The Veteran Friendly Framework (VFF) aimed at helping veterans residing in care homes throughout England has achieved a significant landmark.
The Willows, a Care UK home in Middlesbrough, became the 100th care home in the country to gain (VFF) status.
Designed for use in residential settings for older people, the VFF helps providers to offer appropriate support for veterans living in care homes across England. It aims to deliver improved health and wellbeing outcomes for over 25,000 veterans and their partners.
The achievement comes 18 months after the pilot project was launched, in 2023.
The Framework supports care home staff in identifying veterans and their wellbeing needs, addressing social isolation and providing signposting to statutory and charitable services. It is a quality improvement programme and is free to care providers.
The Willows is currently caring for ten veterans. Home Manager Julie Gregor is delighted that the home has received VFF status, saying: “It enables us all to celebrate veterans and recognise how hard they worked to enable us all to have the lives we have now. The recognition and celebrations shouldn’t stop just because they live in a care home. We can act as their voice and share with the community what they have achieved, ensuring they are not forgotten.”
She added: “I am so proud that we are the 100th care home to achieve the VFF status. Our team has put a lot into becoming a Veteran Friendly home and it is a great achievement to have for the veterans and their families. We would definitely recommend the VFF to other homes.”
Kathryn Glass is the VFF Project Lead and responsible for supporting and assessing care homes going through the scheme. She said: “Congratulations to The Willows on achieving their VFF status, they are our 100th home to receive this accolade. The number of homes working through the Framework continues to increase, along with the recognition of Armed Forces status, signposting to services and support for veteran residents. We are proud to work alongside all our homes, and welcome The Willows to the VFF family.”
The VFF is a two-year collaboration between Armed Forces charities Royal Star & Garter, the Royal British Legion and the NHS Veterans Covenant Healthcare Alliance (VCHA – an NHS flagship Armed Forces programme), with funding support from the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust.
In order to assess the impact of the VFF, and use this learning to inform future development and practice, it is currently being independently evaluated by Care City CIC, with a final report due in Spring 2025.
Any care homes interested in receiving more information about the VFF can visit https://veteranfriendlyframework.org.uk, email VFF@starandgarter.org or call 07425 326070.
