[Image above: Aden Mount Care Home resident Rodney Coates, 78, and John Rogers, 88]

By Kirklees Armed Forces TV –

Two Huddersfield care homes have been awarded ‘Veteran Friendly’ status, recognising their commitment to providing enhanced care and support for veterans.

Aden Mount Care Home and Aden View Care Home, both located on Perseverance Street in Primrose Hill, have received accreditation under the Veteran Friendly Framework (VFF) scheme.

The VFF initiative, launched in 2023, aims to combat loneliness and isolation among veterans while improving health and well-being outcomes for the more than 25,000 former service personnel living in care homes across England.

The scheme 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.

Celebrating Veteran-Friendly Status

Staff, residents, and veterans at the Hill Care Group-operated homes have been celebrating their VFF accreditation with friends and family since receiving their certificates.

Among those benefiting from the initiative are Aden View resident John Rogers and Aden Mount resident Rodney Coates, both of whom have long and distinguished military backgrounds.

John Rogers, 88, served as a Gunner in the Royal Artillery Regiment of the British Army between 1958 and 1960 as part of his national service.

He later spent three years in the Army Emergency Reserve at Barford Camp in County Durham, where he helped develop officer training schemes.

Rodney Coates, 78, joined the 1st Battalion of the Duke of Wellington’s Yorkshire Regiment at the age of 17. He served on tours in Germany, Cyprus, and Hong Kong, reaching the rank of Lance Corporal.

He later transferred to the Royal Army Ordnance Corps and the Parachute Regiment, earning his wings and completing tours in the Gulf and Northern Ireland.

His extensive military career included roles as a radio operator detachment commander for the 216th Parachute Signal Squadron and as an instructor at the prestigious Royal Military Academy Sandhurst.

After his time in the Army, Rodney ran his own events company, supplying marquees for major clients, including Yorkshire Television.

John Rogers (back, far right) during his time in the Royal Artillery Regiment between 1958-61.

Commitment to Veteran Care

Michelle Hosley, Manager at Aden Mount Care Home, expressed pride in the home’s new accreditation.

“We are so proud to become part of the VFF. Working through the programme has given us a much greater understanding of the person-centred care that people who have served require, making a real difference for both our current and future residents,” she said.

“It has been a privilege to learn more about our residents’ experiences, such as Rodney’s remarkable career. They deserve so much respect for their service.”

Michaela Elwell, Activities Coordinator at Aden Mount, added: “Talking with Rodney is so heart-warming. He is an amazing gentleman who brings light and laughter everywhere he goes, and we at Aden Mount are very lucky to have him.”

Kimberley McKay, Home Manager at Aden View Care Home, echoed similar sentiments.

“I feel honoured to help introduce the Veteran Friendly Framework to our home. We already celebrate the veterans in our care at Aden View, but the VFF programme gives us even more opportunities to ensure their service and sacrifices are recognised and supported,” she said.

“We believe in sharing people’s stories, so we have recently dedicated a special area in the care home to honour our veterans. Since creating this space, our residents, families, and friends have shared many more stories with us.”

Shakira Joseph, a Senior Carer at Aden View Care Home and former Army Cadet, highlighted how working with veterans has deepened her passion for elderly care.

“Spending time with our veterans has been an eye-opening experience. They have so many fascinating stories, and I love listening to them. It’s made me even more passionate about caring for our residents,” she said.

Meeting High Standards for Veterans’ Wellbeing

To achieve VFF status, the care homes had to meet eight key standards, including recognising Armed Forces status in care plans, addressing social isolation, and signposting residents to support services such as the Royal British Legion and other veteran-focused charities.

The framework is designed to ensure care homes better support the practical, emotional, and social needs of the Armed Forces community, providing training and resources to improve the care offered.

Kathryn Glass, VFF Project Lead at Royal Star & Garter, praised the dedication of the Huddersfield care homes.

“The applications submitted by Aden View and Aden Mount Care Homes were of an exceptionally high standard,” she said.

“This is a testament to the dedication, passion, and commitment of their teams in providing high-quality, person-centred care for veterans.”