Remarkable Stories From Cotman House As They Achieve Veteran Friendly Framework Accreditation

The team at Cotman House recently celebrated their newly achieved Veteran Friendly status after successfully gaining accreditation – and enjoying the voyage of discovery!

As part of a group-wide mission by Caring Homes to attain Veteran Friendly Framework (VFF) accreditation, Cotman House Care Home in Felixstowe began their journey and, in the process, uncovered some previously unknown stories, not only from their residents, but also from within their own team.

Working with Felixstowe’s Veteran Community

Home Manager Kirsty Allen and Customer Relations Manager, Chantal Sencier, led the charge at Cotman House and coincidentally, both come from military families. As part of her role, Chantal was already key to connecting Cotman House residents with groups, associations and community veteran organisations including the HMS Ganges Museum at Shotley, Landguard Fort (which was vital to the Dunkirk evacuation in 1940) and Felixstowe Museum. Chantal then extended her network by meeting cadets and the Royal British Legion, and contacting local GPs and hospitals about how they accommodated veterans.

Veterans, Military Wives and Sons in Service at Cotman House

When Kirsty and Chantal embarked on the VFF journey, one of their first tasks was to identify the veterans at Cotman House and they were overwhelmed by the response from residents, their families and team members. Although many veterans were already known to them, Kirsty and Chantal discovered that in total, 27 residents were either veterans or partners of veterans, and it was also interesting to learn that some of the home’s overseas carers have sons currently serving with the British forces.

Once all the veterans had been identified, their care plans were updated accordingly and questions were added to Cotman’s pre-admission questionnaire so that connections could be built even before veteran residents moved in. Every veteran now has a poppy on their door and medals and badges are worn with pride whenever there is a commemorative event. The whole home is lifted, especially those residents who are old enough to remember the impact of war.

What was most revealing about the process was how many people were veterans and hadn’t spoken about it – perhaps due to living with dementia, or a wish for it to remain private. One drove a tank, while another delivered vital weapons to the Russians on a secret naval mission – just a couple of many stories shared at Cotman House, including Chantal’s, whose military connections go back to the first World War.

Heroes of the French Resistance – Chantal’s story

Chantal Sencier’s great-grand parents were both veterans of the French Resistance in World War 1. They met while working as secret agents on the European railway network, transporting information about train cargos and troop movements back to British Intelligence in Rotterdam. The British King awarded Leon Sencier a rare military OBE for his services to the war effort. Chantal’s grandad (pictured) fought in the Spanish Civil War in 1936 and for the Foreign Legion, mainly in North Africa, during WW2. He then joined the Belgian merchant navy as a gunner and settled in England after the war. Following in the family tradition, Chantal’s father joined the army aged 15 at a time when the armed forces offered the chance to learn a trade and see the world. He trained both as a soldier and a radio technician, serving at home and in Germany and Northern Ireland.

Hall of Fame and a VFF Plaque

Learning so much about one another brought the staff and residents at Cotman House closer together. The team loved hearing about the veterans’ experiences, and many veterans were passionate and proud to share their stories. Now, Kirsty and the team have set up a ‘Hall of Fame’ in one of the lounges to celebrate residents and staff who have connections to those who have served.

The VFF accreditation was marked with the unveiling of a plaque by Councillor Lee Reeves - Felixstowe Armed Forces Champion - with representatives from the HMS Ganges Museum and Helena Jeffery, Co-Founder of Caring Homes, joining residents and the team to celebrate the achievement.

Kirsty, Chantal and the team and residents of Cotman House are loyal ambassadors for the Veteran Friendly Framework and the home’s commitment to keeping stories alive and relationships strong – both within the home and in the local community - is something they are extremely proud of.

Discover Cotman House

Cotman House Care Home is situated within the beautiful seaside surroundings of Felixstowe and our environment is matched by the standard of care we deliver, where care is not just a service, but a commitment tailored to every resident. Our focus goes beyond the physical; we extend our care to encompass the unique needs of each individual, whether it's assisting with memory loss, providing specialised dementia care, or offering support with end-of-life care.

At Cotman House, we understand the challenges families face during difficult times, and that's why we take pride in our accreditation for 'End of Life' care. We're here to support not only your loved ones but your entire family through this journey.

Our vibrant and happy home isn't just about the physical space; it's a thriving community. Perfect for those who may be feeling lonely, Cotman House fosters an environment where residents find companionship and joy.