Proud to be on The Veterans Friendly Framework

What it means to be a veteran-friendly care home

At HICA, we proudly hold accreditation through the Veteran Friendly Framework. This national initiative recognises care homes that actively support veterans and their partners. It brings together the Royal British Legion, Royal Star & Garter and the Veterans Covenant Healthcare Alliance to strengthen wellbeing, connection and quality of life for veterans across England.

Being Veteran Friendly means we recognise your service and the impact it may have had on your health, relationships and daily life. Therefore, we tailor our care to your experiences and honour your unique background. Above all, we offer personalised support that respects your story and helps you live well.

How We Support Veterans and Their Partners

Achieving VFF accreditation has helped us introduce meaningful improvements across HICA. These changes ensure we understand each veteran’s background and provide care that reflects their needs.

🔹 Recognising Veteran Status

We include each veteran’s service history—and their partner’s—within care planning. This helps our teams understand personal experiences and any related needs.

🔹 Training and Supporting Our Teams

We train staff to understand military life and its emotional or physical effects. As a result, they feel confident having sensitive conversations and offering informed support.

🔹 Creating Connections

We create opportunities for veterans to meet former service personnel, local military groups and community networks. These connections reduce isolation and encourage meaningful social interaction.

🔹 Linking Veterans with Specialist Support

We maintain strong links with statutory services and veteran charities. When residents need extra help—whether mental health support, rehabilitation or social activities—we guide them to the right resources.

🔹 Celebrating Veteran Identity

We honour personal stories and service history every day. This includes marking key occasions, supporting remembrance and respecting how each veteran wishes their service to be acknowledged.

Most importantly, we ensure every veteran feels valued, respected and understood.

Why We’re Proud to Be Veteran‑Friendly

Every veteran in our homes brings experience, resilience and community spirit. We value these qualities and recognise the sacrifices behind them.

By meeting the VFF standard, we strengthen our commitment to person‑centred care that honours military service. Veterans may have specific or unspoken needs shaped by trauma, relocation, separation or the transition to civilian life. The framework helps us respond proactively rather than rely on assumptions.

As we embed the VFF into daily practice, we build a culture of respect, shared experience and connection that benefits everyone.

What You Can Expect at HICA

If you or your partner are a veteran considering HICA, you can expect:

Respect for your service history and the chance to share your story if you choose.

Care planning that reflects your Armed Forces background.

Staff trained to support veterans in all aspects of home life.

Connections with veteran networks, social events and support groups.

Activities and recognition that honour service in ways that match your preferences.

Clear guidance on veteran charities and help accessing specialist advice.

Supporting Those Who Served

At HICA, we feel privileged to welcome veterans and their partners. Being Veteran Friendly is more than an accreditation; it shapes how we train, connect and care.

Ultimately, it means we honour service, support individual journeys and create a community where veterans feel respected, understood and valued.

If you’d like to learn more about our VFF accreditation or discuss support for a veteran moving into HICA, our team is ready to help.