03/03/2025, Borehamwood WD6 1EP // PRODIGY: Feature Story //
A private nursing care centre based in Camden, London, part of the established and well-regarded Forest Healthcare Group, has been awarded an accreditation that recognises its commitment to outstanding care and support for veterans.
Ash Court Care Centre is the first non-military care facility in the city to achieve this quality mark, showcasing the centre’s commitment, dedication and passion for person-centred care and its efforts to forge connections within veterans, families, healthcare services and the Armed Forces community.
The Impacts and Importance of Veteran-Friendly Care Homes and Nursing Centres
This is the second such award achieved by individual centres within the Forest Healthcare network and something the specialist residential care provider aspires to achieve throughout its residential homes. The accreditation represents compassionate, welcoming and high-quality environments that go the extra mile to ensure veterans and their families are supported.
Launched as an initial pilot project, the Veteran Friendly Framework, or VFF, was created in collaboration between charities and organisations, including Royal Star & Garter, the Royal British Legion, and the NHS Veteran’s Covenant Healthcare Alliance.
It is also assisted with financing from the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust to achieve better well-being and health outcomes for the 25,000 veterans living in residential care centres in England.
Research conducted by the Royal British Legion has identified that 8% of care home residents are veterans, excluding spouses and partners who may also have complex and unique care needs.
However, the study also found that less than 1% of care homes offer specific support for veterans and that many find it challenging to understand how best to connect, address loneliness and create environments where veterans feel supported, seen and respected.
The Veteran Friendly Framework is an initiative that endeavours to ensure care and nursing centres deliver the right levels of support, understand the mental and physical outcomes of a career in the Armed Forces, and demonstrate best practice, focusing on relationships, community and education.
Ash Court Care Centre Reflects on Achieving the Veteran-Friendly Framework Accreditation
Ash Court Care Centre was required to demonstrate how it met eight defined standards, each of which is mandatory to be awarded membership in the framework. These include making provisions to ensure Armed Forces statuses and needs are incorporated into care planning, signposting to relevant charitable and statutory bodies, and signing up to the Armed Forces Covenant.
On confirming that the Ash Court team had met every requirement, the VFF commented on the application’s ‘exceptionally high standard’ and the centre’s ‘hard work and commitment’ in welcoming the VFF team and implementing new training and awareness to upskill staff members.
Amanda Scott, Chief Executive Officer of Forest Healthcare, says, ‘We are very proud to be an officially recognised Veteran Friendly Framework accredited nursing centre and to continue hosting varied events, activities, and community workshops that provide space and time for veterans to share stories as they wish while ensuring every individual is respected, supported, and given proactive help to safeguard their well-being.
Veterans and families who have served in the Armed Forces have often given so much, many of whom have incredible memories and accolades for bravery, sacrifice and courage that might be unknown or forgotten—but that form a vital aspect of a person’s sense of self, lifetime achievements, and the mental and physical scars many experience.
With a solid focus on social interaction, friendships, veteran-friendly events, and connecting veterans with other individuals and groups in the local community, we are committed to continuing our work to ensure that Ash Court and our sister care centres throughout the group are well-equipped to offer holistic support to veterans of every age.’
Forest Healthcare’s Ongoing Efforts to Align With Veteran-Friendly Framework Standards
Alongside progressing towards VFF accreditation at each of the residential centres within the Forest Healthcare group, the care and nursing specialists are continuing to introduce improvements and additional resources that progressively augment and extend the levels of personal support on offer to veterans.
Each care home recognised on the VFF map is considered part of a family and is subject to ongoing reviews in the spirit of partnership to improve care standards for veterans and families across the residential care sector.
Amanda adds, ‘This has been an extraordinary learning process and a chance for us to reflect and see how, as a high-quality, private care team, we can provide new or adapted activities, recognise the contributions veterans have made, and uphold the highest possible standards of care for residents of diverse backgrounds.’
Read more about Forest Healthcare – Forest Healthcare London Care Centre Celebrates Recognition at the Prestigious BBC Make a Difference Awards 2024
About Forest Healthcare
Forest Healthcare is an established care provider dedicated to consistently delivering an outstanding quality of life to the residents they serve. With a network of care centres across South-East England, Forest Healthcare specialises in catering to a wide range of care requirements, including; residential, nursing, dementia and specialist care. The organisation’s mission is to provide a family feel to the exceptional care they deliver by valuing, respecting and caring for each and every person who lives and works at Forest Healthcare.
Media Contact:
Chris Salter
(020) 7250 0156
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Source Company:https://www.foresthc.com
Source published by Submit Press Release >> Ash Court Care Centre, Part of the Forest Healthcare Group, Achieves Veteran Friendly Framework Accreditation