During Lent we have been learning more about the charities we support as a church. Last Thursday, Beverley treated us to an inspiring account of the work of Care for Veterans, including insights into her time as Chaplain. Thank you, Beverley.
The picture shows a happy moment in the life of the charity.
Care for Veterans: the charity
Care for Veterans: (formerly The Queen Alexandra Hospital Home) was established in 1919 to care for those soldiers returning from World War I with life-changing disabilities. For over 100 years, we have provided long term nursing care, rehabilitation, respite and award-winning end-of-life care to disabled ex-armed forces personnel from the RAF, Army, Royal Navy and auxiliary services.
We adopt a multi-disciplinary, holistic approach towards the care and rehabilitation of our residents, which includes physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, and neuropsychology, as well as social and recreational activities and a chaplaincy service – all delivered from our facilities in Worthing, West Sussex.
Currently, our residents range in age from 20-101 years old, and the majority of those we care for have an Acquired Brain Injury or a degenerative neurological condition, such as multiple sclerosis, motor neurone disease and Parkinson’s. We can provide specialist care for people with Acquired Brain Injury, and award-winning end-of-life care.
We adopt a 6 C mantra of core values that underpins all that we do.
CARE: WHAT WE DO AND WHO WE ARE
Our care promotes the health and wellbeing at every stage in a person’s life. We carefully assess and identify the individual needs of each resident so that we consistently deliver the right care to meet their agreed needs.
COMPASSION: SHOWING EMPATHY, KINDNESS AND RESPECT
Compassionate delivery of care puts the individual’s feelings at the forefront of our practice. Through active listening we can plan the appropriate responses to deliver holistic, person centred care.
COMPETENCE: THE APPLICATION OF LEARNING, KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE.
All care staff are trained and supported to understand the medical, physical, social, emotional and spiritual needs of our residents thus providing effective, professional care and treatments based on current research and practice.
COMMUNICATION: NO DECISION ABOUT ME WITHOUT ME
Effective relationships throughout our organisation are developed through listening which informs what we say and do. The use of IT and assisted technology is facilitated by our therapists.
COURAGE: DOING THE RIGHT THING FOR THE PEOPLE IN OUR CARE
Courage means being the advocate for our residents, especially for those who are vulnerable or without support: Knowing when to speak out for the benefit of others: Embracing a vision for innovation and positive change in the way we work.
COMMITMENT: THE CORNERSTONE OF EVERYTHING WE DO
We are dedicated to the continual process of monitoring our practice to maintain and develop the experience of our residents. We respect that this is their home as well as their place of care.
Historical pictures from the charity’s archive
