FORMER members of the Armed Forces at Waterbeach Lodge care home in Cambridge will benefit from enhanced person-centred care and support now that the care home has achieved the standards required for the Veteran Friendly Framework.
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.
To achieve its Veteran Friendly status, Waterbeach Lodge 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 their local Royal British Legion branch and other charities that provide support for veterans or their partners.
Waterbeach Lodge is the second of AgeCare Care Homes’ nine properties to achieve VFF status.
Manager Lynn Ward said: “The Veteran Friendly Framework has been a hugely enjoyable and worthwhile project for us.
“Our residents have been proud to share their stories and have loved making connections with the local veteran community, forming links that we will build upon moving forward.
“We have already organised lots of activities for residents and there are many more in the pipeline. These include a veterans’ Scrabble club, tea on the terrace for our veterans, and a talk from a resident’s family member about WW1 for veterans, relatives and the local community.
“We have engaged with many local groups, including cadets, Brownies and Scouts, who will be coming to meet our veterans. We’re also very excited about our VJ Day celebration in August, with the chair and members of the local British Legion.