Former members of the Armed Forces across the region will benefit from enhanced person-centred care and support, after local care home group Spellman Care became the second full care home group in the country to meet the standards required for the Veteran Friendly Framework (VFF).

Yesterday, Spellman Care marked their achievement of becoming a Veteran Friendly care home group with a celebratory event at their home in Skipton, Craven Nursing Home. The event featured a delightful 1940’s themed afternoon tea with live music, complete with classic games and wartime memorabilia. A special presentation, prepared by a resident at Steeton Court Nursing Home, added a personal touch to the celebration. Guests enjoyed the nostalgic atmosphere further enhanced by a beautiful classic car on display.

The event welcomed a range of esteemed guests, including representatives of the Royal British Legion Skipton Branch, featuring their new Chairman, Gordon Bell. Two soldiers from the MOD Careers Office, Major Mick Lynch from the Royal Yorkshire Regiment, and Kathryn Glass from the Veteran Friendly Framework also joined the celebration. Martin Flint-Johnson, Armed Forces Advocate at Airedale Hospital, further enriched the gathering. Members of the public, residents, and relatives from across the Spellman Care group of homes rounded out the attendees, creating a truly special atmosphere.

The aim of the VFF is to better support the practical, emotional and social needs of the Armed Forces community in 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, Spellman Care 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.

“We are absolutely thrilled and proud to be recognized as a Veteran Friendly Care Home Group,” said Philippa Young, Group Operations Manager at Spellman Care. “This accolade is a testament to our unwavering commitment to providing exceptional care for all residents, especially our valued veterans.

By embodying our core values of kindness, dignity, and compassion, we’ve created a supportive community where veterans feel cherished and connected.

Initiatives like our Veterans Cafes, specialized staff training, and fostering connections with the Armed Forces community have been instrumental in building a thriving environment where friendships flourish.

It’s incredibly rewarding to witness the positive impact these efforts have had on our residents’ lives.”

The VFF 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.

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 all four of the Spellman Care homes were of an exceptionally high standard and a testament to the dedication, passion, and commitment the group has for providing high-quality person-centred care for residents and colleagues alike.

I would like to thank all Spellman Care colleagues within the organisation for their hard work and commitment to undertaking this framework and for being so welcoming to the VFF Team.

This programme will benefit both current and future residents, along with current and future staff, who are able to access enhanced training and guidance to better engage with the unique military experiences that their residents and partners have lived through.

Having all the homes within the organisation receive VFF status is a testament to the commitment from Spellman Care to the Armed Forces Community both as residents and as employers.”