Lightbowne Hall celebrates Veteran Friendly status

The first non-military care home in the country to achieve Veteran Friendly Framework (VFF) status held a celebratory event featuring a singer and drummers from armed forces charity the Soldiers’, Sailors’ and Airmen’s Families Association (SSAFA). 

Lightbowne Hall in Moston, Manchester, worked through the national programme and achieved Veteran Friendly Framework status in November last year. 
 
The celebratory event took place at the home on Thursday 7 March with a buffet lunch followed by a performance by singer Paul Bryant, - who regularly performs at Lightbowne Hall and is popular with residents - drummers from SSAFA and a presentation by Anchor’s Managing Director of Care Services Rob Martin. 
 
Representatives from 202 Field Squadron 75 Engineers Regiment attended to celebrate with residents and colleagues. Care home manager Rebecca Mardy said:

My team at Lightbowne Hall worked incredibly hard to identify our veterans and provide training resources to better support colleagues with the aim of creating a veteran friendly culture. 

This also addresses social isolation and helps to signpost to the range of statutory and charitable services available for veterans. 

We are proud to say that we understand the social, emotional and physical needs of our veterans and the impact their military service has had on their experience of life, work, family and physical and mental health. 

This understanding means we can deliver even better care for them.

VFF Project Lead Kathryn Glass said:

The VFF team is extremely proud that Anchor’s Lightbowne Hall has achieved Veteran Friendly status. This is a testament to their hard work and commitment to understanding the specific needs of their veteran residents and providing the very best care.

The celebratory event they held was wonderful and it brought immense joy to everyone at the home.

Anchor’s Managing Director of Care Services Rob Martin said:

I know how hard everyone at the home worked to get to this point and I know how proud they are to have achieved Veteran Friendly status on behalf of their residents, who can only benefit from it. 

The home’s celebration event was a fantastic day for everyone involved. 

I have a military background and served with 40 Regiment Royal Artillery for seven years developing some of my earliest leadership skills in Bosnia as part of the NATO peacekeeping force (SFOR).

Lightbowne Hall in Manchester is a contemporary residential care home set in modern and comfortable surroundings. Meticulously finished to a very high standard, Lightbowne Hall offers first class care and facilities with en-suite rooms for up to 52 residents, in a light, spacious and elegant setting. To find out more, click here.