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Restoring emotional wellbeing
®Rais ing awareness o f t he r ange o f he lp and adv ice ava i l ab le to ve t e rans
Issue 30 December 2013
Call the Veterans-UK Helpline: 0800 169 2277* Email: [email protected]
Web: www.veterans-uk.info Facebook: Service Personnel and Veterans Agency (MOD) Twitter: @SPVAmod
HELP AND SUPPORT FROMSERVICE PERSONNEL AND VETERANS AGENCY
*You may be offered a call back if lines are busy
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3Issue 30 December 2013
Goodbye, HelloNew Royal Star and Garter home opens
Time to RememberCentenary plans move forward
May the ‘Money’ Force be with youFinancial training for Armed Forcescommunity
By appointmentHomeless veterans offered roadshow access
RegularsNews in BriefSPVA News
IN THIS ISSUE7
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Veterans WORLD is distributed to those who work in an advisoryrole.Managing Editor: Laurie MantonEditor: Clare EllisEmail: [email protected]
Want to make an editorial contribution?Contributions are most welcome.To raise awareness of an initiative, scheme or organisation that offershelp, advice or support to veterans, contact the Editorial Team by Email:[email protected] or by calling: 01253 338816
For distribution enquiriesEmail: [email protected] or call: 01253 338811
For information relating to War Pension/AFCS claims please call ourHelpline 0800 169 2277
© Crown copyright 2013
For advertising opportunities please contact:[email protected]
Front cover: Hope through horses - see page 17
The content of Veterans WORLD is provided to raise awareness ofhelp, advice and support available to the veterans community.Publication of articles on services provided or developmentsaffecting the veterans community does not mean that they areendorsed by Veterans WORLD or the Ministry of Defence.
Contents Issue 30December 2013
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News in brief
The Forces in Mind Trust (FiMT),established through a Big LotteryFund endowment to improve thetransition of Service personnel, andtheir families, from military intocivilian life, launched its seminal‘Transition Mapping Study’.
The study, conducted by TheFutures Company, reviewed how theentire transition process from militaryto civilian life currently works andhow it is viewed by stakeholders andrecent Service leavers.
An economic model developedfor the report calculates the total costof poor transition to the UK as awhole of £113 million in 2012. TheReport includes the calculated coststo the UK for different aspect of poormilitary transition, including mentalhealth issues at £26 million andalcohol misuse at £35 million.
The report contained over 26recommendations on how to reducethe number of these poor transitions.http://fim-trust.org/
Veterans’ charity, Alabaré opened theirnew Gosport Move On house, as part oftheir Hampshire Home for Veterans, inSeptember. The new home providesaccommodation for four residents withlow support needs.
The official opening was made byConservative MP for Gosport, CarolineDinenage, who cut the ceremonial ribbonto officially open the house. Alabaré’sSenior Chaplain, Canon Jonathan Martin,was also in attendance to deliver prayersat the event. Following the speeches,guests were invited to enjoy lightrefreshments and socialise with the otherguests.
The house allows ex-Service personneland veterans to focus on managing thesometimes difficult transition from the
Forces; where meals and accommodationare provided, and the bills are alreadypaid, back to a civilian lifestyle; whichrequires a new form of independencewhich the veterans may not haveexperienced before. Alabaré offers the ex-Service personnel a uniquecombination of accommodation andsupport. The project provides them with asafe and supportive environment, in whichthey can rebuild their confidence anddevelop essential skills, with the goal ofliving independently again.
Alabaré’s homes for veterans can nowbe found in five areas, and consist of 12 homes. The charity has supported morethan 210 veterans, since its first homeopened in Plymouth, in 2009. www.alabare.co.uk
Mental Health First Aid England markedWorld Mental Health Day on October 10, 2013 by launching the first ofits fully funded Instructor training sessionsfor the recently announced Armed ForcesMental Health First Aid (AFMHFA)programme. The collaborative initiativealso includes other veteran supportorganisations including the nationalmilitary charity SSAFA, Combat Stress andThe Royal British Legion.
The first Instructor course was held inLondon in October, followed by courses in Edinburgh and Durham and will roll
out across the regions in 2014/15. Once trained, AFMHFA Instructors will be fully qualified to deliver the specifically designed Mental Health FirstAid training to the wider Armed Forcescommunity.
Poppy Jaman, CEO for Mental HealthFirst Aid England said: “We believe that bytraining a wide section of the ArmedForces community in Mental Health FirstAid, lives will be saved and quality of lifeimproved for the young and old.”
It is anticipated, that by the summerof 2015, over 6,400 veterans and theirfamilies will have accessed training whichwill provide the mental health equivalentof first aid skills.
MHFA is urging anyone who isinterested in becoming an Armed ForcesMental Health Aid Instructor to visitwww.mhfaengland.org/armed-forcesand apply for one of the fully fundedcourses being run throughout 2014/15.
Successful militarytransition could save millions
The city of Stirling in Scotland willhost next year's Armed Forces Day.Plans are underway to create aspectacular national event on June28, 2014 in the historic city, enablingthe local community to lead thenation in honouring HM ArmedForces personnel past and present. Armed Forces Day in Stirling will bethe sixth national event since 2009.And this year saw a hugely successfulnational event held in Nottingham,attracting 100,000 people andattended by the Duke and Duchessof Gloucester representing HerMajesty The Queen.The national event forms part of thebroader Armed Forces Daycampaign. Held annually over oneweek in June, it is a week ofcelebrations and activitiesencouraging the public to show theirsupport for the Armed ForcesCommunity.www.armedforcesday.org.uk
Armed Forces Day 2014
Caroline Dinenage, Conservative MP for Gosport, officially opened the House and talked toresidents in the garden
New Gosport Move On House opened
Mental Health First Aid rolls out training forArmed Forces community
5Issue 30 December 2013
Veterans will play a pivotal role in the£2.4 million restoration of a FirstWorld War memorial park inFleetwood, Lancashire.
Memorial Park in the town hasbeen awarded the funding from theHeritage Lottery Fund and the BigLottery Fund to carry out acomprehensive restoration andcreate a five year programme ofcommunity activities to celebrate itsheritage and the unique history ofthe town.
