Forest Healthcare Centre, Grace Manor, Latest in the Network to Achieve Veteran Friendly Framework Member Status
05/14/2025, Borehamwood WD6 1EP // PRODIGY: Feature Story //
Grace Manor Care Centre, a private 24-hour nursing home in Gillingham that is part of the respected Forest Healthcare network, has confirmed that it has successfully achieved accreditation through the Veteran Friendly Framework (VFF). The centre is now able to claim the title of a Veteran Friendly Care Home—the most recent centre in the group to complete the process.
The VFF is a collaboration between the Royal British Legion (RBL), the Veterans Covenant Healthcare Alliance, and Royal Star & Garter. Its goal is to encourage care centres to improve health and well-being outcomes for the approximate 25,000 veterans currently living in English care facilities.
The Importance of Veteran Friendly Framework Accreditation for Grace Manor Care Centre
Forest Healthcare has already committed to becoming VFF accredited across several other of its high-quality care centres. Grace Manor is the latest to concentrate on developing support systems and training resources for carers to ensure the needs, well-being, and happiness of veterans are a focal aspect of personalised care planning.
Research conducted by the RBL found that around 8% of all care home residents in England and Wales, excluding partners and spouses, have served and that concerted efforts are needed to ensure they receive acknowledgement and additional support.
The charitable organisation has identified challenges associated with varied emotional and physical needs, the impacts of military duties on the lives of older adults, and the key importance of recognising and understanding how best to ensure Armed Forces community members receive acknowledgement, access to community groups, and connection with other veterans.
To apply for VFF accreditation, care centres must submit an application demonstrating their adherence with eight standards. They must, for example, provide evidence of provisions that will ensure care home residents with Armed Forces status are recognised and their needs incorporated into care plans, sign up to the Armed Forces Covenant, and ensure there are signposting policies in place to connect residents with charitable and statutory support services.
Grace Manor Care Centre's Pathway to Achieving VFF Membership
While many private care centres may have a proportion of veteran residents, VFF membership was particularly important for Grace Manor Care Centre.
The care home is close to several military bases and barracks, past and present, including closed bases such as HMS Pembroke, the Royal Naval Barracks, which opened in 1902 and is now part of the Universities of Medway, and the Royal Marine Barracks based at Gun Wharf Chatham, which closed in 1950.
Several other meaningful bases or military installations remain near Grace Manor, including the Royal Engineers Museum located within Kent town and the Royal School of Military Engineering, which has a campus in Brompton built along the remains of the Chatham Dockyard Great Lines and remains active today.
Although the veteran proportion of the population in Kent is around the average for England and Wales, there is a high likelihood of dedicated nursing centres in and around these specific areas to welcome residents with an Armed Forces background.
Commenting on the application from Grace Manor Care Centre, the VFF mentioned that it was of an 'exceptionally high standard' and represented a commitment to 'forging some meaningful connections' with the local Armed Forces community and healthcare services.
Celebrating Veteran Friendly Framework Accreditation at Grace Manor
Gabriele Jerome, Manager of Grace Manor said, ' It was wonderful to receive confirmation of our accreditation and our Veteran Friendly Framework Certificate, which is now proudly displayed in the centre. Enormous thanks go to our talented, dedicated, and compassionate care teams, who embraced the opportunity to reinforce and enhance their learning about how best to support our veteran residents and embarked on this project with such enthusiasm.
The accreditation process gave us a fantastic chance to access new educational resources, identify local services and communities that can enhance the quality of life for veterans, and look at new ways to ensure Armed Forces status residents are recognised and supported and that their military history is recorded as an integral part of care planning.'
Grace Manor Care Centre is one of six Forest Healthcare centres now officially recognised as VFF Friendly. Belmont Lodge in Chigwell, Essex, Ash Court in Camden, London, Bridgeside Lodge in Islington, London, The Poplars in Maidstone, and Pinehurst in Crowthorne, Berkshire, are also featured on the VFF Status Care Home Map published online through the Veteran Friendly Framework.
