Leatherhead care home achieves veteran-friendly status

A care home in Leatherhead has been recognised for its commitment to the armed forces community.

Care UK’s Liberham Lodge, on Rectory Lane, has officially received Veteran Friendly Framework (VFF) status – certifying the enhanced care and support for veterans living at the home.

The VFF initiative was launched in 2023 with the aim of tackling loneliness and isolation and delivering improved health and wellbeing outcomes for over 25,000 veterans living in care homes across England.

To achieve its accreditation, Liberham Lodge was required to meet eight standards, including 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.

The care home has also introduced a range of activities including monthly fish and chip lunches for veterans from Leatherhead and surrounding areas.

Jagpal Singh, General Manager at Liberham Lodge, said: “We’re so proud to have become a VFF-approved care home.

“We pride ourselves on being warm and inclusive to all, so it is important for us to provide the right environment for veterans to thrive here. We’ve learned so much in the process and have already started implementing activities, such as starting an indoor bowls group run by a local veterans group – great fun!

“The entire team has been working tirelessly to achieve the accreditation, and I’d like to say a big thank you to all of them. We’re looking forward to welcoming more veterans from the community into our home.”

Liberham Lodge offers specialist residential, dementia and nursing care in a stunning environment, as well as short term respite care. Designed to enable residents to live active and fulfilled lives, while also promoting independence, the home incorporates plenty of space for leisure activities and hobbies – with its own cinema, pub and hair and beauty salon. The layout of the building has been configured to help facilitate the creation of close-knit communities and encourage social interaction among the residents.