A veteran care village is launching free weekly drop-in sessions offering advice and support for former armed forces personnel living in the community with dementia, their carers and families.
The coffee, cake and conversation sessions at Broughton House Veteran Care Village in Salford will be led by newly appointed specialist Admiral Nurse Jacqui Hodgson.
Jacqui has strong personal connections to the armed forces – her son Damian served with the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers for seven years, and her grandfather fought in the British Army during World War II.
The drop-in sessions will take place from 11am to 4pm every Wednesday, starting on June 24, and are open to all veterans, their family members and carers, whether they are living with dementia or would like more information about the condition.
Jacqui joined Broughton House in 2023 as a household manager before taking on her new role as Admiral Nurse.
She brings nearly 40 years’ experience in health and social care across the NHS, community services and care homes, including senior roles helping to develop dementia care services.
In her role as Admiral Nurse, Jacqui supports staff specialising in dementia care, works closely with residents’ families, and provides outreach advice and guidance to veterans in the wider community and their loved ones.
Her role is supported by the Albert Gubay Charitable Foundation, with specialist training and backing from Dementia UK.
Jacqui said:
“My aim is to make life easier and less overwhelming for everyone involved, helping people feel supported, informed and less alone.
“I work with those living with dementia, their families and carers to help them understand the condition and provide practical advice on managing day-to-day challenges, from memory loss and behavioural changes to the emotional impact and coping strategies.
“The role also involves working with other professionals to ensure people receive the right help at the right time.
“I am also passionate about educating others about dementia and working to reduce stigma by challenging misconceptions and encouraging more compassionate, informed attitudes towards those living with the condition.
“I hope the drop-in sessions prove valuable to our residents, their families and people in the community who are navigating their own dementia journeys.”
Karen Miller, chief executive of Broughton House, said:
“With a growing need for dementia care among veterans, we are very pleased to appoint Jacqui as our Admiral Nurse.
“Jacqui’s many years of experience supporting people living with dementia will strengthen the care we provide at Broughton House, while also helping us extend our reach to veterans and their families across the wider Greater Manchester community.
“Broughton House remains dedicated to meeting the ever-changing needs of veterans and their families and, with Jacqui’s appointment, we’re ensuring more veterans have the opportunity to live well with dignity in their later years.”
Broughton House has cared for more than 8,000 veterans since it opened its doors to the ex-service community in 1916. It is the only home in the north west offering veteran-specific residential, nursing, specialist dementia and respite care.
Following redevelopment, it is now a 64-bed care home, with two 16-bed households dedicated to veterans with dementia and six independent living apartments.