An initiative led by volunteerveterans aiming to use the park toengage with young people,particularly young offenders, wassuccessfully piloted this year and isset to continue.
The Pharos Project, named aftera ward in the town, will explorethemes such as the reality of conflict,loyalty to friends and vandalism withthe aim of encouraging positiveactivities. www.wyre.gov.uk/memorialpark
In October,RotherhamMilitaryCommunityVeteransCentre (MCVC)hosted a visitby MajorAdrian Peters,the NationalDirector of theRecoveryCareerServices (RCS)which was setup this year toprovide theextra supportneeded bythose seriouslyinjured inservice of theircountry,
during their resettlement back intocivilian life.
A packed room of Veterans listenedintently to how the RCS helps those inmost need of assistance with mentoring,work placements, interview training and
job-finding; thereby empoweringwounded, injured and sick ServicePersonnel to achieve fulfilling secondcareers and moveforward their lives once more.
Steve Bentham-Bates, Life VicePresident of Rotherham MCVC said: “Thevisit was a great opportunity to learnmore about the work of RCS. Increasingour knowledge of initiatives supportingthe Armed Forces Community isimportant to successfully run our newoutreach service which starts in 2014.”
Rotherham MCVC have just beenawarded a grant from the CommunityCovenant Fund to start an outreachservice which will be operated byvolunteers from a purpose-built traileroperating around the outlying townshipsand villages of Rotherham and Barnsleyoffering advice and help to veterans whofor whatever reason haven’t accessed thesupport available in any way. The launchwill take place in January to coincide withthe second anniversary of the signing ofthe Covenant in the Borough.www.recoverycareerservices.org.ukwww.RotherhamMCVC.org.uk
Armed Forces community membersseeking a pathway to employment areset to benefit from the launch of newsupport organisation, 'SORTED!'
‘SORTED!’ is a consortium of sevenwell-established Service charitiessupported by a new website andhelpline which will provide easy accessto employment support for ArmedForces personnel past and present.
Launched in September, ‘SORTED!’has been jointly developed by theseven charities, all of whom currentlyprovide different tailored serviceswithin the employment support arena. The charities involved are the RegularForces Employment Association, theOfficers Association, The Royal BritishLegion, The Royal British LegionIndustries, the Poppy Factory, theOfficers Association Scotland andPoppyscotland. This is the first time Service charitieshave collaborated on this scale toprovide employment support.www.sorted.org.uk/
Celebrity chef and I’m a Celebrity Get MeOut of Here favourite, Rosemary Shrager,joined forces with Riverside ECHG tolaunch a groundbreaking partnershipaimed at commercially producing a line ofbiscuits, with ten per cent of the profitsgoing back into its specialist support andtraining for homeless Veterans, includingits specialist artisan bakery which providestraining opportunities for homelessveterans.
The Beacon is a purpose builtsupported housing scheme for at-riskhomeless Veterans and is part of thenational network of support for ex-Servicemen and women that Riversideprovides around the country.
Riverside’s Area Manager and himselfan ex-Serviceman, Trevor Morris, said,“The bakery provides training to equipthose suffering from post-traumatic stressor vulnerable to homelessness with newcareer skills and insight into running abusiness. Baking also offers a therapeuticoffer, which Rosemary has been incredibly
supportive of; we’re delighted by hersupport.”
Rosemary’s delicious Oaty and Gingerbiscuits will be available in all goodindependent retailers, includingRosemary’s new cookery school inTunbridge Wells.
The recipes for the biscuits have beendecided by Riverside’s Veteransthemselves with expert guidance fromRosemary.
Rosemary said, “We really wantpeople to dunk and donate, I cannot thinkof a better way of raising money forcharity than eating biscuits and drinking agood cup of tea.”www.spaces.org.uk
Memorial Parkrestoration project
New employmentsupport for ArmedForces
Rotherham initiative launches in January 2014
Biscuit line raises funds for veterans
Rosemary Shrager with Riverside veterans
“We really want people todunk and donate . . .”
6
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A new Help for Heroes runRecovery Centre, Phoenix House,has opened in Europe’s largestGarrison, Catterick.
THE £10.7 million, purpose-built,Recovery Centre provides a supportbase for wounded, injured and sickService personnel, veterans and theirfamilies from Scotland, the NorthWest and East of England and theNorth Midlands.
With guidance from military andcivilian specialists, residents developtheir own individual recovery planthrough activities, includingeducational programmes, workplacements and sport. All aredesigned to help them achieve theirlong-term goals and aspirations byimproving personal independence,raising morale and enjoying thecamaraderie of fellow Servicemenand veterans to help rebuild theirlives.
Phoenix House forms part of TheDefence Recovery Capability, an MODinitiative in partnership with Help forHeroes and The Royal British Legion.The new Recovery Centre is one ofseveral specialist centres supportingthe recovery of wounded, injured andsick Service personnel to ensure theyhave access to the key services andresources needed to help them either
return to duty or make a smoothtransition into an appropriatelyskilled and supported civilian life.
Performing the openingceremony at Phoenix House inCatterick were veterans from twodifferent eras – Gareth (Gaz)Golightly, 31, from Teesside whosefamily were the first to use theCentre, and 88-year-old Brigadier(Retd) John Painter who waswounded in the Second World Warbut recovered and returned to servehis country in the MalayanEmergency.
Gaz Golightly’s career as a vehiclespecialist in the Royal Logistic Corpsended less than a year after it hadbegun when he lost a leg following ahit and run motor accident whilereturning to barracks in Wiltshire in2002. After becoming a veteran, hedidn’t know where to turn for helpand, as a result, became veryintrospective and withdrawn.
“I had been doing nothing at
home. I was quite outgoing beforethe accident and I didn’t realise howwithdrawn I had become,” said Gaz. His wife Denise has witnessed first-hand the positive impact of PhoenixHouse: “It’s amazing how much ourhome life has improved with Gazcoming to Phoenix House. It’s a bigthing for us. He never used to takethe girls out on his own and did notspeak to anybody,” she recalls.
