Royal Star & Garter has marked Armed Forces Day at its Homes.
The veterans’ charity held a series of events, activities and outings to mark the day, on Saturday 28 June. Armed Forces Day is an opportunity to show support and thank the people who make up the Armed Forces community, from currently serving personnel to Service families, veterans and cadets.
Some residents were also presented with veterans badges, in recognition of their time in the Armed Forces.
Royal Star & Garter provides loving, compassionate care to veterans and their families, living with disability or dementia, from Homes in Solihull, Surbiton, High Wycombe, and now in Worthing, having recently merged with the military charity Care for Veterans.
The Home in High Wycombe began its celebrations with a visit from Lady Howe, the Lord Lieutenant of Buckinghamshire on Monday 23 June. She spent time chatting to residents and was given a tour of the building, taking in the Home’s in-house physio room, hair salon, activities room and gardens. Lady Howe also helped to raise the Armed Forces Day flag outside. There were lots of activities in the week leading up to Armed Forces Day, including a themed pub quiz, live music, a BBQ and a ‘Pimms’ lunch, visits to the nearby Air Raid Shelter Café and Tea Room, and a party.
At Care for Veterans, Worthing Mayor, Cllr Cathy Glynn-Davies paid a visit on Tuesday 24 June, chatting with residents and taking part in activities. During the week residents also enjoyed arts and crafts activities and a special quiz. Photos of military medals were also put up around the Home’s Wellbeing Hub, for residents to discuss and identify. Worthing RFC, which has selected Care for Veterans as its chosen charity for the year, also held a bucket collection during its Rugby 7s match on Saturday, to raise awareness for Armed Forces Day and the Home.
At Surbiton, celebrations took place on Friday 27 June. It started with the raising of the Armed Forces Day flag outside the Home. Veterans badges were also presented to residents and Day Care users by the charity’s Director of People Kate Silver, before the Royal Marines Benevolent Fundraising Band came and entertained residents.
In Solihull, residents enjoyed a picnic with Royal British Legion members at the nearby Armed Forces Garden on Friday 27 June. The following day, entertainer Debbie Miles sung for residents at the Home, while motorbike group Rolling Thunder paid a visit. Some residents also attended an Armed Forces Day community event in Leamington Spa.
Shirley Hall, Director of Care & Wellbeing at Royal Star & Garter, said afterwards:
“As a charity providing care to veterans and their families, Armed Forces Day is a moment when we can recognise and thank our military family for their service, dedication, integrity and sacrifice. I’m delighted Royal Star & Garter residents enjoyed a wide variety of fun events and activities to mark this special day.”
Royal Star & Garter is welcoming residents into its Homes in Solihull, Surbiton and High Wycombe. For more information on this, its new services or to work for the charity, go to www.starandgarter.org
For more information on Care for Veterans, go to www.careforveterans.org.uk
