East Grinstead care home marches ahead with veteran-friendly status

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

Care UK’s Mill View, on Sunnyside Close, officially received Veteran Friendly Framework (VFF) status to certify 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 more than 25,000 veterans living in care homes across England.

To achieve its accreditation, Mill View was required to meet eight standards, including recording 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 help for veterans and their partners.

The care home has also introduced a range of activities, including monthly veteran-friendly roast lunches, for those from East Grinstead and the surrounding areas.

Trish Banks, Home Manager at Mill View, said: “We're thrilled to have become a VFF-approved care home. It helps ensure veterans living here, as well as those in the wider community, feel valued, recognised and supported.

“Many residents have fascinating service histories and, through this framework, we can celebrate those experiences while helping them access the right care, support and connections. We’ve learnt so much throughout the process and have already started introducing new initiatives, such as poppy wreath making with the local school.

“Achieving this accreditation has been a real team effort, and I’d like to thank everyone involved. We look forward to welcoming more veterans from the community into our home.”

Mill View has been designed to deliver the very best standards of care and enable residents to lead active and fulfilling lives. The home provides full-time residential, nursing and specialist dementia care, as well as short-term respite care. It features state-of-the-art facilities including a cinema, hair and beauty salon and pub.