Read more about Forest Healthcare - Forest Healthcare Network's The Grange Care Centre Scoops Prestigious Accolade in CareHome.co.uk Awards
About Forest Healthcare
Forest Healthcare is an established care provider dedicated to consistently delivering an outstanding quality of life to the residents they serve. With a network of care centres across South-East England, Forest Healthcare specialises in catering to a wide range of care requirements, including; residential, nursing, dementia and specialist care. The organisation's mission is to provide a family feel to the exceptional care they deliver by valuing, respecting and caring for each and every person who lives and works at Forest Healthcare.
Media Contact:
Chris Salter
(020) 7250 0156
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time Business News
10 hours ago
- Time Business News
Nurturing Young Minds Through Language: The Power of Bilingual Daycare in Early Childhood Development
In today's increasingly globalized world, bilingualism is no longer just a desirable skill—it's an essential one. From improved cognitive development to increased cultural awareness, the benefits of early exposure to a second language are both immediate and long-lasting. For families in Houston, choosing a daycare that incorporates language learning into its curriculum can be a game-changer. That's why more parents are turning to trusted providers like ABC Daycare Houston—a top-rated Bilingual Daycare known for its nurturing environment and holistic approach to early childhood education. Research shows that children who are exposed to more than one language at an early age develop stronger problem-solving skills, better memory retention, and greater empathy toward other cultures. In a bilingual daycare setting, language learning isn't treated as a separate subject—it's embedded in everyday activities. This natural, immersive approach helps children develop fluency in both languages without even realizing they're learning. Benefits of bilingual daycare include: Enhanced Brain Development : Studies indicate that bilingual children have more flexible thinking and superior executive function skills. : Studies indicate that bilingual children have more flexible thinking and superior executive function skills. Improved Academic Performance : Early exposure to a second language correlates with higher performance in reading, writing, and math later on. : Early exposure to a second language correlates with higher performance in reading, writing, and math later on. Cultural Appreciation : Learning a new language often includes understanding different traditions, holidays, and perspectives, broadening a child's worldview. : Learning a new language often includes understanding different traditions, holidays, and perspectives, broadening a child's worldview. Stronger Communication Skills: Kids become more adept at switching between languages and communicating with a wider range of people. For parents seeking these benefits, finding a quality bilingual learning environment is key. One of the most effective methods for fostering bilingualism in young children is through Spanish immersion. Unlike traditional classrooms that might only offer Spanish once or twice a week, a Spanish Immersion Daycare provides a fully immersive experience where Spanish is spoken throughout the day. This constant exposure helps children absorb vocabulary and grammar in the most natural way possible—through play, storytelling, music, and conversation. ABC Daycare Houston's Spanish immersion program is designed to cater to both native English and Spanish speakers, ensuring that each child is supported and challenged at the right level. Teachers are fluent in Spanish and trained in early childhood education, combining linguistic skills with a deep understanding of how young children learn best. Language learning is just one aspect of ABC Daycare Houston's comprehensive early education philosophy. The center also emphasizes social, emotional, and physical development to ensure every child thrives. Their daily routines include: Creative Play : Encouraging imagination through art, dress-up, building blocks, and more. : Encouraging imagination through art, dress-up, building blocks, and more. Outdoor Activities : Promoting physical health and motor skills through guided play and exploration. : Promoting physical health and motor skills through guided play and exploration. Literacy Time : Reading books in both English and Spanish to build vocabulary and comprehension. : Reading books in both English and Spanish to build vocabulary and comprehension. Cultural Enrichment : Celebrating cultural events and traditions to foster inclusivity and curiosity. : Celebrating cultural events and traditions to foster inclusivity and curiosity. Nutritious Meals: Providing healthy, balanced meals to support growing bodies and minds. Each activity is thoughtfully designed to reinforce language skills while supporting the overall development of the child. What sets ABC Daycare Houston apart is their commitment to providing a safe, inclusive, and enriching environment for children. With small class sizes, experienced staff, and a warm community feel, parents can rest assured that their children are not only learning but also enjoying their day in a secure and loving setting. Key reasons families choose ABC Daycare include: Certified and Caring Staff : Educators who are passionate about bilingual learning and child development. : Educators who are passionate about bilingual learning and child development. Engaging Curriculum : Lessons and activities designed to be both fun and educational. : Lessons and activities designed to be both fun and educational. Safe Environment : Adherence to the highest standards of cleanliness, security, and care. : Adherence to the highest standards of cleanliness, security, and care. Parent Communication: Regular updates and open lines of communication to keep families informed and involved. Bilingual education is an investment in your child's future—and there's no better time to start than during the early years. By enrolling your child in a bilingual or Spanish Immersion Daycare, you're giving them a strong foundation for academic success, cultural awareness, and lifelong communication skills. If you're looking for a trusted, high-quality bilingual daycare in Houston, we encourage you to explore the offerings at ABC Daycare Houston. Their experienced team is ready to welcome your child into a vibrant, supportive environment where learning and language go hand in hand. TIME BUSINESS NEWS
Yahoo
a day ago
- Yahoo
'My children are too anxious for school - please help me get them educated'
A woman whose children have been off school for a long period due to acute anxiety has pleaded for help to get them back into full-time education. Beverly Craig said her son Casey, 14, and 12-year-old daughter Autumn "go into meltdown" anytime they go near school so they have been off for months on end. One leading mental health consultant said "school-based anxiety" is "off the Richter scale" in Northern Ireland after BBC News NI learned that thousands of children had missed more than a tenth of school days in the current academic year. The Department of Education (DE) said increasing pupil attendance was an "ongoing challenge" and "not unique to Northern Ireland". The Children's Commissioner Chris Quinn is so concerned about the high levels of "emotionally based school avoidance" that he has instructed his officials to investigate the phenomenon. Some of the main causes cited are anxiety, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism and bullying, either physical or online. One politician alone, the SDLP assembly member Cara Hunter, said she is in touch with 200 families across Northern Ireland who have children who will not attend class. More than 4,000 pupils with the very highest rates of absenteeism are currently referred to specialists for help but it is unclear how many of these are linked to "emotionally based school avoidance". Ms Craig said Casey has not been at school since Easter of last year and Autumn has been off since September. Both are enrolled at Laurel Hill Community College in Lisburn. The 44-year-old single mother said they find the secondary school environment "overwhelming". "It ranges from not being able to eat, not being able to sleep, having just a complete meltdown trying to get through the doors, crying," she said. "Didn't want to get out of bed, didn't want to get dressed, didn't want to get in the car - you had these four or five challenges even before you've got to the school doors, and then teachers are expecting them just to walk in and continue with their day as normal." She said offers of reduced timetables or "time-out" passes, whilst well-intentioned, actually made her children feel worse. "I just feel like the secondary school setting is not suitable for every child and, unfortunately, the alternative to the secondary school doesn't exist," Ms Craig said. "We're not in 1925 anymore, we're in 2025 and the school system has not changed." She said education authorities need to offer more help to people like her and her children. Ms Craig is now paying out of her own pocket to get them schooled in English and mathematics in a private setting. "It's not that they don't want to learn," she said. "Both of them are very intelligent and they're willing to learn, but they're willing to learn in the right settings, just not a big school." Omagh-based mental health consultant Bronagh Starrs believes Northern Ireland is facing an "epidemic" of school-based anxiety. She said many of these children are academically capable and want to go to school, but cannot. "They just have catastrophic levels of fear around going to school, they just think of the worst possible scenarios." She added: "The difference between truancy and this phenomenon is that parents are usually aware, or very aware, of the issue and are actively trying to help the young person. "These kids have genuine psychological struggles to attend school." She said schoolchildren had become "entrenched" during the Covid-19 pandemic and associated lockdowns, when they had to stay at home, and then struggled when schools opened up again. Ms Starrs said the issue is now "off the Richter scale in terms of the extent of this phenomenon in every school". SDLP assembly member Cara Hunter described it as the biggest issue she has dealt with since being elected to Stormont five years ago. She said a lot of young people are waiting on an autism or ADHD assessment and feel the school environment is "anxiety-inducing". It was also very distressing for parents who "don't know where to go for guidance", she added. "I've spoken with a number of parents who've actually had to leave their job because their child is not attending school, so it's a massive issue across Northern Ireland. "We have a big problem here." Hunter also accused education authorities of "failing quite a large number of children" because they have not