Edinburgh care home achieves veteran-friendly status for second year running

A care home in Edinburgh has been recognised for its commitment to the armed forces community for a second consecutive year. 

Care UK’s Murrayside, on South Beechwood in Corstorphine, has been awarded Veteran Friendly Framework (VFF) status – certifying the enhanced care and support for veterans living at the home.

The VFF initiative was launched in 2023 to address loneliness and isolation, delivering improved health and wellbeing outcomes for more than 25,000 veterans residing in care homes across England.

To achieve its accreditation, Murrayside – the one care home in Scotland to receive ‘Veteran Friendly’ status – 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 help for veterans and their partners. 

Since achieving its status in 2025, the care home team has built relationships with veteran charities, hosted veteran coffee mornings and remembrance events for the armed forces community.

The team recently hosted a veterans coffee morning following Armed Forces Day in June, welcoming residents from other Edinburgh care homes, along with local police representatives, the local MP and the Lord Provost.

Resident Ruth Sheard, 93, said: “It’s fantastic to have these events; it’s important to keep the memories alive.”

Suzanne Welsh, Home Manager at Murrayside, said: “Achieving VFF accreditation for the second year is a huge achievement. As the only care home in Scotland to receive this recognition, we are incredibly proud of the whole team. 

“To receive praise for the activities and events we hold at Murrayside is the highest compliment, and we will continue to honour the remarkable lives of residents who have served and provide them with the right care and connections.”

Murrayside care home, which provides full-time residential, nursing and dementia care, has been specially designed to support residents in leading active and fulfilling lives, while also promoting independence. It incorporates plenty of space for leisure activities and hobbies, and has its own cinema, hair and beauty salon and pub.