In November, we see our communities across the UK come together for Remembrance Day to honour the sacrifices made by our Armed Forces. For veterans living in Veteran Friendly care homes, these commemorations can hold deep personal significance and provide opportunities to reflect and connect with others through shared experiences.
At Orchard Healthcare Group, many of our homes have worked hard to achieve their Veteran Friendly Framework (VFF) accreditation, with many more soon to join them.
The Veteran Friendly Framework plays an important role in ensuring veterans are recognised, celebrated and supported, not only during Remembrance events but throughout the year.
So, what is a Veteran Friendly care home, and how does it fit into the care provided at Orchard?
What is a Veteran Friendly Accredited Care Home?
A care home with a Veteran Friendly Framework accreditation is committed to recognising and supporting residents who have served in the Armed Forces and their families, ensuring their experiences and contributions are acknowledged as part of their ongoing care.
By identifying veterans within their community, training staff, appointing VFF Champions and creating opportunities to recognise military service all year round, Veteran Friendly care homes help residents maintain an important part of their identity.
Achieving Veteran Friendly status is no small feat! Our homes have not only put in the work to gain accreditation, they’ve since ensured residents have plenty of opportunities to reconnect with their experiences and integrate with their local communities.
Why military history matters to veterans living in care homes
Military service, or being a family member or close friend of a veteran, often shapes a person’s identity, values and life story, making it an important part of who they are long after their time in the Armed Forces has ended.
By becoming Veteran Friendly, our care homes can create experiences and opportunities for discussions that give residents a sense of pride and community, building confidence and creating a greater sense of belonging. Veterans can also connect with each other through their experiences, remembering their own stories and sharing the proud history of their loved ones.
It’s an important part of person-centred care with many emotional and social benefits, as residents can continue to identify with a part of their personal history and see that it’s still recognised within their home and the wider community.
Millfield Nursing Home, our Veteran Friendly accredited care home in Bolsover attending the Bolsover Remembrance parade.
Bringing residents and communities together
How our Veteran Friendly care homes support Veterans during Remembrance
Remembrance Day provides veterans with an opportunity to honour those who served alongside them, reflect on shared experiences and participate in meaningful acts of remembrance within their community.
At Orchard, our Veteran Friendly care homes take part in a variety of Remembrance services and events, and often plan their own, creating a strong sense of purpose for residents who have a key part in the planning and organisation.
Here are a few ways our homes take part in Remembrance:
- Attending local Remembrance services
- Hosting Remembrance ceremonies within the home
- Creating poppy displays and remembrance gardens
- Welcoming local schools, cadets or community groups to visit
- Taking part in wreath-laying ceremonies
- Sharing veterans’ stories and memories
- Working with local branches of veteran organisations
These events not only honour military service but also bring residents, families and communities together through shared reflection and respect.
Veteran Friendly accredited care home Archers Court attending a Remembrance Sunday wreath-laying commemoration in their local community.
The importance of community connections
One of the most valuable aspects of veteran-friendly care is maintaining meaningful connections with the wider community.
Whether attending local events, welcoming community groups into the home or working alongside veteran organisations, these experiences help residents remain active participants in community life.
These opportunities can help reduce isolation, support wellbeing and foster a continued sense of purpose.
What does support for Veterans look like throughout the year?
While Remembrance Day is an important occasion, Veteran Friendly care is about recognising and supporting residents throughout the year.
Our Veteran Friendly homes support residents through enrichment activities such as:
- Armed Forces Day celebrations
- Community visits such as veteran breakfast clubs and cafes
- Intergenerational projects with schools and Cadets
- Military memorabilia displays
- Story-sharing sessions
- Veteran support groups
- Visits from local veterans and service organisations
Cherry Trees Care Home in Rotherham sharing deeply personal wartime memories
What families should look for in a Veteran Friendly care home
For families, choosing a Veteran Friendly accredited care home can provide reassurance that a loved one’s service and personal history will be recognised and respected as part of their individual care journey.
For veterans and their families, it can be helpful to ask:
- Is the home accredited under the Veteran Friendly Framework or working towards accreditation?
- How does the home recognise residents’ military service?
- Are there links with local veteran organisations?
- Does the home encourage community involvement?
- Are there opportunities for reminiscence and life-story work?
- How does the home support personal interests and identity?
Our Veteran Friendly homes are proud to be a home that values a residents’ experiences and achievements and recognises the importance of maintaining this part of each person’s identity.
Looking for a Veteran Friendly Care Home?
Our Veteran Friendly Framework accredited homes are committed to recognising, celebrating and supporting veterans throughout the year. All accredited homes have the VFF badge on their website page, with many more soon to join them!
Find your nearest Orchard Healthcare Group home
Remembrance Day is an important moment to honour those who served, but our Veteran Friendly care homes recognise that military service remains a meaningful part of a person’s identity every day of the year.
Through community engagement, meaningful activities and ongoing recognition of residents’ experiences, Veteran Friendly care homes help veterans maintain a sense of pride, purpose and belonging, integral to person-centred care.
