Kingston and Surbiton MP Ed Davey paid a visit to Royal Star & Garter last week, the Surbiton care home providing care to veterans and their partners living with disability or dementia.

Located within the Liberal Democrat leader's constituency, Mr Davey met residents at the care home and spoke to the charity's members of staff to discuss the challenges faced by the social care workforce today.

During his 90-minute visit on Monday February 6, the Kingston and Surbiton MP was given a tour of the home and newly refurbished garden by Royal Star & Garter Chief Executive, Andy Cole OBE and Surbiton Home Manager, Helena Maher.

During his visit to Royal Star & Garter in Surbiton, Sir Ed sat down with staff to discuss the challenges currently faced by the social care workforce (Credit: Royal Star & Garter)

He saw an art class led by volunteer Lucy Freud, daughter of Lucian Freud, and was taken around the Home's award-winning dementia care area, and the in-house Physiotherapy room.

Mr Davey spoke to residents, including 100-year-old WWII veteran Phyllis, and met the Home's youngest resident – 35-year-old Stephen Vause, who suffered serious injuries in a mortar attack while serving in Iraq in 2007. 

Ed Davey chats with Iraq war veteran Stephen and Physiotherapist Annette in Royal Star & Garter's in-house Physiotherapy room (Credit: Royal Star & Garter)

He then sat with staff in the Home's newly built garden room to discuss issues surrounding adult social care.

The Lib Dem leader said: "Royal Star & Garter is one of the most amazing care homes I have ever visited. Seeing the fantastic quality of care given to extraordinary people who have served and sacrificed for this country underlines the value of good social care."

Ed Davey with 100-year-old WWII WAAF veteran Phyllis (Credit: Royal Star & Garter)

Royal Star & Garter Chief Executive Andy Cole added: "We were delighted to welcome Sir Ed and show him around our Home, in the heart of the Surbiton community. Residents enjoyed chatting to him and he enjoyed taking part in the activities. We are also grateful that he sat with staff and listened to their thoughts and concerns about the state of social care."

Royal Star & Garter in Surbiton is currently welcoming new residents. For more information on this, or working for the charity, go to www.starandgarter.org/surbiton