New project launched to tackle loneliness for more than 25,000 veterans in UK care homes
A new project has been launched with the aim of tackling loneliness and isolation, as well as providing better health and wellbeing outcomes, for UK military veterans.
The Veteran Friendly Framework (VFF) will look to support more than 25,000 veterans living in care homes by providing resources to help with their practical, emotional and social needs.
In order to achieve accreditation for the VFF, care providers must meet eight standards, which include provisions to identify the wellbeing needs of veterans and their partners.
This is achieved by ensuring their Armed Forces status included in their care planning, and when addressing social isolation.
They must also provide signposting to local statutory and charitable support services.
Professor Deborah Sturdy CBE, the Chief Nurse for Adult Social Care in England, said the launch of the VFF is a "really important step forward" in supporting veterans.
"The partnership and opportunity that it presents to make sure people live well and have a fulfilled and interesting life is absolutely critical," she said.
"I'm delighted to be supporting this and I know that this will make a real difference, not only to the veterans who live with us but also the understanding and the quality of care they receive."
Currently, there are around 15,000 care homes in England, but only 20 offer specialist support to veterans and their partners.
During an initial pilot phase of the VFF, 10 care homes have met the required standards, including all Royal Star & Garter and five Royal British Legion homes.
More than 670 veterans and their partners will now benefit from the initiative, with a further 1,200 staff receiving training and guidance on how to provide care to veterans.
One care home, as a result of the VFF, said it was forging closer links with military groups in the area to help service the needs of its veterans.
Another care home, Lightbowne Hall in Manchester, said the VFF had created bonds between its veteran residents, bringing them closer together, and enabling staff to better their person-centred care.
Minister for Veterans' Affairs Johnny Mercer said the VFF will make sure veterans in care homes "understand and are fully aware of the services that are available to them".
"It's all about making this the best country in the world to be a veteran. I pay tribute to Royal Star & Garter, Royal British Legion, VCHA and everyone who has helped with this," he said.
A further 20 care homes are now in the process for VFF accreditation, including Ascot and Anchor.
They are already seeing benefits, with residents who had not previously shared their status as veterans coming forward, connecting individuals and creating social interactions based on their service.
The VFF, a two-year collaboration between charities the Royal Star and Garter charity, the Royal British Legion and the NHS Veterans Covenant Healthcare Alliance.
It has also received funding support from the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust.
Focusing on care homes, the project follows on from the Veteran Friendly accredited GP scheme run by the Royal College of General Practitioners and the VCHA NHS accreditation scheme.
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