A £30,000 grant from the Veterans’ Foundation is being hailed for boosting the wellbeing of our residents who are living with dementia or cognitive decline.
We have been able to fund a variety of initiatives as a result of the support we have received from the organisation.
Led by Cheryl Monnie, an experienced care worker and qualified teacher who is our wellbeing and activities lead, our staff have been able to support our veterans with one-to-one and group activities to enhance their wellbeing and stimulate their memory and cognition.
Wellbeing Lead, Cheryl Monnie with resident, Harold Ellison

Broughton House – Veteran Care Village Wellbeing Lead, Cheryl Monnie

Karen Miller, chief executive of Broughton House, said 74 veterans have benefited as a direct result of the grant being awarded in June 2022.
In an annual survey of residents’ family members conducted over the past two months, 92 per cent of respondents said their relatives’ quality of life had improved since they moved to our care home.
Karen said: “The support we have received from the Veterans Foundation has been fantastic for our residents.
“It’s enabled us to fund the continued employment of a wellbeing and activities lead, and for our dedicated care staff to work extra hours so they can spend additional quality time with each veteran who has dementia or cognitive decline.
“As our care home has expanded and we have welcomed more veterans to Broughton House, it’s been wonderful to be able to provide company and stimulation for residents with those conditions.
“We’ve also been able to provide training for staff to experience for themselves what it’s like to have dementia or cognitive decline, using virtual reality tools.
Broughton House Veterans playing Virtual Ten Pin Bowling on the Xbox

Broughton House Veterans playing Virtual Tenpin Bowling

“It’s very exciting to have Cheryl as part of our team. She specialises in textiles and design. Textures and craft activities are particularly important and valued by our residents, as they provide sensory stimulation.
“As well as these activities, staff play dominoes and cards with our veterans, take them on nature walks and hold pamper sessions for our female residents. We’ve also been able to provide a traditional barber’s shop experience for the men.
“Group activities include themed events focusing on other countries, with quizzes, interactive games and traditional food from those nations.
“The impact has been reflected in our annual survey and we’re sincerely and hugely grateful to the Veterans’ Foundation for making it all possible.”
The Veterans’ Foundation helps fund charities and other charitable organisations that help serving and former members of the armed forces, and their dependants, who are in need.
It raises money through the Veterans’ Lottery and donations, with almost £17m in grants having been awarded to over 400 UK-based military charities since its inception in 2016.
Veterans’ Foundation founder and CEO David Shaw said: “We are delighted to continue our long-standing support of Broughton House. The Veterans’ Foundation is proud to play a part in the first-class care of British veterans living with dementia or cognitive decline.”
You can help charities and organisations just like Broughton House, while being in with a chance to win £50,000, when you sign up for the Veterans’ Lottery. Click here to play: www.veteransfoundation.org.uk/lottery/join