Staff at Care for Veterans – A Royal Star & Garter Home have commenced an ambitious training programme to improve the person-centred care they deliver to veterans.

All Healthcare Assistants (HCAs) and Supervisors have begun Delivering Care Together (DCT) training.

The training coincided with Learning at Work Week, which ran from 18-24 May and aims to put a spotlight on the importance and benefits of continual learning and development.

Royal Star & Garter is a charity which provides loving, compassionate care and support to veterans and their families living with disability or dementia, and services which reach out into the community.

Care for Veterans in Worthing provides long-term nursing, rehabilitation, respite and end-of-life care to veterans and their families who live with disabilities, including acquired brain injury and degenerative neurological conditions. It is now part of the Royal Star & Garter group, following a merger with the charity in 2025. DCT training has already taken place at Royal Star & Garter Homes in Solihull, Surbiton and High Wycombe.

The first cohort began in March, and it will take staff three months to complete. In total 70 will be trained up and all new HCAs and Supervisors will also undergo training.

The mandatory Worthing training sessions are interactive, and taught in classrooms settings and online, with in-role observations making up the majority of the learning. The DCT modules cover 45 units of care, including personal care, meeting nutrition and hydration needs, acquired brain injuries, medication and end-of-life care.

‘It’s a joy to see them grow in confidence’

The course is being led by Claire Hutchinson, a Clinical Educator at Care for Veterans. She said: “Some staff were nervous about DCT, but they’ve all been brilliant and really embraced it. They already provide excellent care, but this course validates what they already know, building on it and helping them provide even better person-centred care. It’s a joy to see them grow in confidence and feel empowered as they progress through the course. And by investing in its people, the Worthing Home is able to attract, retain and develop talented staff.”

‘Unlock their potential’

Shirley Hall is Director of Care & Wellbeing at Royal Star & Garter. She said: “Learning in the workplace is essential for building skills and creating engaged and motivated staff. When people are given opportunities to learn, develop and grow, it has a direct impact on job satisfaction, confidence and long-term career progression. Investing in learning helps individuals unlock their potential, adapt to change and feel empowered to take the next step in their careers. It also means all residents at the Home are getting the same high standard of person-centred care.”

For more information about Royal Star & Garter, including working for the charity’s Home in Worthing, go to https://starandgarter.org