“He’s now talking to people, evenin the street, and will take thechildren out on his own. And, thanksto the provision of Family rooms, wecan all visit Phoenix House and getaway. I love coming here and so dothe kids. Everybody makes us feelwelcome.”
Bryn Parry, Co-Founder and CEO, Helpfor Heroes added: “Phoenix Housewill play a vital role in providing long-term support for serving andveteran members of the ArmedServices who have suffered life-changing injuries and illnesses. TheCentres are here to inspire, enableand support our wounded, and theirfamilies, for the rest of their lives.”
New Northern Recovery Centre opensPhoenix House, a new state-of-the-art Recovery Centre, opens at Catterick Garrison
Gaz Golightly and John Painter chatting at the launch
“The Centres are here toinspire, enable andsupport our wounded,and their families, for therest of their lives.”
Veterans Gaz Golightly andJohn Painter officially opened
Phoenix House
01748 834148
www.helpforheroes.org.uk/how-we-help/recovery-centres/catterick-north-yorkshire
@PhoenixHouseRC
7Issue 30 December 2013
In August, residents at The RoyalStar & Garter Home in Richmondsaid farewell to the historic Homeon Richmond Hill and moved into abrand new, purpose-built, state-of-the-art Home five miles away inSurbiton, Surrey.
THE HOME, which canaccommodate 63 residents, is thesecond to be built as part of theCharity’s modernisation plan. It is fullyequipped to offer brilliant care for theevolving physical needs of ex-Servicespeople and also specialist dementiacare. Mike Barter, The Royal Star &Garter Home’s Chief Executive, said:
“We are in the process of buildingnew homes around the country toprovide nursing care for disabled ex-Service people in the best modernsurroundings, including specialistdementia care facilities, to address thisgrowing need. Our first new homeopened in Solihull, the West Midlands,in 2008, and has already establisheditself as a centre of excellence. Itsstate-of-the-art facilities will beemulated in Surbiton andBuckinghamshire and enable us tooffer short break care for youngdisabled Service personnel.“
Leaving nothing to chance, theHome set up a task force responsiblefor delivering a seamless move,
ensuring that the moving process wasas stress-free and inclusive as possiblefor residents, relatives and staff at theRichmond Home. Every aspect of themove was carefully and sensitivelyplanned, from logistics to medicalconsiderations. A Moving-InCoordinator was also appointed toliaise with residents and relatives,supporting them before, during andafter the move.
An important part of the movingplan was providing residents with theopportunity to choose their own roomdécor and thus put their own stampon their living environment at the newSurbiton Home – which was very wellreceived. Residents were shown sixwhole room décor choices on ‘moodboards’ which included curtain fabrics,cushions, furniture wood colour finishand wall colour from a palette ofcolours provided by an interiordesigner. To assist residents indeciding which colour they would like,staff used tester pots and paintedsamples onto walls in spare rooms inthe Home, which really helped.
Residents and relatives were delightedto be involved in making theirselections and loved the colours andfabrics available.
Pauline Shaw, Director of Care andService Development at The Royal Star& Garter Homes, led the team whichplanned the move and commented onthe moving process: “Moving housecan be a stressful event for people andwe recognised that leaving ourRichmond Home would be anemotional and nostalgic time. Weplaced residents and their care at theheart of our decisions – and we aredelighted to report that they are nowsettling into their new Home andenvironment very well.”
Moving on upThe Royal Star & Garter Homes modernisation gains pace with a second Home opened
0208 439 8000
www.starandgarter.org
facebook.com/starandgarter
@starandgarter
Web
Phone
Resident Daphne Conway withMoving-In Coordinator Colette
Hammond
The Royal Star & Garter Home, Surbiton
“We placed residents andtheir care at the heart ofour decisions . . .”
Daphne waving goodbye to the old Home
8
A lot has been happening on theArmed Forces Covenant over thelast month, Veterans WORLD reportson the progress of the Armed ForcesCorporate Covenant.
AS reported in the last issue, thenew Corporate Covenant waslaunched in June this year. The
Covenant is a voluntary pledge byorganisations who wish todemonstrate their concrete supportfor the Armed Forces, veterans andtheir families. Under the Covenant,companies volunteer their ownspecific commitments to uphold theprinciples of the Covenant: that nomember of the Armed ForcesCommunity should face disadvantagein the provision of public andcommercial services compared to anyother citizen; and that in somecircumstances special treatment maybe appropriate, especially for theinjured or bereaved.
The Corporate Covenant hascontinued to gather momentumamongst businesses and charities inrecent weeks, with a host ofhousehold names signing up topledge their support for the ArmedForces Community. As Phil Dickinsonfrom the Covenant Team explained:“The Corporate Covenant is more thanjust nice words, it includes tangibleactions companies will take to support
veterans, including supporting theemployment of veterans, reservistsand Service spouses and partners, aswell as supporting cadet units, ArmedForces Day and providing discountsfor the Armed Forces Community.
“In recent weeks, lots ofcompanies have signed up to supportthe Covenant and made their ownspecific pledges. National Expresswere the first to sign up and plan tosupport the employment of veteransyoung and old by offering guaranteedinterviews to Service leavers with avalid PCV licence who live within anhour of the recruiting depot; offeringten additional annual leave days toemployers who choose to bemembers of the Reserve forces; andoffering a discount to members of theArmed Forces Community through theDefence Discount Service.
“Barclays were also quick to signup and have come up with a numberof different ways in which they cansupport veterans. Some of the excitinginitiatives Barclays are undertakinginclude: making work placementsavailable for veterans within Barclaysand participating service providers;supporting the employment ofwounded, injured and sick veteransthrough their ‘AFTER’ programme,which focuses on employability skillstraining; and developing a programmeto highlight how military qualificationsand skills apply to civilianemployment.
“All the companies we speak tomake it clear how much they value theveterans community. They tell us thatemploying Service veterans goesbeyond good PR, highlighting thebenefits they see of hiring veterans.For example, when launching theirCorporate Covenant, the Barclaysrepresentative pointed out howimportant the particular training andskills background that veterans pickup during their time in the Servicesare.
