Former members of the Armed Forces in Horden, Peterlee, and across County Durham will benefit from enhanced person-centred care and support after Langley House achieved the standards required for the Veteran Friendly Framework (VFF).

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.

The aim of the VFF is to better support the practical, emotional and social needs of the Armed Forces community, in residential care homes across England, by providing training and resources to assess and improve the care they offer. The VFF aims to 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, Langley House was required to meet eight standards, which included: noting Armed Forces status within care plans, addressing social isolation, and signposting to support services, such as the local Royal British Legion branch, and other charities that provide support for veterans or partners of veterans.

Kirsty Atkinson, Deputy Manager at Langley House said “We are very proud to have become the first care home in the North East to achieve accreditation under the Veteran Friendly Framework. I personally have family in the Armed Forces, so this accomplishment holds personal significance to me. The team is looking forward to our role in assisting our six sister care homes across the North East in preparing to pursue this wonderful accreditation”.

Kathryn Glass, VFF Project Lead at Royal Star & Garter said: “We’re delighted that Langley House has achieved VFF status. This is a great commitment to their continuous improvement in the delivery of person-centred care for veteran residents and their partners. This programme will benefit both current and future residents, along with current and future staff at Langley House, 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. Being a VFF care home means that there is an increased understanding and recognition for the veteran community at Langley House.”

For more information about the Veteran Friendly Framework, visit:

https://veteranfriendlyframework.org.uk