The festive season is a time for joy and celebration. While many of us focus on gifts for friends and family, there’s a unique opportunity to make a difference in the lives of those who often feel overlooked.

We’ve been taking care of veterans and their partners for more than 100 years, both in our state-of-the-art Homes and the wider community. We have recently launched Day Care, and popular weekly Lunch Clubs, as well as a free to use Telephone Friendship Service.

Here are some of the ways you can support Royal Star & Garter this Christmas:

• Purchase a virtual gift: as an alternative present this year, why not help support veterans and their partners by selecting one of our unique virtual gifts. Choose from The gift of friendship (£10) which could cover the cost of a regular call to a veteran in need of someone to talk to; The gift of wellbeing (£15) which could provide funding for dementia-friendly activities; or The gift of gardening (£20) which could pay for planting activities in our Homes. Buy your gift here.

• Leave a lasting legacy: support our work with a gift in your Will to help us care for veterans of the future.  Your gift would enable us to continue expanding and improving the ways we meet the changing needs and wishes of individuals, both in our Homes and the wider community.

• Organise a fundraiser: host a festive charity event, such as a Christmas bake sale or a sponsored walk/run to raise money to help fund our work. For the veterans and partners we support,  maintaining a link to the Armed Forces helps support their sense of personal history and self-esteem. Help us provide them with the care they so richly deserve. Find out more here.

• Make a donation: make a one-off or regular donation to help us deliver individual and group activities that promote mental and physical wellbeing; our Wellbeing Teams deliver a busy calendar of events all year round. A one-off gift could enable us to continue providing exceptional person-centred care to our residents living with dementia. Donate here.

Show veterans and their partners that you care this Christmas. Your generosity can bring a real sense of belonging over the festive period, making a meaningful difference in the lives of those we support.

For more information about our work and how donations can help us plan for the future please contact us at legacies@starandgarter.org.