A CELEBRATION was held at a Teesside care home after being awarded “veteran friendly” status by an armed forces charity backed initiative.
The Beeches Care Home, on Green Lane, Stockton-on-Tees, received the accolade from the Veteran Friendly Framework (VFF), a collaborative project led by the Royal British Legion, Royal Star & Garter, and the Veterans Covenant Healthcare Alliance.
The Mayor of Stockton-on-Tees Cllr John Gardner and his wife Mayoress Paula Gardner were joined by former Stockton Borough Council leader Cllr Bob Cook and Armed Forces Champion and Cllr Stuart Levin for the celebration event.
Several veterans from support charity Veterans for Veterans in Care were also in attendance, including John Hamling, Bob Adamson, Paul Barron and Lee Moore.
Jules Walker, project officer for the Royal Star & Garter, who worked with The Beeches Care Home on their VFF application, was also at the event, when entertainment was provided by The Singing Veterans.
As were the care home’s staff, families, and residents, several of whom are also veterans, including John Collier, 80, Barrie Legg, 84, and Dennis Ward, 92.
They were all treated to a glass of prosecco and buffet while singing along to a medley of uplifting songs and waving the Union Jack.
Audrey Pluck, 93, a resident at The Beeches Care Home, said: “What an amazing day. I loved all of the old songs. They were the right era of songs for me and I knew them all.”
John Hobday, 90, added: “That was the best afternoon we’ve ever had. They were really good, very professional.”
The VFF initiative was launched in 2023 with the aim of tackling loneliness and isolation among the 25,000 strong armed forces community in residential care homes across England by better supporting their practical, emotional and social needs.
To achieve VFF status, The Beeches was required to meet eight standards. These included noting Armed Forces status within care plans, addressing social isolation, and signposting to support services, such as the local Royal British Legion branch, and other charities that provide support for veterans or partners of veterans.
Among the veterans living at the care home, John Collier served 10 years as a signals operator for the Royal Marines between 1961-71. He travelled extensively during his time in the armed forces, working in Singapore, South Africa, and Borneo, to name a few.
He said: “We had to leave Singapore. The RAF flew us to Borneo. It looked like lots of tiny dots on the map. When we got there it was all jungle. I wonder if it looks like that now. It was hard work but I enjoyed it.”
Fellow resident and British Army veteran Barrie Legg served for 22 years, partly as a sergeant in the Green Howards regiment. He had tours in Germany, Cyprus and Northern Ireland, before leaving to work as a delivery driver.
He said: “I enjoyed being in the Army. I liked the adventure and never knowing where we’d be going next.”
Alongside supporting their armed forces veterans within the home, carers at The Beeches have also supported the attendance of events externally, including a visit to The Last Post Memorial Bar, in Thornaby, during a Remembrance Day event and a Christmas party. They also visited University Hospital of North Tees for their veteran coffee morning.
The Stockton Sea Cadets and Royal Marine Cadets have also visited the home, when John spent time sharing his memories and photographs from his service.
Nicola Bowes, activities coordinator and The Beeches Care Home and a VFF Community Champion, said: “It was a pleasure to get to know our veterans in depth and to hear all about their service in the Armed Forces while working our way through the Veteran Friendly Framework.
“Being able to celebrate the home’s achievement with our veterans and their families was heartwarming. Seeing how proud they all were of each other was really special.
“We are pleased to be able to say we are one of the first homes in Stockton to achieve Veteran Friendly status. We are already working hard for our one year review early next year by continuing to provide person centred, meaningful activities for everyone in our home.”
John Drury, home manager, said: “It was a proud achievement to be accredited as a Veteran Friendly care home. By working through the Veteran Friendly Framework we now have access to more support for our veterans and their families. The celebration was a fun afternoon enjoyed by all.”
Kathryn Glass is the VFF project lead at Royal Star & Garter and responsible for supporting and assessing care homes going through the scheme.
She said: “We’re delighted that The Beeches Care Home has achieved VFF status. This is a great commitment to their continuous improvement in the delivery of person-centred care for veteran residents and their partners.
“This programme will benefit both current and future residents, along with current and future staff at The Beeches Care Home, who are able to access enhanced training and guidance to better engage with the unique military experiences that their residents and partners have lived through.
“Being a VFF care home means that there is an increased understanding and recognition for the veteran community at The Beeches Care Home.”