We are delighted to announce that Springfield Manor Care Home has officially been awarded Veteran Friendly Framework (VFF) accreditation —the first home within the Highgate Care group to earn the prestigious status.
The accreditation recognises Springfield Manor’s exceptional commitment to supporting veterans and members of the Armed Forces community living within the home and across the local area. Delivered in partnership with the Royal British Legion, Royal Star & Garter and the Veterans Covenant Healthcare Alliance, the VFF programme helps care homes provide tailored emotional, social and practical support for veterans.
The achievement follows months of dedicated work from the Springfield Manor team, who have embedded veteran-focused initiatives into daily life at the home. A standout moment was the home’s recent Veteran Week — a week-long celebration honouring local veterans through meaningful activities, community engagement and remembrance events.
As part of Veteran Week, resident veterans enjoyed a special visit to The Spitfire Gallery at The Potteries Museum, giving residents the opportunity to reconnect with memories, share stories and celebrate their service history. Springfield Manor also welcomed organisations including Tri Services and Veteran Support Services into the home, helping strengthen links between residents and the wider veteran community.
The home has continued to champion veteran wellbeing through commemorative events, reminiscence activities and creating safe spaces where veterans feel recognised, valued and understood.
Rebecca Jones, Home Manager at Springfield Manor, said:
“Achieving Veteran Friendly Framework status is an incredibly proud moment for Springfield Manor and a landmark achievement for Highgate Care. As someone who has served in the Armed Forces myself, I understand how important identity, camaraderie and recognition are for veterans later in life.
“Our team has worked passionately to create an environment where veterans feel truly supported, respected and connected to their experiences and communities. Seeing the impact this has had on our residents throughout Veteran Week and beyond has been incredibly special, and we are proud to lead the way for Highgate Care.”
Joanne Fogg, Managing Director at Highgate Care, added:
“Springfield Manor achieving Veteran Friendly Framework status is a hugely proud moment for everyone at Highgate Care and an important milestone for our organisation. It reflects not only the dedication of the team at Springfield Manor, but also our wider commitment to supporting veterans across our homes and local communities.
“At Highgate Care, ‘Kindness Is Key’ is something that we embody in everything we do. We are passionate about creating environments where people feel recognised, respected and genuinely cared for. The incredible work taking place at Springfield Manor demonstrates exactly what compassionate, community-focused care should look like, and we hope this is the first of many homes across our group to achieve this important accreditation.”
The VFF accreditation requires homes to meet a series of standards, including recognising Armed Forces status within care planning, reducing social isolation and building relationships with veteran charities and support organisations.
Springfield Manor’s achievement reflects Highgate Care’s wider commitment to delivering person-centred care that enriches lives, builds community connections and ensures every resident feels valued and supported.