Care home holds Basingstoke veterans community garden party

The event was organised in partnership with the Basingstoke Veterans Hub and national charity The Not Forgotten Association and held at Dashwood Manor Care Home on July 15.

Guests enjoyed afternoon tea and entertainment in a marquee, with Chelsea Pensioners also in attendance through the Chelsea Pensioners Outreach Project.

Dashwood Manor, Basingstoke, (Image: Sam Stephenson)

Deputy Lieutenant of Hampshire, Mrs Bella Birdwood, spoke about the importance of community for veterans after leaving service. She said: “For many veterans, the greatest challenge begins not during service, but after it. Military service becomes part of your identity… When that chapter comes to an end, many feel they have lost not simply a job, but a part of themselves.

“Behind even the lighter moments lies something deeply important: belonging. When service ends, no veteran should ever feel they have been left behind. Gatherings such as this remind us that while a military career may end, membership of the armed forces family does not.”

The event was focused on bringing veterans together, and the care home plans for it to be the first of many events.

(L-R) Adrian Summerton, Harry Summerton and Terry Burns (Image: Sam Stephenson)

Luke Murphy MP called it ‘a real privilege to be here.’

He said: “It's an incredible event. We are blessed in Hampshire to have so many thousands of veterans that have given so many years of service and sacrifice to our country

“For the local organisations, to put this together is credit to them, for all of their hard work. It's good to recognise our veterans and provide them with this opportunity.”

Mayor of Basingstoke and Deane, Councillor Jacky Tustain, said: “It’s lovely. It’s always good to be celebrating and recognising people who have given a lot of service. It’s important that we encourage people to have a social time and the opportunity to get out and have a change of scenery, it’s good for stimulation.”

Dashwood Manor is currently working towards the Veteran Friendly Framework, a set of standards aimed at improving wellbeing and social connection for armed forces veterans living in care homes.

Anna Maria Bieniek-Nawala, deputy home manager at Dashwood Manor, said the event had been a success. She said: “It was fantastic to welcome everyone to the home to celebrate the veterans in Basingstoke. Events like this are a wonderful way to recognise the contribution of those who have served, while also bringing different generations together.”

Group shot with Dashwood Manor residents Mavis Howes and Peter Williamson (Image: Sam Stephenson)

The veteran’s hub is opening a new drop-in for veterans, serving personnel and their partners/spouses. It provides free tea and coffee and focuses on helping veterans into employment with visiting Defence Employer Recognition Scheme Employers, welfare signposting and advice with visiting service charities.