Former members of the Armed Forces at Millway House in Andover will benefit from enhanced person-centred care and support now that the care home has achieved the standards required for the Veteran Friendly Framework (VFF).
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. It will help tackle loneliness and has the scope to deliver improved health and wellbeing outcomes for the 25,000 veterans living in care homes in England.
Millway House is the first of AgeCare Care Homes’ nine properties to achieve VFF status. Manager Claire Lousteau said: “We are delighted to be a VFF-approved care home. It’s a real honour to be recognised for our commitment to supporting the veteran community within our care home.
“We really enjoyed the accreditation process and it has already had a hugely positive impact on our veterans. We looked closely at how we could make our environment more inclusive and meaningful for them, and one of the first steps we took was placing poppy emblems on our veterans’ doors as a mark of respect and recognition. It’s a simple gesture but it has sparked many conversations among residents and staff.
“We’ve also developed closer ties with our local Armed Forces & Veterans Breakfast Club and the Test Valley Armed Forces Champion. Both now visit regularly, and we’ve arranged an outing to the Breakfast Club. These visits have been a real highlight for many of our residents. For some, it has rekindled a strong sense of camaraderie and pride.
“One of the most heart-warming outcomes has been seeing new friendships form among our veteran residents. Several have discovered shared experiences and stories from their time in service, which has created a real sense of connection and community. One gentleman told us he hadn’t spoken so openly about his time in the forces in decades, but now he looks forward to his chats with fellow veterans every day.
“Being part of the VFF community has made a genuinely positive impact, and we’re proud to continue supporting our veterans with the recognition and respect they so deeply deserve.”
The VFF is a collaboration between Armed Forces charities Royal Star & Garter and Royal British Legion, and NHS Veterans’ Covenant Healthcare Alliance (VCHA), with funding support from the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust.
Kathryn Glass is the VFF Project Lead at Royal Star & Garter and is responsible for supporting and assessing care homes going through the scheme. She said: “We’re delighted that Millway House has achieved VFF status. The application they submitted was of an exceptionally high standard and is a testament to the dedication, passion and commitment they have for providing high-quality, person-centred care for their residents, along with forging meaningful connections to the Armed Forces community and NHS services.
“This programme will also benefit both current and future staff at Millway House, who can access enhanced training and guidance to better engage with the unique military experiences that their residents have lived through. Being a VFF care home means there is an increased understanding and recognition for the veteran community at Millway House.”
