Ripon Care Home Certified “Veteran Friendly” By Armed Forces Charities

Royal Air Force veteran Gerry Cassidy, 91, is among those living at a recently certified “Veteran Friendly” care home in North Yorkshire.

Gerry is one of several residents at Sycamore Hall Care Home, on Kearsley Road, Ripon, benefitting from the enhanced care and support provided to those who served in the armed forces.

The care home has now received Veteran Friendly Framework (VFF) status for its care provision, part of an armed forces charity backed scheme being rolled out across the country.

The VFF initiative was launched in 2023 with the aim of tackling loneliness and isolation and delivering improved health and wellbeing outcomes for over 25,000 veterans living in care homes across England.

It is a collaboration between Armed Forces charities Royal Star & Garter and Royal British Legion, and NHS Veterans’ Covenant Healthcare Alliance (VCHA), with funding support from the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust.

At Sycamore Hall Care Home, staff, residents, family members, charity representatives, veterans, and local dignitaries all gathered to celebrate the care home receiving VFF status.

Among those at the celebratory afternoon tea was Ripon Mayor Cllr Sid Hawke and his wife Mayoress Linda Hawke, alongside North Yorkshire Council Cllr Kevin Foster, Armed Forces Champion for North Yorkshire.

Guests also included Mike Chambers MBE, president of the Royal Air Force Association Ripon branch, Ian Smith, chair of the Royal British Legion Ripon branch, and Jim Phillips, chair of the Royal Engineers Association, alongside other members of the veteran organisations.

Jules Walker, VFF support project officer for Royal Star & Garter, was also among the guests, which included the care home’s own veterans and veteran champions.

Ewelina Sosnowska, home manager at Sycamore Hall Care Home, said: “We are incredibly proud to have been recognised as a veteran friendly care home. This award reflects our unwavering commitment to honouring and supporting those who have served in the armed forces.

“At Sycamore Hall we strive to create a welcoming environment where veterans feel valued and understood, tailoring our care to their unique needs and experiences. This recognition is not just an achievement, but a reminder of the vital role veterans play in our community, and we remain dedicated to ensuring they receive the respect and care they truly deserve.”

Kathryn Glass is the VFF project lead at Royal Star & Garter and responsible for supporting and assessing care homes going through the scheme.

She said: “The applications submitted by Sycamore Hall Care Home was of an exceptionally high standard and a testament to the dedication, passion, and commitment they have for providing high-quality person-centred care for their residents.”