Upton Dene achieves Veteran Friendly status!

The team and residents at our Chester home are delighted to have achieved Veteran Friendly status.

Upton Dene Residential and Nursing Home is one of a number of our homes to be awarded Veteran Friendly Framework (VFF) status, in recognition of the team’s dedication to supporting the practical, emotional and social needs of the armed forces community.

As part of their commitment the team, who currently care for six veterans, established close links with local armed forces community groups, creating lasting bonds and friendships.

They ensure that any external healthcare professionals who see their residents are fully aware of their service status, discreetly placing knitted poppies outside their bedroom doors to remind visitors.

The home also has dedicated champions, who have undertaken specialist training, which they then use to train their colleagues on how to provide the very best support to their veterans and their loved ones.

One of those is Team Leader Clare Moynihan, who has worked at Upton Dene for nearly nine years. Clare is herself an army veteran, having served for nine years, including posts in Kosovo, Macedonia and Albani, reaching the rank of Sergeant.

Clare said: “I jumped at the opportunity to become a VFF champion. I can personally relate to the hardships whilst serving and when you leave the Army and trying to fit in living and working alongside civilians. Upton Dene is the only place I have worked since leaving the Army. I had a career break to raise our family, so I had adjusted to civilian life, however adjusting to a different work ethos and completely new career was a challenge. Residents moving into a care setting experience that more and for those who are ex-services, for them it will feel like a new posting.” 

Home manager Yvette Alexopoulos, said: “We are so proud of our VFF status and what it means for Upton Dene and the amazing veterans we are privileged to care for. We are passionate about enriching the lives of all our residents, and a huge part of that is understanding their life histories so we can not only support them to thrive, but fully appreciate the experiences that have shaped their lives.” 

For more about life at Upton Dene, our Enquiry Support Team are here to help on 0800 331 7411.