North East care provider recognised for honouring veterans
A North East care provider has received a special award for its commitment to those who served in the armed forces.
Prestwick Care, which operates 19 care homes across the region, has been given a bronze award by the Ministry of Defence in recognition of its efforts to ensure its veterans receive the best emotional and practical support.
The award was granted under the Employer Recognition Scheme and follows the granting of Veteran Friendly status to two of its homes, Bede House, in Sunderland, and Brunswick House, in Gosforth, by the Veteran Friendly Framework (VFF).
To qualify for the award, both care homes needed to meet eight standards including addressing social isolation, signposting to support services and noting armed forces status within care plans.
Prestwick Care CEO, Bunty Malhotra, said: “We are delighted to receive this award from the Ministry of Defence.
“As we remember those who have given their lives in the service of the country, it is important that we also remember those veterans who are still with us and who deserve our care, support and respect every single day of the year.
“At Prestwick Care, we respect their service and their achievements.
“They speak of the armed forces as being like a family to them, and we go out of our way to ensure those ties with their comrades and their former regiments remain as strong as they can possibly be.
“We make sure each and every one of our veteran residents knows how very grateful we all are for everything they have done for us.”
For more information about Sunderland’s Bede House, see https://www.prestwickcare.co.uk.