A merger of two long-established charities dedicated to supporting the Armed Forces community has officially been confirmed, ensuring a new chapter in providing vital care for veterans.
Care for Veterans, formerly known as The Queen Alexandra Hospital Home, has joined forces with Royal Star & Garter, a charity with over a century of history. The two organisations, which share a deep commitment to the welfare of veterans, began exploring the merger in 2024.
Both charities were founded with the aim of caring for soldiers returning from World War I, Royal Star & Garter was established on January 14, 1916, under the British Red Cross, and The Queen Alexandra Hospital Home was founded in 1919 in Roehampton, later moving to Worthing in 1933.
The merger, which was finalised on March 31, 2025, marks a major milestone, expanding Royal Star & Garter’s reach to four care homes across the country, including Worthing, Solihull, Surbiton, and High Wycombe.
“Our strategy at Royal Star & Garter is to ensure consistently exceptional care is provided for those in the Armed Forces community living with disability and dementia,” said Andy Cole, CEO of Royal Star & Garter. “The merger underpins this ambition as our two charities unite, developing and learning from one another to benefit the veteran community, now and into the future.”
The combined strength of these two charities will not only ensure high-quality care continues at the Worthing home, but will also expand the services provided to veterans and their families, strengthening financial and operational resilience.
David Williams, trustee of Care for Veterans, added: “This merger brings together two charities sharing common goals and values, with expertise in caring for Armed Forces veterans and their families living with disability. Combining our skills ensures that high-quality care continues to be provided at our Worthing home.”
Care for Veterans, operating from Gifford House in Worthing, has long offered long-term nursing, rehabilitation, respite, and award-winning end-of-life care for ex-Armed Forces personnel living with disabilities such as acquired brain injury and degenerative neurological conditions.
Royal Star & Garter has pledged to enhance the services already in place at Care for Veterans, and will work on seamless integration over the next two years.
