A message to you all…

To our friends, supporters, volunteers and suppliers,

As concern over Coronavirus/COVID-19 grows within the UK and beyond, I would like to take this opportunity to inform you of our current position. These are worrying times for us all. We are facing an unprecedented situation, with circumstances and advice changing on a daily, if not hourly basis.

It certainly isn’t business as usual for many of us, however for the past 4 weeks, the management team at Care for Veterans has conducted strategic planning and implemented contingencies to ensure our residents, staff and volunteers all remain safe.

Staff

Our policies have been amended in line with Public Health Guidelines.

All of our healthcare and support staff are coming into to work as normal, and all are following the guidelines around social distancing and strict hygiene to ensure the safety of themselves, their colleagues and our residents.

Last week, the administration staff were split into two teams, who alternated working from home and in the office. Since the announcement of stricter guidelines by the government, all office staff are now working from home, with some coming onto the site as and when is absolutely necessary.

Visitors and Contractors

Care for Veterans stopped accepting visitors to the site last week (Tuesday 17 March). Only those residents on end of life care can receive visitors, and there are separate guidelines for this.

Some contractors are still coming to carry out essential work at Care for Veterans. Upon arrival, they must also follow our strict guidelines, which include completing a coronavirus declaration and washing their hands immediately. They will also be escorted to and from their work area by our maintenance team.

New Admissions

Care for Veterans remains open to new admissions, both respite and permanent. Any person requiring admission will be screened at the assessment stage and if the admission is to proceed, they will be screened again in a triage area prior to going onto the wing. The screening will include a declaration and physical assessment. This process will protect our staff, current residents and families. Unfortunately, no pre-admission tours are currently available but there are many pictures on our website. Anyone seeking rehabilitation and/or care should contact Pauline Jones on 01903 213458.

Fundraising

Whilst we appreciate that these are frightening and uncertain times for everyone, Care for Veterans must continue to provide the very best care and rehabilitation for our disabled veterans and we can only do so with the kind and continued support of our donors. We receive no regular Government funding and have already had to cancel several fundraising events upon which we were relying for income to fund what we do. We kindly ask all those who support us to continue to do so and any donation, large or small, that you can give would be very much appreciated by all the veterans and staff at Care for Veterans. Please contact our Fundraising Dept on 01903 218444 if you are able to help or you can donate on our website.

I firmly believe the above points are well measured in response to the level of threat we currently face from the virus. But with the situation changing daily, our main priority is not to compromise the safety of our residents and staff, and I appreciate your understanding of that fact.

Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Take care and stay safe.

Andy Neaves
CEO