Recent staff appointments have increased the number of former Armed Forces personnel working and volunteering at Broughton House Veteran Care Village in Salford.
A total of seven now support everyday life at the care home, bringing decades of experience from the Army, Royal Air Force and Royal Navy, including service during the Cold War and the First Gulf War as well as in Bosnia, Iraq and Afghanistan.
Their roles in the home span leadership, wellbeing and dementia care, catering, heritage and transport services, reinforcing the enduring connection between the home and the Armed Forces community it serves.
The latest recruit is Dale Hodgson, the wellbeing and activities coordinator, who served from 2009 to 2022. As a member of the 1st Battalion Irish Guards, one of the British Army’s Foot Guards regiments, he took part in ceremonial duties such as Trooping the Colour.
During his career, former Lance Corporal Dale also served on operations around the world, including tours in Afghanistan, Iraq, the Falkland Islands and Bosnia, as well as taking part in numerous overseas exercises. He now draws on that experience to create engaging and active programmes for residents.
Another recent addition to the Broughton House staff team is head chef Matt Cripps, who was an RAF Air Cadet with184 (City of Manchester) Squadron.
Having enjoyed the community atmosphere at the care home while working on a temporary basis, Matt joined Broughton House permanently to oversee residents’ daily dining and nutritional care, introducing a new menu based on home cooking recipes tailored to the veterans’ individual preferences.
Customer service adviser Sarah Walker was a ‘Wren’ in the Women’s Royal Naval Service (WRNS) between 1990 and 1995.
After completing her training in Plymouth, Sarah served in Rosyth and Gibraltar, with postings aboard the historic naval shore establishments HMS Cochrane and HMS Rooke. Today, she is often the first welcoming face visitors see when they arrive at Broughton House.
Jerry Mitton, an area sales manager, volunteers in his spare time as a driver of the Broughton House minibus, ensuring residents can attend military reunions, events and outings.
He served in the RAF from 1982 to 1996, including during the First Gulf War when he was stationed in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia. A former corporal, Jerry was later deployed to Bosnia.
On outings, Jerry often finds himself chatting to residents about their service experiences and their lives before they joined the military.
Volunteer historian and museum curator Owen Hammond was a flight lieutenant in the RAF. He served between 1964 and 1976, including time in Germany during the Cold War.
Owen helps preserve the rich military history of Broughton House and its residents, ensuring their stories are recorded and remembered.
Jason Molloy, the elderly care navigator working within Broughton House’s Armed Forces Support Hub, joined the Royal Artillery at the age of 16 and served for seven years, including in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Broughton House chief executive Karen Miller also served, beginning her career as a reservist. She joined the 3rd Battalion Royal Welsh Fusiliers and later served in the Regular Army as a commissioned officer for a further 10 years.
Karen said: “Our residents have served their country, and a growing number of staff and volunteers have done the same.
“This connection helps create understanding, trust and camaraderie in everyday life, and helps make Broughton House a very special place. There is an unspoken bond between those who have served in the Armed Forces, regardless of when or where they wore the uniform.
“To have seven former service personnel on our team means our residents are surrounded by people who truly understand their experiences, values and history.
“It feels especially relevant and meaningful during Armed Forces Week, which is a time to recognise the service and sacrifice of the Armed Forces community.
“At Broughton House, we see that every day in the way staff and residents connect. Although our military careers are behind us, we remain committed to supporting veterans and helping them live fulfilling and dignified lives.”
Dale Hodgson said: “Once you’ve served, you always feel part of the military family. Working with veterans means I can continue giving something back to people who understand that shared experience.”
Jerry Mitton said: “Volunteering at Broughton House allows me to stay connected with the veteran community. It’s rewarding to help residents attend reunions, events and outings that mean so much to them.”
More veterans will be in post at Broughton House by the end of June. Jennifer Dickenson will take up the role of clinical lead, having served in the Royal Signals before training as a nurse. Martin Davis, a former Senior Non-Commissioned Officer (SNCO) in the Royal Logistic Corps, and Emma Yardley, who served in the RAF for five years, will join the care team.
Major (Ret’d) Andy Dinning, a Broughton House resident since 2021, said: “The staff have a very good relationship with the residents. Everything they do, they do for us, and the events they put on to celebrate the military are great, because we were all in the Armed Forces.”
Broughton House has cared for more than 8,000 veterans since opening in 1916. It is the only home in the north west offering veteran-specific residential, nursing, specialist dementia and respite care.
Following redevelopment, it is now a 64-bed care home, with two 16-bed households dedicated to veterans with dementia, and six independent living apartments.
Photos: Broughton House & Kevin Feddy Media Ltd
