Dovehaven accelerates Veteran Friendly Framework journey with three care homes approved in one week

Dovehaven accelerates Veteran Friendly Framework journey with three care homes approved in one week

Dovehaven is proud to announce that three of its care homes have achieved Veteran Friendly Framework (VFF) status within the space of just one week, reinforcing the organisation’s commitment to providing inclusive, person-centred care for Armed Forces veterans and their families.

Following Brooklands Care Home, which became Dovehaven’s first VFF-approved home last week, Garden Lodge in Liverpool and Manchester House in Southport have now also met the national standards required to be recognised as Veteran Friendly care homes.

The Veteran Friendly Framework supports care homes to better understand and respond to the practical, emotional and social needs of the Armed Forces community. Through specialist training and guidance, the programme helps care teams recognise military service, reduce isolation, and improve health and wellbeing outcomes for veterans living in residential care.

To achieve VFF status, Garden Lodge and Manchester House were required to meet eight key standards. These included identifying Armed Forces status within care planning, taking steps to address loneliness and social isolation, and ensuring residents and families are signposted to relevant support services such as the Royal British Legion and other Armed Forces charities.

Rachel Preston, Home Manager at Manchester House said:

"This VFF recognition reflects the culture we’ve worked hard to build here at Manchester House, one where people feel known, respected and truly cared for. Our team is passionate about understanding each person’s life story, and for our veterans, that means acknowledging their service and the experiences that have shaped them. I’m immensely proud of this achievement, the commitment our team shows every day, and of the environment we’ve created together at Manchester House."

Catherine Ponzini, Home Manager at Garden Lodge said:

“Achieving Veteran Friendly Framework status is something we’re incredibly proud of. The support we’ve been able to provide to our veterans has been truly amazing, and this recognition reflects our ongoing commitment to ensuring veterans and their families feel welcomed, valued, and supported, while recognising the unique skills and experiences they bring to our organisation.”

The Veteran Friendly Framework is a collaboration between Royal Star & Garter, the Royal British Legion and the NHS Veterans’ Covenant Healthcare Alliance (VCHA), with funding support from the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust.

Kathryn Glass, VFF Project Lead at Royal Star & Garter, said:

“We’re delighted that Garden Lodge and Manchester House have 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 Garden Lodge and Manchester 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 Garden Lodge and Manchester House."

Achieving Veteran Friendly status across three homes in such a short period reflects Dovehaven’s wider commitment to recognising the service of veterans and ensuring their experiences are understood, respected and celebrated within care settings.

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