Army personnel spent a morning talking to military veterans at a Solihull care home, ahead of Armed Forces Day.

Four soldiers from the Royal Logistic Corps visited Royal Star & Garter, where they spent time with veterans from across the Armed Forces, and their partners.

The soldiers spoke about life in the services now, while veterans reminisced about their time in the Armed Forces. Through their discussions, they realised they still had many shared experiences, despite serving in two very different time periods.

Royal Star & Garter provides loving, compassionate care to veterans and their partners living with disabilities or dementia, and also provides other services reaching into the community. The charity also has Homes in Surbiton, High Wycombe, and now in Worthing, having recently merged with the military charity, Care for Veterans.

The event was organised to mark Armed Forces Day by the Army Benevolent Fund – the Army’s national charity which supports soldiers, veterans, and their families, for life. Since 1944, the charity has been at the forefront of support for the Army family, there through all of life’s challenges, including bereavement, injury, getting back to work, elderly care, and much more besides. They remain a generous supporter of Royal Star & Garter giving regular grants to support its Wellbeing Programme, which is designed to enhance the physical, emotional and cognitive health of veterans.

The soldiers also joined in with music activities at the Home.

Zoe Casey, Deputy Home Manager at Royal Star & Garter in Solihull, said: “Having four soldiers in uniform created such a buzz in the Home, and by the time they finished there were quite a few residents who had gathered around to chat with them. Despite the age gap, the soldiers and veterans still had so much in common through their service, and it was beautiful to see how much they all enjoyed spending time in one another’s company.”

Brigadier (Ret’d) Peter Monteith, Chief Operating Officer, Army Benevolent Fund, said: “We were honoured to bring together serving soldiers with Army veterans and beneficiaries at the Royal Star & Garter Home in Solihull. In the lead-up to Armed Forces Day, the visit served as a powerful reminder of the strength and unity of the Army family, and of the ABF’s enduring commitment to supporting soldiers, veterans, and their families. Our sincere thanks to the Royal Star & Garter team for making this meaningful collaboration possible.”

Royal Star & Garter is running a Veterans’ Voice project highlighting the value of veterans and older people. It aims to give residents and those using its services a platform to tell their stories, ensuring they are not hidden because of their disability or dementia.

Residents at its Homes were in the spotlight during the 80th anniversary of VE Day, in May. On that occasion, WWII and WAAF veteran Amy was interviewed by the BBC in her room at the Surbiton Home, as was WWII Army veteran Ron from the Worthing Home – both interviews were broadcast during the BBC’s live coverage of the procession and flypast on 5 May. High Wycombe resident Ken was also interviewed outside Westminster Abbey, as part of the BBC’s coverage of the national service on VE Day, 8 May.

Caley Eldred, Director of Supporter Engagement at Royal Star & Garter, said: “Our residents have led amazing lives, and at Royal Star & Garter we feel passionately about sharing their stories and ensuring their voices are heard. We were thrilled to work with the BBC so that their VE Day stories could be shared around the country and with such a wide audience.”

Armed Forces Day takes place on Saturday 28 June, when the public show their support and appreciation for the Armed Forces community – from currently serving personnel to service families, veterans and cadets.

Royal Star & Garter is welcoming residents into its Homes in Solihull, Surbiton and High Wycombe. For more information on this, its new services or to work for the charity, go to www.starandgarter.org

For more information on Care for Veterans, go to www.careforveterans.org.uk