“We are looking forward to
Business Backing for the New Corporate Covenant Gathers Momentum
Crown Copyright/MOD
Crown Copyright/MOD
London district recently hosted a conference for all involved in theirCommunity Covenant
Supporting Armed Forces Day is part ofthe Covenant for communities to
support
9Issue 30 December 2013
www.gov.uk/the-corporate-covenantWeb
publishing details of more CorporateCovenant pledges shortly andencourage you to keep checking thewebsite – www.gov.uk/the-corporate-covenant - to follow the Covenant’sprogress and which companies aresigning up.”
Covenant in the community
The Armed Forces CommunityCovenant was launched in 2011 andhas been signed by about 380 localcouncils, including every single localcouncil in Scotland. The Communitycovenant encourages localcommunity groups to support theArmed Forces community in theirarea, and increase understanding and awareness of the issues they face.
It’s not just local councils thathave got involved in the CommunityCovenant, a wide range of localbusinesses, charities and communityorganisations have launched theirown projects, supporting greaterinteraction with the local Servicecommunity. These projects cover abroad range of activities and there aremany great examples of successfulprojects nationwide; from artsprojects portraying the difficultiesfaced by many members of theArmed Forces community, to outdooractivities which bring children fromcivilian and military backgroundstogether, to initiatives to help smooth the transition for veteransback into the civilian community andfind jobs.
These are some of the initiativeshelping the Armed ForcesCommunity:
• The Mid-Wales Manufacturing Group started a Community Covenant programme to help military personnel transfer their skills to the local business community.
• The Forest of Mercia Community Forest Partnership set up their ‘Survive’ project, which runs educational military survival days for schoolchildren.
• The Hailesland Children and Families Centre launched an initiative supporting children withbehavioural problems from Armed Forces families.
To find out about the CommunityCovenant activity in your area, go towww.gov.uk/armed-forces-community-covenant
Editor’s Note: Find out how some ofthe LIBOR money is being spent tosupport the Armed ForcesCommunity, see pages 14-15.
Armed Forces Covenant
“The CorporateCovenant ismore than justnice words . . .”
The London Borough of Harrow has signed up to the Community Covenant
The Corporate Covenant is gainingmomentum
Crown Copyright/MOD
Crown Copyright/MOD
10
Flagship project improves livesof Inverness veteransPoppyscotland welfare centre in Inverness formally openedPoppyscotland’s new welfare centrein Inverness was formally opened inSeptember by Carolyn Caddick,Highland Council Armed Forces &Veterans’ Champion.
AT AN event at the Strothers Lanecentre, Councillor Caddick was joinedby Poppyscotland Chief Executive IanMcGregor to mark the official openingof the charity’s first dedicated welfarecentre out with the central belt, whichprovides information, advice andsupport to the Armed Forcescommunity in the North of Scotland.
Danny Alexander, MP forInverness, Nairn, Badenoch &Strathspey, and representatives fromkey organisations and agencies alsoattended the event.
On opening the centre, CouncillorCaddick, who has been immenselysupportive of the initiative, said: “I amdelighted to welcome PoppyscotlandInverness to the area and after seeingthe results of the first few months ofits operation I firmly believe that it willcomplement and enhance the goodwork already being undertaken.”
“after seeing theresults of the first fewmonths of itsoperation I firmlybelieve that it willcomplement andenhance the goodwork already beingundertaken.”
Poppyscotland Inverness, with afull-time staff of three, opened itsdoors to the public in June and isalready making a positive impact. So
far the team has assisted 27 individuals, helping with a widerange of issues including finances,employment, health and housing.Partnerships have been developedwith local organisations, includingSSAFA (Inverness and Western IslesBranch), Royal British Legion Scotland,JobCentre Plus and the Army WelfareUnit at Fort George. Poppyscotlandalready has strong links in the areathrough its successful Armed ServiceAdvice Project in Inverness, Moray &Nairn, delivered by Citizens AdviceScotland.
Explaining the significance ofPoppyscotland Inverness, ChiefExecutive Ian McGregor said: “Sinceour merger in 2011 with our parentcharity The Royal British Legion, whichoperates south of the Border, we havebeen examining ways in which we canimprove the levels of supportavailable to the Armed Forcescommunity in Scotland both now andin the future.
“Extensive research and planning
has led us to develop the model ofPoppyscotland Inverness, a flagshipproject. We believe PoppyscotlandInverness will go a long way toimproving the lives of those in theArmed Forces community in the Northof Scotland now and in the future.”
Danny Alexander added: "I'mdelighted to see this much neededfacility to provide support for our ex-Service men and women in theHighlands. Since it opened its doors inJune Poppyscotland Inverness hasalready done terrific work to helppeople with their finances,employment, health and housing andwill be of benefit not only to thepeople they help, but also theirfamilies and friends."
L-R Ian McGregor, Carolyn Caddick, Danny Alexader and Nina Semple – Welfare Services Manager
Web
Phone
01463 710300Opening Times Monday to Friday(10am-4pm)
www.poppyscotland.org.uk
12
From August 2014, we willcommemorate the centenary of theFirst World War. It will be a majorundertaking in partnership with allof the nations that took part in orwere affected by the seminal eventin our modern history.
THE CENTENARY provides anopportunity to acknowledge the fallen,consciously reflect on the reality of warand to resolve to avoid it. It is anoccasion to explore the causes,conduct and consequences of theGreat War and to probe some of themythology that surrounds it. Dr Andrew Murrison MP, the PrimeMinister’s Special Representative forthe Centenary Commemorations,provided more details on theprogramme:
“The opening day of the centenaryon August 4, 2014 will see threegovernment-led events: a wreath-laying service in Glasgow following aspecial service for Commonwealthleaders at Glasgow Cathedral; an eventat the Commonwealth War GravesCommission’s St Symphorien MilitaryCemetery in Mons, Belgium, where thefirst and last Commonwealthuniformed casualties of the war areburied; and a candlelit vigil of prayerand penitence at Westminster Abbey
finishing at 11pm – the hour ofBritain’s entry to the war.
