Ferndown Care Ltd
We, the undersigned, commit to honour the Armed Forces Covenant and support the Armed Forces Community. We recognise the value Serving Personnel, both Regular and Reservists, Veterans and military families contribute to our business and our country.
The Armed Forces Covenant
An enduring covenant between the people of the United Kingdom, Her Majesty’s Government and all those who serve or have served in the Armed Forces of the Crown and their families
The first duty of Government is the defence of the realm. Our Armed Forces fulfil that responsibility on behalf of the Government, sacrificing some civilian freedoms, facing danger and, sometimes, suffering serious injury or death as a result of their duty. Families also play a vital role in supporting the operational effectiveness of our Armed Forces. In return, the whole nation has a moral obligation to the members of the Naval Service, the Army and the Royal Air Force, together with their families. They deserve our respect and support, and fair treatment.
Those who serve in the Armed Forces, whether Regular or Reserve, those who have served in the past, and their families, should face no disadvantage compared to other citizens in the provision of public and commercial services. Special consideration is appropriate in some cases, especially for those who have given most such as the injured and the bereaved.
This obligation involves the whole of society: it includes voluntary and charitable bodies, private organisations, and the actions of individuals in supporting the Armed Forces. Recognising those who have performed military duty unites the country and demonstrates the value of their contribution. This has no greater expression than in upholding this Covenant.
Section 1: Principles of the Armed Forces Corporate Covenant
1.1 We Ferndown Care Ltd will endeavour in our business dealings to uphold the key principles of the Armed Forces Covenant, which are:
- no member of the Armed Forces Community should face disadvantage in the provision of public and commercial services compared to any other citizen;
- and in some circumstances that special treatment may be appropriate especially for the injured or bereaved.
Section 2: Demonstrating our commitment
2.1 Ferndown Care Ltd recognises the value serving personnel, reservists, veterans and military families bring to our business. We will seek to uphold the principles of the Armed Forces Covenant, by pledging to the following:
- Armed Forces Friendly
- UK Service Veterans And Leavers
- UK Service Spouses And Partners
- Flexible Leave For Spouses
- UK Reservists
- UK Cadets
- Armed Forces Day
- Reserve Forces Day
- Discounts
- Armed Forces Charities
- UK Wounded, Injured And Sick
We also pledge the following:
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Proactively identify residents who are veterans or part of the Armed Forces community (where they choose to disclose this) and ensure this is reflected in care planning and support.
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Ensure that veterans are not disadvantaged in accessing care and that appropriate consideration is given to those with service-related injuries, long-term conditions, or trauma.
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Train and support staff to understand the Armed Forces Covenant, military culture, and the potential impact of service on later life, including dementia, mobility issues, and mental health needs.
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Work in partnership with local NHS services, local authorities, and Armed Forces charities to signpost residents and their families to additional support, benefits, and advocacy where appropriate.
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Promote dignity, respect, and inclusion by recognising and valuing residents’ service histories, including participation in remembrance activities and veteran-friendly initiatives.
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Review policies and practices regularly to ensure continued alignment with the Armed Forces Covenant and best practice in veteran-friendly care.
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Including information about our Covenant commitment within resident information packs, admissions information, and family communications.
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Raising awareness among staff through induction, training, and internal communications, ensuring they understand the Covenant and how it applies to elderly care provision.
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Promoting veteran-friendly initiatives and activities within the home, such as Remembrance events and recognition of Armed Forces-related days.
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Working with local veteran organisations, charities, and support services to promote Heathland House as a supportive and inclusive care environment for veterans and their families.
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Sharing our commitment through local networks and community partnerships where appropriate, including local authority and health and social care forums.
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Ensure that veterans and members of the Armed Forces community are treated with dignity, respect, and fairness in all aspects of care provision.
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Identify and recognise residents who are veterans or members of the Armed Forces community, where they wish to disclose this, to ensure their individual needs and experiences are understood and supported.
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Take account of the unique physical, mental, and emotional needs that may arise from military service, including conditions such as mobility limitations, sensory impairment, PTSD, or dementia.
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Work collaboratively with NHS services, local authorities, Armed Forces charities, and veteran support organisations to ensure residents and their families can access appropriate advice, advocacy, and additional support.
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Promote awareness of the Armed Forces Covenant among staff through training and guidance, ensuring its principles are reflected in person-centred care planning and daily practice.
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Provide reasonable flexibility and consideration in policies, admissions, and care planning to support veterans and their families where appropriate.
2.2 We will publicise these commitments through our literature and/or on our website, setting out how we will seek to honour them and inviting feedback from the Service community and our customers on how we are doing.