Armed Forces veterans living at our sheltered schemes, Roseberry Court and Peacehaven Court were honoured at a special celebration event, led by Veterans in Care, bringing together residents, families, partners and invited guests to recognise service, sacrifice and community.
Veterans for Veterans in Care are Armed Forces veterans themselves, with shared experiences and a deep understanding of the unique challenges veterans can face later in life. Their work is driven by a mission to reach the “Forgotten Army” — Armed Forces veterans living in residential care, assisted living and sheltered accommodation ensuring they feel seen, supported and recognised.
The event centred on the presentation of Veterans’ Badges and a shared Oath of Allegiance, offering residents formal recognition while creating space for reflection, pride and connection. Music, food and conversations helped create a warm and inclusive atmosphere, allowing veterans from both schemes to come together alongside their loved ones.
Jemma Taylor, Scheme Manager, said: “It was incredibly special to see residents from both schemes come together and feel recognised for their service. The pride, connection and sense of belonging in the room really showed the impact of creating spaces where veterans feel valued and supported.”
The afternoon was organised by Veterans for Veterans in Care, supported by local partners, with short interviews captured to help share residents’ stories and raise awareness of older veterans who may otherwise go unsupported.
Lee Moore, Veteran Visitor Coordinator, said: “The event brought together veterans and their families from Peacehaven and Roseberry Court for a truly uplifting day celebrating service, community and shared experiences. The ceremony was formally opened by our chairman, John, and we were honoured by the presence of Deputy Lord Lieutenant Colonel Chris Tearney. The presentation of the oath of allegiance and veterans’ badges made it a proud and memorable occasion for everyone involved, and we’re grateful to Gentoo Group for supporting us to honour our veterans in such a meaningful way.”
We recently retained our Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) Gold Award, reaffirming our long‑standing commitment to veterans, reservists and the wider Armed Forces community. We also work closely with Veterans in Crisis Sunderland, where we are proud to be a Platinum Partner and housing provider of choice. Through this partnership, veterans experiencing homelessness are supported to access secure housing and tailored support to rebuild their lives.
In the last year alone, we re‑housed 64 veterans, demonstrating our commitment to making a tangible difference for the Armed Forces community in Sunderland.
Louise Bassett, Chief Executive Officer, said: “We’re proud to play our part in creating opportunities and improving lives for those who have served our country, whether that’s through employment, housing or tailored support.
“We’ll continue to champion best practice, share our experience with other organisations and work collaboratively to ensure the Armed Forces community feels valued and supported, now and in the future.”