“Other activities in the four-yearprogramme will include national actsof remembrance to mark Gallipoli,Jutland, the first day of the Battle ofthe Somme, Passchendaele, and thelast 100 days of the war beginning withthe Battle of Amiens and ending onArmistice Day. We also want to createan educational legacy funded with £10 million from the Department forEducation and the Department forCommunities and Local Government,which will allow two studentambassadors, plus a teacher, from eachmaintained school in England to visitFirst World War battlefields andundertake research on people local totheir school who fought in the War.
“And there will be at least £15 million from the Heritage LotteryFund, including a new £6 millioncommunity project fund to enablepeople working in their communitiesto conserve, explore and share localheritage of the First World War –details on how to apply for funding isat www.hlf.org.uk.
“As an example of work currentlyunderway, we have recentlyannounced plans for specialcommemorative paving stones to be
laid in the home towns of all those inthe UK who received the Victoria Crossfor ‘valour in the face of the enemy’during the War.
“And we will be making it easier forcommunities to get grants to restoreand refurbish their war memorials. Sothere will plenty happening from largescale events to more intimatecommemorations at a local level.”
Four-year Centenary programmebegins in 2014
The English Heritage offered Dr Murrison the opportunity to visit the work beingundertaken to restore the Cenotaph in preparation for the Centenary.
Britain and France signed a Letter ofIntent about collaborating on Centenaryevents in July 2013. Dr. Andrew MurrisonMP, the British Prime Minister's SpecialRepresentative for the CentenaryCommemorations, and the French
Minister for Veteran's Affairs, Kader Arif,signed the letter on behalf of the French
Government.
Interested groups, large and small, canget involved through the Imperial WarMuseum’s First World War CentenaryPartnership, a network of over 1,400local, regional, national and internationalcultural and educational organisationsled by IWM at www.1914.org. Together,partners will present a vibrantprogramme of cultural and educationalevents and activities, and digitalplatforms which will enable millions toconnect with 1914-1918 and the menand women who served their country inuniform and on the home front.
“we will be making it easierfor communities to get grantsto restore and refurbish theirwar memorials.”
Nations stand together to remember the First World War
13Issue 30 December 2013
The MoneyForce website andtraining programme providesaccessible online support that iscustomised for Service personneland their families, to help them plantheir finances better, both whilethey are in Service and once theyleave the Armed Forces. It includesimpartial information to help themmake informed decisions.
MONEYFORCE is delivered by TheRoyal British Legion in partnershipwith the MOD and with the support ofthe Standard Life Charitable Trust whohave funded the project.
The MoneyForce website covers avariety of topics which include:
• Managing money;• Your Career; • Life and family;• Managing crises; and• Get Help Now.
Adam’s story
“It just escalated to a point wherewe didn’t know where our next poundwas coming from and how we weregoing to pay bills. We felt like we weregetting squashed by everything.”
MoneyForce has been launched toprevent Service personnel finding
themselves in a similar situation to theone experienced by ex-soldier Adam.
Adam, from Weston-super-Mare,served for 14 years in the Royal GreenJackets after joining up aged 16. Whenhe left in 2001 he found civilian lifedifficult and went through 14 jobs inthe first year and split from his firstwife. He soon met his current wife,Sarah, with whom he has two children.While they are a happy family now,they have experienced some toughtimes and had to be rescued fromfinancial crisis by The Royal BritishLegion and the Citizens’ AdviceBureau.
Struggling to find regular workand with no financial know-how,Adam found himself in hock to debtmanagement companies, struggling topay for nappies and household bills,facing bankruptcy and eviction anddesperate for help.
He says: “The Army gave mephenomenal support with retrainingwhen I left but they didn’t teach youfinancial situations. Banks will bendover backwards for Forces memberswhile they’re serving because theyhave a guaranteed wage.
“I was a bit naïve and I took on abit more than I could handle andbasically my outgoings were higherthan my income. As a soldier you’vegot such pride and such self-reliancethat you think there isn’t anything thatanyone can throw at you that youwon’t be able to sort out. Eventuallyfriends helped me go to the Legion.”
The Legion and Citizen’s Advicetalked Adam through his finances, andmade sure he was claiming anybenefits he was entitled to, put him intouch with Job Centre Plus andarranged some help from his energycompany.
“Everything they did for us wasphenomenal because they came outwith all these things that we hadn’theard about. Myself and my wife areso much happier now.”
Get ‘Money fit’ with MoneyForceNew programme designed to improve the financial capabilities of members of the Armed Forces
www.moneyforce.org.uk
www.facebook.com/MoneyForce
www.youtube.com/MoneyForcevideo
The first MoneyForce training was held in Scotland in August 2013 with the Royal Scots Borderers and the Standard Life Charitable Trust
MoneyForce provides accessibleonline support for the Armed Forces
Community
Web
YouTube
14
New funding provides Mental health services benefit from LIBOR Fines
The Warrior Programme received£930,000 from the LIBOR fund. Lt Col John Cummings, Director of TheWarrior Programme explained how thefunding has already been put to use:“We are delighted to have received thefunding. It will enable The WarriorProgramme to expand its operation forveterans and to design and deliver abespoke, structured support andeducation programme for families.This generous funding will allow us todeliver a course per month for 25-30personnel for the next two yearsacross England and Wales startingfrom October 2013.
“We will continueto integrate ourprogramme withinthe charity sector,utilising theexpertise, knowledgeand capacity of thesector to ensure thecontinuedprogression of
‘Warriors’. Our families programme(pictured) has commenced and hasbeen well received. This now allowsthe family unit to benefit from ourtraining and education programme.We continue to review and refine ourdelivery and importantly we willcontinue to contribute to providingevidence for the much neededresearch in this important area.”
Veterans Outreach Support (VOS)began as a monthly drop-in atPortsmouth Royal Maritime Club in2008. Here, ex-Servicemen and familiescould meet over coffee, seek help fromagencies like The Royal British Legion(who covered incidentals), SSAFA,Combat Stress and Citizen’s AdviceBureau and see a psychiatrist/therapist– addressing overall well-beingalongside mental health. All serviceswere free.
