A Salford care home dedicated to military veterans is set to dramatically improve its services after receiving a major six-figure grant. Broughton House Veteran Care Village has been awarded £100,000 by the Army Benevolent Fund (ABF), a donation that will directly enhance the quality of life for its elderly residents.
Funding a "Best Life" for Veterans
Karen Miller, Chief Executive of Broughton House, expressed profound gratitude for the ABF's continued support. She stated that the significant funding allows the home to fulfil its core mission: enabling veterans to live their best lives in their later years. "The ABF has been tremendous in providing Broughton House with substantial financial support for many years," Miller said.
She emphasised that the grant is essential, as relying solely on local authority care home fees would not cover the enhanced activities and specialist care the home provides. "Our veterans sacrificed so much to serve our country," Miller added, "and this much-needed funding enables us to help them live in comfort and dignity in a vibrant, engaging home."
How the Grant Will Be Used
The £100,000 injection will be strategically deployed across several key areas to benefit the residents, more than half of whom are army veterans, including survivors of the Second World War and the Korean War.
The funding will specifically enhance dementia care through additional specialist staff training and an improved menu designed for veterans with the condition, created by hospitality services manager Steve Rossiter.
Furthermore, the grant will expand the home's activity programme, both on-site and in the wider community. This includes:
- Coffee mornings with serving forces personnel.
- Celebrations of key military occasions like VE Day and D-Day.
- Visits to veteran breakfast clubs and attractions such as the Imperial War Museum North.
- A wider social schedule featuring concerts, film nights, art classes, and dementia-friendly games.
Health and mobility services, including the home's gym, physiotherapy, and chiropody, will also benefit from the financial boost.
First-Hand Impact and Enduring Legacy
ABF Chief Executive Tim Hyams visited Broughton House to see the facilities and the impact of the grant firsthand. He described it as "a wonderful environment" where elderly veterans, many with dementia, are supported holistically. "The ABF is delighted to fund Broughton House and ensure this ongoing care for elderly and vulnerable veterans, and their families, in the North West," Hyams commented.
Founded in 1916, Broughton House has cared for over 8,000 veterans. It is the only home in the North West offering veteran-specific residential, nursing, specialist dementia, and respite care. Following a redevelopment, it now comprises a 64-bed care home—including two dedicated 16-bed households for veterans with dementia—and six independent living apartments.
The home's profound impact is reflected in a 2023 survey, where 93% of family members said their loved one's quality of life had improved since moving in, and 79% reported an improvement in their own mental wellbeing.
