Below is a summary of the past, present and future of The Royal Star & Garter Charity designed to give a brief overview for press. For more in-depth information, please click on the links found within each section.
The Royal Star & Garter Charity
The Royal Star & Garter is an independent registered charity that provides care homes for disabled ex-Service men and women. We aim to provide a real home for anyone who is physically disabled or incapacitated and has served in Her Majesty's Forces. Working to meet individual needs, we help all our residents lead full and active lives through the provision of first class nursing care, complemented by therapeutic and social facilities that are second to none.
History Of The Charity
The Royal Star & Garter Charity was established in 1916 to care for severely disabled young sailors and soldiers returning from the battlegrounds of the First World War. Airmen were admitted after the formation of the Royal Air Force in 1918 and many years later in 1986, ex-Service women became eligible.
It was Queen Mary who first expressed concern for the future of these young men and Her Majesty charged the British Red Cross Society with the task of finding a "permanent haven" for them. The Charity was established in Richmond in the old Star & Garter hotel and Queen Mary was the first patron. By 1918 it was obvious that the building was unsuitable, and a new home, designed by Sir Edwin Cooper, was opened by King George V and Queen Mary on 10 July 1924.
Future Plans
In the 21st century, the needs of residents have changed and the Charity is in the process of implementing plans to respond to that change. In addition, there is an identified requirement for care provision in other areas across the country and the Charity would like to provide the ‘Star & Garter’ special style of care in a wider choice of locations. Therefore, the intention is to move on from the Richmond Hill building and to initially re-provide for the same number of residents (180) in three new homes; one in South West London, one in Solihull and one in an area to be confirmed. The network of new homes will incorporate modern, state of the art design; large bed sitting rooms with en suite facilities in attractive and accessible surroundings, while retaining those aspects which make the Royal Star & Garter unique – the strong military links, the history and tradition, the high quality nursing care, and the exceptional activities and leisure provision. Each new home will incorporate a specially designed and staffed unit to accommodate people with dementia, an area of urgent need.