Mellish House Team Delighted To Be Awarded Veteran Friendly Status

We’re proud to announce that Mellish House is the latest of our care homes to gain Veteran Friendly accreditation after fantastic work by the team in following all the required steps.

Caring Homes has committed to achieving Veteran Friendly status as a group and we’re well on the way to our goal, with over 50% of our eligible care homes already accredited by the Veteran Friendly Framework (VFF) and the final cohort making great progress.

An Opportunity to Learn

Wellbeing Coordinator, Chris, is the Veteran Champion at Mellish House Residential Home and has embraced the training he received during the accreditation process which gave him insight into what he describes as “the modern day struggles that people who have served in the armed forces can face”. Chris explained, “I learned how to address areas that can have a negative impact on veterans’ lives and it was also really helpful to understand the various sources of support that exist for care workers”.

Veteran Residents Recognised and Respected

Mellish House is currently home to two veteran residents. George completed his national service in the British Army on a posting to Berlin and was a member of the Suffolk 1st Regiment between 1958 and 1959. George likes to talk about his past and has previously marked Remembrance Day by attaching poppy stickers to his window. Michael attended the HMS Ganges naval cadet training school in 1960-62, then went on to work at the Royal Navy’s operational and repair hub in Plymouth. Both Michael and George have photo albums which hold many memories and George is especially proud of a picture which shows him as a dashing young cadet. A discreet poppy symbol is now displayed outside the doors to both their rooms – a sign of recognition and respect.

VFF Journey Shared with the Whole Home

As the home engaged with the VFF process, Home Manager, Khala, also found value in learning new approaches – for example, asking individuals if they have ever served in the armed forces, rather than asking if they are a veteran, since few people identify as such. Khala added, “I learned that supporting veterans isn't just about clinical or professional care, it’s about understanding the transition challenges experienced, such as a loss of identity or the language gap between military and civilian life”.

Between them, Chris and Khala have been bringing the whole home on a journey, sharing what they have learned with their colleagues so that everyone is aware of the principles behind the VFF. This includes the importance of engaging with residents to learn about their life history – part of getting to know every individual, but which can be especially significant for those who have served.

The accreditation process has made a huge impression on both Chris and Khala, and Khala reflected, “I found the course incredibly moving. Feeling that emotional connection made the learning feel less like a mandatory task and more like a personal commitment to do better. It left me feeling excited and empowered to be an advocate for the armed forces community within my team”.

Veteran-Focused Events for the Local Community

Now that Mellish House has achieved veteran friendly status, Chris is keen to host regular monthly events for men and women from the armed forces which will be open to the wider community, as well as continuing to connect with local veteran-focused groups. An event organised on 14^th May to celebrate the anniversary of VE Day has been planned as a way of sharing the home’s VFF journey, and also as a relaxed, sociable gathering for residents, their families and members of the local community who would like to come together to mark the occasion.

A Place to Feel at Home

When you’re searching for the right place for a loved one living with dementia or needing palliative care, you want reassurance that they’ll be safe, comfortable and surrounded by people who truly care. At Mellish House Residential Home in Sudbury, Suffolk, we provide a warm, homely environment where every day is filled with meaning, comfort and connection.

Residents enjoy a wide range of engaging activities, from reminiscence sessions and visits to local attractions to our much-loved café where families can relax together. At Mellish House, life continues to be celebrated and every moment matters.

Call us today on 01787 320 685