Ivydene honoured for its care for veterans
The team and residents at Sanctuary Care’s Ivydene Residential and Nursing Home in Ivybridge are celebrating after proudly achieving Veteran Friendly Framework (VFF) status.
This prestigious accreditation recognises the not-for-profit home’s unwavering commitment to honouring the unique experiences of veterans in our community, supporting their practical, emotional and social needs.
Leading the team is Home Manager Gary Hood, who himself has a rich military history – he is a former Warrant Officer in the British Army, with 24 years of service. Gary joined the army at the age of 16 and served in the 19th Regiment (The Highland Gunners), Royal Artillery. During his distinguished career, his roles included Physical Training Instructor, Weapons Instructor and Light Gun/AS90 Gunner, where he was actively involved in recruiting and training our next generation of soldiers; finishing his Colour Service as a Sergeant Major, after tours of Germany, Sardinia, Canada, France, Macedonia, Kosovo, Iraq and Afghanistan.
Speaking of the home’s VFF status, Gary said: “I am deeply proud of my military background – this brings invaluable insight for the team here into the experiences veterans have faced, and our passion for supporting our veterans is reflected throughout our home.
“Plymouth has a very high number of veterans compared with other areas of the country, so it is vitally important that we are providing the very best care available, that is bespoke to their unique needs and experiences.
“Our goal is to build a culture of belonging and purpose for veterans at Ivydene, which we hope will become a beacon of veteran support in Plymouth, where their stories are honoured, their needs are met, and their contributions continue to be celebrated.”
As part of this dedication, the team, which currently cares for three veterans, has forged lasting links with local armed forces groups, including the Plymouth Veterans and Family Hub and the Royal British Legion, creating meaningful connections within the home and wider community.
The Sanctuary Care home also runs a regular Veterans’ coffee mornings, alongside the Royal British Legion, where veterans from the local community are welcomed along to spend time with the team, residents, and other community veterans.
Ivydene also has dedicated Veteran Champions - team members who have completed specialist training and now share their knowledge with colleagues to ensure the highest standards of care for veterans and their families.
For more about life at Ivydene, which provides residential, nursing and dementia care, as well as respite care stays, visit Ivydene Care Home I Nursing home in Ivybridge, Plymouth
The VFF is a collaboration between Armed Forces charities Royal Star & Garter, Royal British Legion and NHS Veterans’ Covenant Healthcare Alliance (VCHA).
Kathryn Glass is the VFF Project Lead at Royal Star & Garter and responsible for supporting and assessing care homes going through the scheme. She said: “We’re delighted that Sanctuary Care’s Ivydene Residential and Nursing Home has achieved VFF status. This is a great commitment to their continuous improvement in the delivery of person-centred care for veteran residents and their partners.”
Sanctuary Care has been delivering trusted care to older people for over 25 years. For more information, visit: www.sanctuary-care.co.uk/enriching-lives
