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'We make Christmas really special for veterans'

BBC A woman with white hair and a beaded necklace with a gillet on that is light brown cream, looks at the camera from an armchair, with a vase of flowers on the window sill behind her. BBC
Margaret Wates from Birmingham lives at the home in Solihull.

"It's quite a privilege being here with these residents, and [we make] it a really special day for them," says nurse Linda Bateson.

Staff at Solihull's Royal Star & Garter, which provides nursing and dementia care, say it is a "real privilege" to make Christmas special for residents.

"There is usually lots of entertainment, and giving them the best possible care, but making sure they feel loved I suppose, and making the day really special for them," says Ms Bateson, who has worked in care for 30 years.

She and the team look after 60 residents, who are all either veterans or their partners, but with family visiting on the big day, there will be more than 90 people sitting down for Christmas dinner.

A blonde haired woman wearing a pink jumper, reindeer ears, and glasses has a staff lanyard on, as she looks at the camera with a small Christmas tree next to her
Lorraine Bishton is the homes wellbeing coordinator

Margaret Wates, from Birmingham, and her husband did national service.

"On Christmas day my daughter from Stourbridge will come," says Mrs Wates.

"Many thanks to the staff, they make no trouble about working over Christmas."

Meanwhile, fellow resident Bill Wheeler, 97, says Christmas at home would be preferable.

"But times have changed and I've got to make the best here, but it seems as though they are going to look after us extremely well," he says.

A man with a burgundy jumper and white hair looks into camera, sitting in a green armchair with a floral print curtain behind it. and a window through which another building can be seen.
Bill Wheeler, 97, says he would prefer to be at his own home for Christmas, but says the staff will go out of their way to make the day enjoyable

Around 95 people will be at the home during the day, enjoying entertainment that will include a visit from Santa.

Lorraine Bishton, the home's wellbeing coordinator, said: "Christmas day is a very busy day we have lots of visitors, and a lot of people who are on their own.

"The biggest part for me is playing Santa, each individual resident gets a present and has their photograph taken."

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