Members of the Newton and District Veterans Association recently visited a local care home – a visit that brought music, singing, laughter and a warm sense of community to residents and staff alike.
The group was joined by members from St Helens and the North West Corps of Drums for the occasion, which included a generous buffet and refreshments laid on by the care home team. Among the guests was the new Mayor of St Helens Borough, Cllr Stephen Little, who attended as one of his first engagements since taking up the role in May.
Also present was former councillor Lynn Clarke, the outgoing Armed Forces Champion for St Helens Borough Council. Lynn has been a strong supporter of the Newton Veterans in recent years and is keen to continue that support going forward.
The visit had particular significance for Parr Care Home on Fleet Lane, St Helens, which has become the first care home in St Helens to sign up to the Armed Forces Covenant. The Covenant is a national pledge that organisations make to ensure those who have served in the armed forces – and their families – are treated fairly and not disadvantaged. For a care home with ex-servicemen and women among its residents, it represents a meaningful commitment to the people in its care.
Chris Scarisbrick, Secretary of Newton and District Veterans Association, said the group had been visiting care homes to connect with former service personnel living there – and that those visits have proven to be a source of real joy. “We have started to visit care homes to speak with those former servicemen and women resident in them, and the smiles and memories those visits result in are heartwarming and humbling,” he said.
The Newton Veterans are now looking to extend the network further, with plans to visit other care homes across the area to make sure ex-service residents know they are remembered and valued.
It is just the latest in a series of community activities for the group, which was formed six years ago and has grown steadily since. As well as care home visits, the Veterans support local youth organisations, cadet forces and schools, raise money for charities, and provide honour guards for ex-servicemen and women who pass away – ensuring their final send-off reflects the dignity and pride of their service.
Any care home that would like to be part of the growing network, or ex-forces personnel who would like to find out more about the Newton and District Veterans Association, can visit their Facebook page or come along to their monthly meeting at Newton Functions, 7 Patterson Street, Newton-le-Willows, on the first Tuesday of every month at 7.30pm.