Residents, staff and volunteers at The Royal Star & Garter Home in Surbiton were delighted to welcome Mark Lancaster TD VR MP, Minister for Defence Veterans, Reserves and Personnel, when he visited on 15 September.

The Charity’s Chief Executive, Andy Cole, and Director of Care & Service Development, Pauline Shaw, gave the Minister a tour of the Home and the opportunity to see for himself the wide range of therapies and activities available to the residents. The Minister visited the Physiotherapy room, where he chatted to resident Betty Dawson about exercising and was challenged to a game of quoits by resident Pat Seymour. After a stroll around the gardens, the Minister joined the residents to play word games and share stories about their military experiences.

 Mark Lancaster was enthusiastic about meeting the veterans and finding out about the care they receive: “I have very much enjoyed seeing the exceptional care offered to the veterans at The Royal Star & Garter Homes, which sets the gold standard for the way all care homes should be. We have a duty to ensure that our ex-Service personnel are properly cared for in later life and it is wonderful to see this done so well.”