Five years on, VOS has 15 agenciesworking together and its own mentalhealth team, but is almost bursting andneeds to offer weekly treatment.
The LIBOR funding of £414,000 hasenabled VOS to begin weekly therapy,set up an office and grow local capacity,with potential franchises elsewhere.Chairman Surgeon Captain MorganO’Connell, formerly a Royal Navypsychiatrist, said: “There is much to dobut this now makes it all possible.”
VOS is open 2pm-7pm on the 1st Wednesday of every month at The Royal Maritime Club, Queen Street,Portsmouth. PO1 3HS
Oxfordshire Mind’s ‘Looking AfterOurselves’ project draws ontechniques from CognitiveBehavioural Therapy (CBT) to help thewives and partners of Servicepersonnel improve their well-beingand self esteem, and develop personalstrategies to manage the particularstresses of Service life.
This innovative ‘pilot’ programmewas developed following a
consultation with Service personneland their families at Dalton Barracks,Vauxhall Barracks, Bicester Garrison,RAF Brize Norton and RAF Benson.Funded by the Armed ForcesCovenant (LIBOR Fund) and the localNHS, this pilot will be evaluated to seeif it can be rolled out more widely.
Patrick Taylor, Director ofOxfordshire Mind, said: “Ourprogramme will help Service familiesimprove their mental health, well-being and resilience, and buildmore bridges with local communities.”
Oxfordshire Mind providessupport for anyone in Oxfordshireaffected by mental health problems.
‘Looking After Ourselves’
Cure sometimes, Healoften, Comfort always.
Earlier this summer, funding from the LIBOR banking fineswas announced to supportmental health initiatives.Veterans WORLD asked some ofthe charities what the fundinghas meant to them.
The Warrior Programme
Web
Phone
02392 731767
www.vosuk.org Web
Phone
01865 247788 (9.30 to 4.30, Monday to Friday)
Web
Phone
www.oxfordshire-mind.org.uk
0560 2043180
www.warriorprogramme.org.uk
15Issue 30 December 2013
s new opportunities
Shore Leave Haslar, a project based inthe Memorial Garden at the formerRoyal Naval Hospital in Gosport,provides a safe haven for veteranssuffering from mental health issues tobenefit from the recuperative effectsof horticultural therapy. The recentgrant of £13,000 from thegovernment LIBOR fund has enabledthe organisation to improve thefacilities offered to veterans. Part ofthe bid money went towards the costof a log cabin, which has provided a
tranquil space for therapystaff to work from. Theremainder of the grantpurchased a sit-onlawnmower to managethe parkland area of the
garden and a new gateway willimprove access to the site.
The project leader, Chris Robson,said “This injection of funds hasallowed us to expand the service wecan offer. The therapy space meanswe can work more closely with ourcolleagues at Veterans OutreachSupport in Portsmouth in providingmore holistic mental health support.”
Riverside ECHG provides a nationalnetwork of housing and support forover 1,000 ex-Servicemen andwomen each year.
In June 2013, they learnt their bidto the LIBOR Fund for £31,276 to funda Therapeutic Baker at their state-of-the-art Beacon scheme in Catterickwas successful.
Based in The Beacon’s onsitebakery, the Veterans Artisan Bakery,Riverside will now have a dedicatedbaker to concentrate on the
therapeutic value of baking bread byintroducing training techniquestailored to each individual’scircumstances.
Mark Nightall, Riverside’s Directorof Supported Housing, said: “Bakinggives veterans deep satisfactionknowing they have createdsomething from scratch. Riverside isproud to be able to deliver thisinnovative approach to ourresidents.”
The training will benefit residentssuffering from psychological issuesand psycho-social intrusions in theirlife. Trevor Morris, Riverside’s MODArea Manager, said: “It’s an importantpart of our Health and Well-beingstrategy to utilise baking to deliverimmense benefits to our Veterans.”
What does a donation of £160,000mean to a charity like Veterans Aid? Agreat deal of 'purchasing power'certainly - but how is its real valuemeasured?
Its experienced staff understandthat while conditions like PTSD havededicated funding directed towardsthem, the depression and mentalfragility associated with many of life'sother problems is often overlooked.
VA's holistic approach to veterans’well-being ensures that this doesn'thappen and while some of the moneyhas been spent on obtainingcounselling and traditional help, muchhas also gone on vital 'post-triage'support.
CEO Dr Hugh Milroy explains:"Getting someone stabilised and backon their feet is only the beginning of adifficult journey. Of equal importanceto VA is the process of support andreinforcement that follows and thistakes many forms.”
With the help of the grant, VA’ssubstance abuse counsellor Phil Rogersarranged a week of activities aimed ataddressing these intangibles for ten ofits clients who had successfullycompleted treatment. Camping,boxing, kayaking, playing bowls andclimbing may not be consideredtraditional 'treatments' but in terms of'outcome' they are immeasurable.
Measuring value From veterans to bakers
Shore Leave Haslar
www.shoreleavehaslar.org
“This injection offunds has allowed usto expand the servicewe can offer.”
Web
01748 833797
www.spaces.org.ukWeb
Phone
0800 012 6867
www.veterans-aid.netWeb
Phone
16
To dedicated football fans, nothingbeats watching a game live,cheering on their team, surroundedby fellow supporters. However forthose suffering with post traumaticstress disorder (PTSD) evenattending a football match whenthe stadium is crowded can be astruggle.
PREVIOUSLY known as ‘shellshock’, PTSD is an emotional reactionto a traumatic, deeply shocking ordisturbing experience of the typeexperienced by members of theArmed Forces.
To help those affected, SheffieldWednesday Football Club CommunityProgramme has teamed up with theBig Lottery Fund to support ex-Servicepersonnel who are struggling to copewith post-military life.
The club was awarded a Lotterygrant of £9,960 to test a programmeof support to ex-Service personnelsuffering with PTSD and other formsof anxiety. From relaxation activities,such as Tai Chi to psycho-educationprogrammes and training in socialand coping skills, the project will workto help those affected to put the past
experiences behind and live fulfillingand happy lives.
