Boost For Armed Forces Veterans Living At Grace Manor Care Centre In Kent
Former members of the Armed Forces in Gillingham will benefit from enhanced person-centred care and support after the care home they live in, Grace Manor Care Centre, achieved the standards required for the Veteran Friendly Framework (VFF). They are the first care home in Kent to have achieved the accolade so far.
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. It will help tackle loneliness and has the scope to deliver improved health and wellbeing outcomes for the 25,000 veterans living in care homes in England.
To achieve their Veteran Friendly status, Grace Manor Care Centre, part of the Forest Healthcare family of homes, 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 partners of veterans. While Grace Manor Care Centre is the first to have achieved VFF status, all twelve sister Forest Healthcare homes have signed up to the programme with a full commitment to becoming veteran friendly.
“I am very proud and excited to be a part of this life-changing initiative, especially as I have such a personal appreciation of what life is like in the Armed Forces,” explained Gabriele Jerome, manager of Grace Manor Care Centre. “I was an army wife for 10 years, and we also have Ex Armed Forces personnel and dependents working for us, who immediately saw the benefits of getting involved.
“After 25 years in health care, I have seen first-hand how PTSD, experienced by so many ex-soldiers, can have a profound impact on dementia. We have seven veterans living at Grace Manor Care Centre, most of whom served in the Second World War or the Northern Ireland conflict. Nobody can fully appreciate what they’ve been through, or what it was like for them to serve away from their families for such long periods. It’s a real inspiration to work on this programme and make a difference in a Veteran’s life.
“Some of the differences might seem small but make a big impact: one of our veterans had lost all of his army memorabilia, so we contacted the Armed Forces on his behalf, and they’re helping to look for it. They’ve even found a photograph and have come to talk to him. He’s non-verbal, but he responded to that. A precious moment. We’re also aiming to set up an Armed Forces Breakfast Club here at Grace Manor Care Centre, to tackle the social isolation experienced by many veterans. It will be the first Breakfast Club in any Kent care home.”
Amanda Scott, Chief Executive Officer for Forest Healthcare said,
“Gabriele was not only committed to the Veteran Friendly Framework accreditation, but brought it to my attention as something that the whole Forest Healthcare team could participate in. As a wife, daughter, and granddaughter to those who have served it immediately resonated, and it was a pleasure to sign the covenant and fully participate. So many people have reached out subsequently to express how important this framework would be to them if they were to enter a care home as ex-military.”
Gabriele added: “We take pride in honouring our veterans’ military service and cultivating an atmosphere of understanding for those who have served, addressing the feeling of loneliness and isolation that may occur whilst in a residential setting.”
Armed Forces Champion Chrissy Stamp, Councillor for Watling Ward, said:
“It is fantastic news that Grace Manor Care Centre have signed up to the Armed Forces Covenant, completed the ERS Registration and achieved Veteran Friendly Framework status, leading the way in Kent. This is an important step for the veterans in our community. Knowing that veterans living here will receive care that truly understands and respects their unique experiences, especially in areas like social isolation, is so reassuring.
“It’s also fantastic news that all twelve sister Forest Healthcare homes have signed up to the Veteran Friendly Framework showing that they are committed to making sure our veterans feel supported and valued. This is a real positive change, and I believe it will have a lasting impact on the lives and wellbeing of so many veterans. It’s a step in the right direction for honouring their service and ensuring they receive the care they truly deserve.”
