First VFF accreditation for AgeCare Care Homes
AgeCare Care Homes has announced that the first of its nine care homes to have achieved the standards required for the Veteran Friendly Framework (VFF) is Millway House in Andover, where veterans will now benefit from enhanced person-centred care and support.
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 its Veteran Friendly status, Millway House 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.
Each of AgeCare Care Homes’ nine properties is undergoing VFF accreditation and Millway House is the first to achieve VFF status. Manager Claire Lousteau said: “We are delighted to be a VFF-approved care home. It’s a real honour to be recognised for our commitment to supporting the veteran community within our care home.
“We really enjoyed the accreditation process and it has already had a hugely positive impact on our veterans. We looked closely at how we could make our environment more inclusive and meaningful for them, and one of the first steps we took was placing poppy emblems on our veterans’ doors as a mark of respect and recognition. It’s a simple gesture but it has sparked many conversations among residents and staff.
“We’ve also developed closer ties with our local Armed Forces & Veterans Breakfast Club and the Test Valley Armed Forces Champion. Both now visit regularly, and we’ve arranged an outing to the Breakfast Club. These visits have been a real highlight for many of our residents. For some, it has rekindled a strong sense of camaraderie and pride.
“One of the most heart-warming outcomes has been seeing new friendships form among our veteran residents. Several have discovered shared experiences and stories from their time in service, which has created a real sense of connection and community.
One gentleman told us he hadn’t spoken so openly about his time in the forces in decades, but now he looks forward to his chats with fellow veterans every day.
“Being part of the VFF community has made a genuinely positive impact, and we’re proud to continue supporting our veterans with the recognition and respect they so deeply deserve.”
