As the nation prepares to celebrate VE Day 80, two Royal Navy sailors visited Enfield care home Bullsmoor Lodge to connect with residents and share their experiences of military life.
“It was lovely to come and meet everyone,” said Leading Seaman (AWW) Phillips, who is serving on HMS Duncan. “I enjoyed speaking to two ladies whose husbands were in the military during World War Two and hearing their stories from way back.”
“I really enjoyed the chat,” said Richard: “We both had stories to tell.”
Bullsmoor resident Margaret said: “I’m very proud of my husband being in the Army. During his two years’ National Service he saw 16 months’ active service in Singapore and Malaysia. It was such a pleasure speaking with Lucy from the Royal Navy and talking about getting married to my Keith when he came out of the Army in 1961 – we married that same year in the August.”
As part of the AgeCare Care Home group, Bullsmoor Lodge is currently undergoing accreditation by the Veteran Friendly Framework. Designed for use in residential settings for older people, the VFF supports care providers to offer appropriate support for the thousands of veterans living in care homes across England. It does this by helping them identify veterans and their partners, addressing social isolation and signposting to statutory and charitable services. Implementing the Framework also helps create a culture of understanding for people who have served.