recognised the severity of the problem. Of the 4,120 children referred to the Education and Welfare Service, more than a third are currently on a waiting list, the Education Authority (EA) confirmed. Children's Commissioner Chris Quinn said the high rates of "school avoidance" - and understanding why so many children are involved - are "a top priority" for his office. He said they were "exploring issues related to anxiety-based school avoidance, impact of poverty, ill health, long-term impact of Covid-19 and bullying". "We need to understand why these children and young people are not returning to school and explore whether their support needs are being met," he added. "Additionally, with fewer educational psychologists in schools and the increasing impact of mental health issues, particularly since Covid, we must do more to support children and young people's wellbeing." The Education and Welfare Service (EWS) currently receives an average of 300 referrals every month from schools about children who are not attending class, although the causes can range from emotional-based school avoidance to physical health, domestic abuse and drug and alcohol issues. From 2019 to May 2025, nearly 500 parents or guardians were prosecuted by the Education Authority for keeping their children from school without a valid excuse. Previous figures from the Department of Education (DE) show there was a significant rise in school absences after the Coronavirus pandemic and lockdowns. The DE said it recognised that "attitudes towards regular school attendance have changed since the Covid-19 pandemic and that some children and young people face challenges that make regular attendance at school difficult". Officials said regular attendances had actually improved in the last three years and help was available through emotional health and wellbeing programmes. If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this article, information about help and support is available via BBC Action Line. 'I was crying, screaming and shouting in the car'
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
BBC tells parents: Speak to your child in mother tongue before English
BBC parenting advice tells families to speak to children in their mother tongue before using English. The broadcaster has launched a new service, called CBeebies Parenting, to support families raising young children. It offers advice on subjects such as buying nappies, reading bedtime stories, cooking meals , and accessing child benefit payments. And its advice on developing language skills urges parents to use their preferred language before English. In an instructional video, Monal Gajjar, a speech and language therapist, says: 'Generally, we encourage parents to talk to their child in the language they are most competent in, their social language. 'So if Bengali is your home language, then use that language with your children.' Ms Gajjar explains that this will help the children build a relationship with their family, and provide a solid foundation for 'an additional language, such as English'. The BBC material explains that it 'is increasingly common for one parent to speak one language and another parent to speak another language' and for them to use 'a common language such as English … to interact with each other'. Additional videos offer insights into introducing children to speaking Polish, Urdu, Punjabi and Gujarati. The launch of this material on the CBeebies Parenting website comes after the 2021 census revealed that 8.9 per cent of people in England and Wales speak a language other than English as their main language. It also comes amid concerns that too many migrants do not have a good grasp of English. Last month, Sir Keir Starmer unveiled plans to make sure migrants speak fluent English if they want to remain in Britain. The level of English required is to be raised from the equivalent of GCSE to the equivalent of A Level. The BBC's guidance takes into account increased levels of bilingualism. Case studies are offered in a Parenting Life section that cover 'raising a multicultural, multilingual child' and 'LGBTQ+ adoption'. Advice is offered on how to create meals on a tight budget, and how to manage screen time for young children, noting that 'there can be benefits to your child's screen time'. The BBC will also offer a Cbeebies Parenting WhatsApp service which parents can contact for advice Patricia Hidalgo, the BBC director of children's and education, said: 'We know parents and carers love the support they get from CBeebies as a safe space for their small children to learn through play. 'And we also know becoming a parent can be an overwhelming time when it comes to finding the right advice. 'So, we wanted to help parents and carers to find expert advice and support in one place from when they are parents-to-be, right through to when their little ones are starting school. We have everything they need to build the virtual village it takes to raise a child.' CBeebies Parenting will offer a Parenting Helpline podcast hosted by celebrity parents Holly Hagan-Blyth, known for starring in Geordie Shore, and Charlie Hedges. Videos on the CBeebies Parenting site include a number of testimonials from other celebrities, including Joe Wicks and Dani Dyer, talking through their approach to raising children. In September, Baroness Benjamin, who as Floella Benjamin pioneered BBC children's TV, will guest star in a new title for youngsters, CBeebies House. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
