Maidenhead care home achieves veteran-friendly status

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

Care UK’s Clara Court, on Courthouse Road, 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, Clara Court 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 and their partners.

The care home has also introduced a range of activities including celebrating VE Day, in support of the Royal British Legion. They even went the extra mile by bringing in an army jeep to the home to make the day extra special.

Gladys Chironga, General Manager at Clara Court, 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.

“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.”

Clara Court, rated ‘outstanding’ by the Care Quality Commission, is a modern and welcoming care home designed to deliver the very best standards of care and to enable residents to live active and fulfilled lives. The home offers residential and specialist dementia care, as well as respite care, and has its own activities room, shop and hair and beauty salon.