Natasha with veterans care home resident Phil McEvitt

A Salford veterans care home that has looked after the armed forces for more than 100 years has won a gold award.

Broughton House Veteran Care Village, which has been open since 1916, has achieved the highest honour available under the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme.

The care home received the award for its exceptional commitment to supporting the armed forces community.

The award was won for displaying forces-friendly HR recruiting and selection processes, as well as encouraging others to do the same.

The home was also recognised for promoting the Armed Forces Covenant to its networks and supporting the cadet movement.

Broughton House is one of193 recipients of the gold status, alongside brands such as Google, B&Q and Expedia.com.

It was also thr first care home in the north to be accredited as Veteran Aware by the Veterans Covenant Healthcare Alliance.

Karen Miller, chief executive of Broughton House, said: “We have a long and proud history of caring for veterans from the north west and beyond.

Broughton House chief executive Karen Miller proud of the gold award - via Broughton House
Broughton House chief executive Karen Miller proud of the gold award – via Broughton House

“It is extremely pleasing for us to be now recognised for employing and supporting veterans, reservists and their relatives.”

She continued: “The gold award demonstrates our commitment in this regard and we hope our achievement will inspire others to follow suit.”

Karen served as an officer in the Intelligence Corps and in the Territorial Army with the Royal Welsh Fusiliers, and went onto add the importance of having veterans on the team, as she said: “Having veterans as part of our team is crucial to Broughton House and our residents’ particular needs.

“This creates an element of familiarity for our residents, as they have people looking after them who understand them, their routines and their past lives without having to explain themselves.”

The familiarity of employing veterans, reservists and their relatives at the care home has been successful for the care home, and employed people like former reserve army nurse Natasha Eardley-Dutton.

Natasha is the home’s first dedicated Admiral Nurse, which is a specialist dementia role.

A general view of Broughton House that has been awarded gold - via Broughton House
A general view of Broughton House that has been awarded gold – via Broughton House

 

Broughton House stages events to mark significant military anniversaries, hosting visits by cadets, reservists and other groups.

It also serves as a museum, which celebrates the heroics of many of the veterans it has cared for since it opened in 1916.

Featured image shows Natasha with Broughton House resident Phil McEvitt – via Broughton House

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *