Having proudly gained Veteran Friendly status, the team at Horsell Lodge marked the occasion by hosting a special breakfast for St Peter’s Hospital Veterans Group.
Building Relationships with Local Veterans Groups
Caring Homes have embarked on a group-wide mission to attain Veteran Friendly Framework (VFF) accreditation and Horsell Lodge Care Home in Woking was among the first to achieve this. Keen to further develop relationships with veterans’ groups in their local community, the team are working with St Peters Hospital, part of the Ashford and St Peter’s Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (ASPH), which is a Veteran Aware organisation.
Earlier this year, a group from the St Peter’s Hospital Veterans Group was invited to join residents for high tea at Horsell Lodge to mark the 80th anniversary of VJ Day. Last week, Louise Russell who helps to run the group, and the Horsell Lodge team, collaborated on a follow-up visit: a special breakfast to celebrate the care home’s VFF status.
A Fitting Way to Mark Veteran Friendly Framework Accreditation
Shortly before 10am on Friday, a group of smartly uniformed veterans gathered at Horsell Lodge, including special guests, Major Rob Marshall and ASPH Executive, Captain Dr Clarence Chikusu. There was an impressive array of medals on display and plenty of chat and banter!
Horsell Lodge veteran residents, Walter, Hugh and Ray were given a warm welcome as everyone gathered outside for a picture with Horsell Lodge Home Manager Julie Bignall and the official VFF plaque. Julie thanked the veterans for their support, then the group fell silent as Major Marshall delivered the Exhortation – from the poem For the Fallen, traditionally recited at a Remembrance ceremony – before a trumpeter delivered a moving and flawless rendition of The Last Post.
Interaction and Camaraderie Brings Pleasure to Residents and Guests
A hearty breakfast was served afterwards in the dining room, then three of the veterans spoke about aspects of their service to a large group of Horsell Lodge residents. There was time afterwards for informal chatting and mingling between guests and residents – a lovely, sociable way to end an even that showed what a positive effect interaction, shared memories and a spirit of camaraderie can have.
Next month, six of the care home’s resident veterans have been invited to join St Peter’s Hospital Veterans Group for a Remembrance Day service, and Horsell Lodge is returning the invitation in December, hosting a festive turkey lunch.
A Friendship that will Grow and Grow
Looking back on the day and Horsell Lodge’s achievement, Julie said, “We are delighted to have gained our Veteran Friendly Framework accreditation which enables us to better support our veterans and those living in the local community. We’re looking forward to building new relationships, giving something back and saying thank you those who have served this country. The rapport we have already established with St Peter’s Hospital Veterans Group means a lot to everyone involved and it’s a friendship that I’m sure will grow and grow”.