The club’s CSR DevelopmentManager Spencer Taylor, explained:“The whole process will lead toalleviating stress and giving pathwaysto further training to enable ex-Service personnel to integratemore comfortably back into civiliansociety.
“The psycho educationprogramme will help people to have abetter knowledge of their illness sothey can live better with theircondition. Beneficiaries will be givenstrength, resources and coping skillsto help contribute to their own healthand well-being on a long term basis.
“The funding is so important tothe scheme, and also to the familiesand friends who want to see theirloved-ones integrate fully into societyand their local community.”
The Big Lottery Fund is nostranger to supporting the ArmedForces. Between April 2012 and March 2013, grants totalling£6,696,340 went to supporting ex-Service personnel and veterans. Big Lottery Fund spokesperson, MarkMcGann said: “The Big Lottery Fund isproud to support our ex-Servicemenand women. Anyone wanting tosupport them in their area with asimilar scheme should visitwww.biglotteryfund.org.uk to see ifthey too could get a Lottery grant toget their scheme underway.”
Veterans Programme nets Lottery FundingLottery-backed project to alleviate stress
Andrea Hudson, Funding Officer, with Spencer Taylor and Karen Johnson,Occupational Therapist
“The whole process willlead to alleviatingstress and givingpathways to furthertraining to enable ex-Service personnel tointegrate morecomfortably back intocivilian society.”
Web
Phone
Sheffield Wednesday FC’s Hillsborough Stadium
0114 324 0775
www.swfc.co.uk
17Issue 30 December 2013
Web
The equine-linked programmesupporting veterans restoreemotional well-being and re-integrate back into civilian life.
THE LIFE SKILLS learningprogramme, Dare to Live, aims to makea difference by giving veterans thetools to help them successfully return,by supporting the transition process inall aspects – from family to the widercommunity and workplace. Thefacilitator teams include ex-Servicepersonnel who offer mentorship andpost-programme support that clientsfind invaluable.
Uniquely, horses are an integralpart of the programme as they naturallyfacilitate veterans to gain new insightsand strategies for successfulcommunication and relationshipbuilding.
Established in 2012, the ground-breaking programme* evolved from thework and research conducted by theInternational Foundation of EquineAssisted Learning (IFEAL), and the
founder’s military experience. Thecourse is sensitively conducted byexperienced and qualified therapistsand offers insights and techniques tosupport veterans suffering the effects ofPTSD, depression, stress and addiction.All the facilitated interactions with thehorses are safe and non-ridden.
From this year, veterans areawarded an Interpersonal Skills Trainingcertificate (Edexcel Assured CrossfieldsInstitute Qualification) whencompleting the three-day course. Thecertificate helps veterans exploreemployment opportunities and givepotential employers evidence of achange in interpersonal relationshipmanagement – ideal for those wherethis has been a previous barrier toemployment.
A Royal Engineers’ story
Hugh Forsyth was diagnosed withPTSD in 2006 by Combat Stress. InJanuary 2012, his welfare officersignposted him to Dare to Live and he ventured down to the farm in Sussexwith a small group of other veterans toparticipant in the programme.
“I served in the Royal Engineers for12 years with the high risk bombdisposal teams in Northern Ireland andBosnia. It was my job to find improvisedexplosive devices. As a result of what Iexperience I developed PTSD which leftme scared, depressed and virtuallyhousebound.
“Even on the first day of theprogramme, when working with one ofthe horses I had a breakthrough andfelt like a young boy again. After allthose years of being on high alert, in avery short time and with the guidanceof the facilitator, the horses gave backthe calm stillness that I had sought foryears.”
A year on, Hugh’s recovery andpursuit to get back to work hasculminated in him being trained tobecome the Operations Manager ofDare to Live – thanks to the PoppyFactory who are supporting him backinto employment with the financialsupport of Walking with the Wounded.
Hugh’s unique insight through hisjourney of recovery from war-relatedPTSD and to recovery and employmentis invaluable to other participants andtheir families.
Hope through horsesLife skills programme helps veterans ‘dare to live’
01342 850330
www.ifeal.me/dare-to-live/
*The programme is a not-for-profitSocial Enterprise, run by theInternational Foundation ofEnquine-Assisted Learning (IFEAL),veterans may receive referrals andfunding from Armed Forcesorganisations and charities.
“ . . . the horses gave backthe calm stillness that I hadsought for years.”
Phone
Hugh with Ko-Li the horse
Photo Credit: John Lawrence
18
Web
Phone
Information about the ServicePersonnel and Veterans Agency(SPVA) and the help and adviceavailable to ex-Service personnel isbeing offered to people attendingvoluntary meetings as a result ofbeing identified by City of LondonPolice as begging in the Capital.
PCSO SAM HOWARD, City ofLondon Police, is working on theinitiative: “The City of London Policehas always taken the concerns of thepublic with regards to begging veryseriously and we are working withpartners in the public and charitablesectors on a longer term solution tothis issue.
“We’re making use of CCTV, plainclothes officers and uniform patrols atknown begging locations at pertinenttimes to help identify individualscommitting what is a criminal offence.
“Discretion is used, depending onthe circumstances, when dealing withbegging. If an arrest for the offence isnot considered to be necessary,beggars are offered an alternative toattend an educational and welfare
appointment to discuss their issueswith advisors from public andcharitable sectors”.
Attendance at the monthlymeetings is entirely voluntary and anopportunity for beggars to addresstheir issues, take responsibility forthem and start tackling them withprofessional support. Drug workers,homeless charities and mental healthadvisors are among the agenciesavailable for advice.
Police working on the schemealong with support staff have beenmade aware of the facilities andsupport which ex-Service personnelare entitled to and will continue tolook out for veterans begging andsleeping rough on the streets of theCity.
Sam added: “While addressingpublic concerns, it is also essentialthat we don’t criminalise beggars andto try to work with them and addresstheir issues. In the first two monthsthat we’ve run the scheme, more than75 people have been issued tickets toattend appointments, some receiving
more than one. “Attendees have been assisted
with getting places at local hostelsand access to drop in centres. Forthose with a drug addiction, somehave been placed on methadoneprogrammes. Others just come for acup of tea and to talk - and inconversation with officers and welfarestaff solutions to their issues can bediscussed.
