A COTGRAVE care home has been awarded Veteran Friendly Framework status, recognising its commitment to providing enhanced, person-centred care for residents who have served in the Armed Forces.
Church Farm has achieved the accreditation after meeting a series of national standards designed to better support the practical, emotional and social needs of veterans living in residential care.
Home manager Maggie Griffiths said: ”We are so proud to have become a VFF-approved care home. We pride ourselves on being warm and inclusive to all, so it is important for us to provide the right environment for veterans to thrive here.
“We’ve learned so much in the process and have already started implementing activities. The entire team has worked tirelessly to achieve the accreditation, and I’d like to say a big thank you to all of them. We’re looking forward to welcoming more veterans from the community into our home.”
As part of the framework, the care home has introduced a number of initiatives to ensure veterans feel respected and supported.
These include identifying veterans within the home by discreetly placing poppies on bedroom doors to help staff understand residents’ backgrounds, strengthening links with the Royal British Legion, and attending local veterans’ breakfast clubs to encourage social connection beyond the home.
The team has also become more intentional in how they engage with veterans day-to-day, ensuring their experiences are acknowledged and that opportunities are created for shared conversation, remembrance and connection with others who have served.
Since adopting the Veteran Friendly Framework, the home has seen clear positive changes, with veterans forming stronger relationships and experiencing a greater sense of belonging within the community.