A staff member, who is part of a team improving the lives of veterans living in care homes across England, has received a top award.

Jules Walker, a Project Support Officer for the Veteran Friendly Framework (VFF), works with participating care homes to integrate the Framework into practical action, and has won the Service Champion Award from the Armed Forces Network (AFN).

Jules was nominated for the award by Zoe Freeman, Senior Activity Coordinator at Wimborne Care Home, and one of its VFF Champions, after it gained VFF status in 2025.

The free-to-access VFF helps providers to offer appropriate support for veterans and their partners living in care homes across England. It aims to deliver improved health and wellbeing outcomes for over 25,000 veterans and their partners.

There are currently over 350 VFF-approved care homes who have helped support over 2,770 veterans and partners.

The AFN is a multi-organisational group which includes members from across the UK who work together to improve the lives of the Armed Forces community. Its Service Champion Award recognises an individual’s or group’s hard work and support of the Armed Forces community.

After receiving her award, Jules said: “It was extremely kind of Zoe to nominate me, and an honour to receive this award. It means a lot coming from the AFN. This award reflects the impact the VFF is having on the Armed Forces community living in care homes, and the great work of my colleagues.”

‘She made the whole process fun’

Explaining why she nominated Jules for the award, Zoe said: “Jules is so passionate about her work and her enthusiasm for the VFF is infectious. She made the whole process fun. The VFF has been great for our residents and has helped us connect with more people and groups in our community.”

Wimborne Care Home is part of Barchester Healthcare with over 260 care homes across the UK. Four Barchester homes have achieved Veteran Friendly status.

The VFF programme is jointly funded by veterans’ charities Royal Star & Garter and the Royal British Legion, with collaboration from the NHS Veterans Covenant Healthcare Alliance.

Kathryn Glass, Head of VFF at Royal Star & Garter, said: “The VFF is such a worthwhile programme which is having a truly positive impact on the lives of veterans in care homes across England. I’m delighted Jules has received this award for all her hard work and dedication. The VFF team build wonderful relationships with care home staff throughout the country, and this recognition is testament to the fantastic work that Jules and her colleagues do by going above and beyond with their support.”

Last year an independent evaluation praised the impact of the VFF on the lives of veterans and their partners living in care homes, showing that they gained from improved social connections and felt less isolated.

The evaluation concluded that the VFF should continue to be rolled out across England, and expanded into Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Any care homes interested in receiving more information about the VFF can visit https://veteranfriendlyframework.org.uk/, email VFF@starandgarter.org or call 07425 326070.