GRANT HELPS BROUGHTON HOUSE TO IMPROVE HEALTH AND WELLBEING OF RAF VETERANS

Broughton House Veteran Care Village in Salford has been boosted by a ‘crucial’ grant of £18,000 towards the cost of care and community support services it provides to former RAF servicemen and women.

The money, from the RAF Benevolent Fund, is helping to fund nursing and residential care to veterans living at Broughton House as well as counselling and welfare benefits advice to veterans living in the community and their families, through its Armed Forces Support Hub.

Karen Miller, chief executive of Broughton House, said: “Grants from organisations such as the RAFBF have been crucial in enabling our home to weather the financial storm created by Covid and now the cost-of-living crisis.

“We are incredibly appreciative of the support show to our home by the RAFBF, providing vital financial aid to enable us to care for residents as well as veterans in the community and their families who are in need of expert help and assistance.”

She added: “Many veterans of working age living in the community are struggling with significant mental health problems. “The vital work of our support hub in providing counselling helps them to feel better able to begin employment or training.

“One veteran, who had been homeless, found a secure job as a result of the hub’s support, and got himself back on the right track.

“In addition, by directly helping to improve the health and wellbeing of members of the RAF family and reducing their social isolation, the additional funding has a beneficial impact on veterans’ wider families.

“At Broughton House itself, we have been able to continue to deliver a holistic and person-centred approach to our residents, ensuring their safe care and so that they are able to live well and enjoy life in their later years.”

Broughton House has cared for more than 8,000 veterans since it opened its doors to the ex-service community in 1916. Recently it has been transformed into a modern complex featuring a 64-bed care home and independent living apartments, an array of modern facilities, a museum, a gym and the hub. The care village is currently welcoming an average of two new residents a month.

Among those to benefit from the RAFBF’s support is D-Day veteran David Teacher, 98. David signed up to join the RAF in 1942 at the age of 18. He was a mechanic with No. 71 RAF Beach Unit, which was among the first to land on Juno beach in Normandy on D-Day in 1944. The unit stayed on the beach in a trench for three months, repairing vehicles. Later, David fought in the Battle of the Bulge in Belgium.

A double amputee, David moved into Broughton House last year and has become an active member of the home. He gets involved in outings and activities, including the cheese and wine club, baking and gardening.

Remembering his fallen World War Two comrades is very important to David and he has given talks about his experiences to groups of schoolchildren to ensure those comrades’ sacrifices are never forgotten.

He was able to visit the Normandy battlefields in the summer of 2022 with his family, and he plays an active role in Battle of Britain and Remembrance Day ceremonies at Broughton House.

David said: “The activities here are very good – in fact they are excellent. I also particularly enjoy trips out to places such as RHS Garden Bridgewater and Knowsley Safari. I’m very happy here, without a doubt.”

Irene Greenwood, Welfare Programmes Manager at the RAF Benevolent Fund, said: “Partnership working is an essential part of the Fund’s welfare support to the RAF family, allowing us to get the expert help to the people who need it. The work that Broughton House undertakes is crucial and we’re glad we’re able to make a contribution.”