Prestwick Care Receives Ministry of Defence Award for Its Commitment to Supporting Veterans
Prestwick Care has been recognised by the Ministry of Defence for its commitment to supporting veterans, receiving a prestigious Bronze Award under the Employer Recognition Scheme.
As the nation comes together to remember those who have lost their lives in conflict, Prestwick Care is celebrating an important achievement that recognises its ongoing commitment to those who have served in the Armed Forces.
The North East care provider has been awarded Bronze status under the Ministry of Defence’s Employer Recognition Scheme, recognising its efforts to ensure veterans receive the emotional, practical and social support they deserve.
The award follows the achievement of Veteran Friendly status at two Prestwick Care homes – Brunswick House in Gosforth and Bede House in Sunderland – through the Veteran Friendly Framework (VFF).
The Veteran Friendly Framework is a collaboration between Armed Forces charities Royal Star & Garter and the Royal British Legion, alongside the NHS Veterans’ Covenant Healthcare Alliance (VCHA), with funding support from the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust.
Its aim is to improve the support available to the estimated 25,000 veterans living in care homes across England, helping providers better understand and meet their individual needs through specialist training, guidance and resources.
To achieve Veteran Friendly status, Brunswick House and Bede House were required to demonstrate that they met eight key standards. These include recognising and recording Armed Forces service within residents’ care plans, helping to reduce social isolation and ensuring veterans and their families are signposted to relevant support services, including the Royal British Legion and other Armed Forces charities.
Recognising a lifetime of service
Prestwick Care CEO, Bunty Malhotra, said:
“We are delighted to receive this award from the Ministry of Defence.
“As we remember those who have given their lives in the service of our country, it is equally important that we remember the veterans who are still with us and who deserve our care, support and respect every single day of the year.
“At Prestwick Care, we deeply respect their service and achievements. Many speak of the Armed Forces as being like a family, and we go out of our way to ensure that the connections they have with former comrades and their regiments remain as strong as possible.
“We make sure that every one of our veteran residents knows just how grateful we are for everything they have done for us.”
Supporting those who served
At Prestwick Care, we believe that every resident deserves care that recognises them as an individual, including their life experiences, personal history and the things that matter most to them.
For veterans, this means understanding the importance of their military service, respecting the friendships and bonds they have formed and helping them maintain connections with the Armed Forces community.
Receiving the Ministry of Defence Bronze Award is an important recognition of this commitment and reflects Prestwick Care’s continued dedication to providing compassionate, person-centred care.
We are incredibly proud of Brunswick House and Bede House and of everyone across Prestwick Care who helps ensure that those who have served our country continue to receive the respect, recognition and support they deserve.