Worthing-based charity, Care for Veterans, has received a grant of £20,000 from the Postcode Local Trust towards an LED lighting project, which is part of the charity’s environmental initiative.
Care for Veterans started its green project last year to reduce its carbon footprint for the benefit of the wider community and has already implemented many new technologies and procedures.
The LED lighting project, which has been made possible by the grant from Postcode Local Trust, a grant-giving charity funded entirely by players of People’s Postcode Lottery, is Care for Veterans’ latest energy-saving installation.
The old and inefficient lighting at the charity’s Worthing-based facility has been replaced with modern, energy-efficient and environmentally friendly LED lighting, and will save an estimated 10.50 Tonnes of CO2 annually.
The new lighting also provides health benefits for the veterans the charity cares for. Many of the residents at Care for Veterans have an Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) and can be hyper-sensitive to light, so an environment without flickering fluorescent bulbs is extremely helpful. LED light can also help maintain natural biological rhythms, which are especially beneficial in the morning when disabled or elderly people are less active and alert.
Care for Veterans’ CEO, Andy Neaves, said,
“Thank you to everyone at the Postcode Local Trust, and the players of the People’s Postcode Lottery, for supporting us in this way. The immediate impact of this project is deeply impressive. The difference in lighting quality, the environmental benefits, and the reduction in maintenance and utility costs is stunning. The long-term impact of your support really does mean that this is ‘the gift that keeps on giving’ – thank you.”
About Care for Veterans
Care for Veterans (formerly The Queen Alexandra Hospital Home) was established in 1919 – the charity celebrates its centenary this year.
Care for Veterans is a registered charity, providing care and rehabilitation for physically disabled ex-Service personnel and their families. Our residents’ needs are complex and many have multiple disabilities. Many have an Acquired Brain Injury and some have neurological disorders such as Parkinson’s or Multiple Sclerosis. Others are paralysed or do not have use of their limbs and some are terminally ill. We support on average 140 residents a year.
We care for up to 60 residents at any one time.
Our residents are aged between 34 and 96.
Our residents represent the tri-services: Royal Navy, Army and RAF.
Services at Care for Veterans include nursing, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, an active social and recreation department, rehabilitation kitchen, a chaplaincy service, counselling, IT facilities, a rehabilitation garden, sensory room, function room, and regular outings on our specially adapted coach.
With no regular government funding, Care for Veterans must raise over £1.9 million each year to maintain its nursing and rehabilitation services for ex-Servicemen and women.
