass said: “The VFF team is extremely proud that Lightbowne Hall has achieved Veteran Friendly status. This is testament to their hard work and commitment to understanding the specific needs of their veteran residents and providing the very best care. I’m looking forward to sharing the celebration with them on what promises to be a very special day.”
Mr Martin said: “I know how hard everyone at the home worked to get to this point and I know how proud they are to have achieved Veteran Friendly status on behalf of their residents, who can only benefit from it.
“The home’s celebration event promises to be a fantastic day for everyone involved.
“I have a military background and served with 40 Regiment Royal Artillery for seven years developing some of my earliest leadership skills in Bosnia as part of the NATO peacekeeping force (SFOR).”
Representatives from 202 Field Squadron 75 Engineers Regiment have been invited to join colleagues and residents at the event at Lightbowne Hall to help celebrate what is a momentous occasion for all involved.
The event will start with a buffet lunch followed by a performance by singer Paul Bryant, – who regularly performs at Lightbowne Hall and is popular with residents – the drummers from SSAFA and the presentation by Rob Martin.
Pictured (from left) Lightbowne Hall resident, George Hill; Anchor’s home manager Rebecca Mardy and resident Ronald Ballantyne.