“Of course, some beggars arepersistent, cause harassment to thepublic and will not accept the supportthat is being offered and refuse toattend appointments. At this point,City of London Police has to adopt arobust approach, which can lead toarrest and criminal action. However,this is a last resort for us. The schemehas been designed to aid therehabilitation and re-housing ofpeople, who often just need someextra support to provide them with amore stable lifestyle.”
City of London Police tackle beggingVeterans benefit from new City initiative
Web www.cityoflondon.police.uk/CityPolice/CommunityPolicing/roughsleepers/dealingwithhomelessnes.htm
0207 601 2452
PCSO Howard talking to a rough sleeper in the city
PCSO Howard on patrol
19Issue 30 December 2013
The national charity SSAFA isseeking volunteers to mentor sickor injured Service personnel whomay struggle to cope during thetransition to civilian life.
A Mentoring scheme piloted lastyear is now to be rolled outnationally, the project hopes to see250 mentors in place by the end of2014.
The scheme is being operated bySSAFA with the help of the DefenceRecovery Capability.
Those discharged from the Armydue to sickness or injury will beoffered the additional support if it isthought their circumstances mayresult in a difficult transition intocivilian life. Indicators to qualify forconsideration could include signs ofmental health issues such as PTSD orthose who may have few roots in thecivilian world to return to.
Karen Oldfield from SSAFA ismanager of the scheme: “The servicewill support soldiers navigate themany different sources of supportavailable. This scheme will keep a
watchful eye on those identified asfacing potential difficulties and helpsee them through what can be a verydifficult time.”
Dominique was serving with theArmy. Joining up to better herself,she loved the camaraderie and senseof family that the militaryprovided. She was living in marriedquarters with her husband after thebirth of her first son. Returning towork required her to be posted toofar from home to make the journeyeach day so she stayed inaccommodation on the camp.
Being away from home wasdifficult and resulted indepression. Dominique made thedifficult decision that it would be best
to leave the Army. Her problemswere compounded when she becamethe victim of an incident whilewalking back to her room alone. Shefelt that she had lost her faith in theorganisation she loved and in men.As her confidence began to suffer, thedepression deepened.
Her circumstances meant that shewas eligible to take part in the pilot ofMentoring Scheme. Dominiquecommented, “Without the support ofmy mentor I don’t know how I wouldhave managed. It was great to havesomeone to talk to. After the incidentit was an uphill struggle to regain myconfidence and I lacked motivation tomove on with my life.
“The relationship I have with mymentor is bigger than a friendship,she can be more honest with me thana friend and I don’t feel I amburdening someone.”
With Karen’s help, Dominique isonce more able to look to the futureand has started to help out at a localpottery with a view to opening herown studio one day.
Veterans volunteers neededHelping injured soldiers into civilian life
0207 4038783
www.ssafa.org.uk
Web
Phone
Dominique (left) with Karen, her Mentor
Mentoring helps to bolsterconfidence and self esteem,empowering the soldier to worktowards their goals for their futureand realise their true potentialoutside the military.
Most mentor and menteerelationships last around a year.Many mentors come from a Force’sbackground themselves but this isnot essential and some menteesactually prefer talking to a civilian.Common sense, life experienceand being able to listen are by farand away the most importantattributes. Training and expensesare provided to volunteers.
The service will supportsoldiers navigate themany different sources ofsupport available.
“”
20
Veterans’ charity Poppyscotlandand mental health charity SAMH(Scottish Association for MentalHealth) are working together todeliver Employ-Able, a service thatprovides local support, training andpractical advice to assist veteransacross Scotland in their search forjobs.
EMPLOY-ABLE aims to removebarriers, help develop skills and setgoals, taking the form of one-to-oneand group work sessions, using themodel of SAMH’s successfulworkshop-based Tools for Livingprogramme. Ongoing support onceveterans are in employment is alsoavailable.
Bobby Duffy, Director ofOperations at SAMH said: “Scotland’sveterans deserve as much support aswe can give them when they settleback into the community. We know itcan be hard for some veterans to getback into regular employment andthat unemployment and financialdifficulties are bad for your mental
health, so we’re really pleased to beworking with Poppyscotland todeliver this service.”
There are around 189,000veterans of working age in Scotlandand Poppyscotland research suggeststhat the unemployment rate forveterans aged 18-49 is twice that ofthe general UK population, witharound 28,000 veterans in Scotlandout of work. The research found a lackof current employability services thatspecifically target veterans who maybe vulnerable or need additionalsupport to get back into work.Employ-Able is intended to addressthis gap.
Gary Gray, Head of WelfareServices at Poppyscotland,commented: “A small but significantnumber of veterans face difficulty in
adjusting to civilian lifewith many facingcomplex and multipleissues. Employment andmental health are areasof great concern as theyimpact greatly on allaspects of veterans’ livesand those of theirfamilies. By combiningPoppyscotland’sknowledge of veterans’issues and SAMH’sexpertise we believeEmploy-Able will tacklesome of these key areasof difficulty and improveveterans’ prospects.”
Army veteranWilliam Burnett(23) served with theRoyal Regiment ofScotland for fouryears and saw service inAfghanistan. After
leaving the Armed Forces Williamstruggled to find a secure job but heis now in full-time employment as awarehouse assistant after taking partin Employ-Able. He said: “I was anervous wreck when it came tointerviews and never got the jobs Iapplied for. Employ-Able really helpedme to get my confidence back. Ithelped me to develop my skills and Ireceived support to prepare forinterviews and get my CV up to date.
“I am now in a full-time job, whichis going really well, and I am still incontact with my work preparationadviser who is there to offer meongoing support. I would recommendEmploy-Able to anyone who is unsureabout how to get back into work aftertheir time in the Forces.”
Employ-Able veteransPartnership service helping Scotland’s veterans into work
Web
PhonePoppyscotland’s Employment Services Co-Ordinator Dot Pringle on 0131 550 1568
www.samh.org.ukwww.poppyscotland.org.uk
“Employ-Able reallyhelped me to get myconfidence back.”
Working in partnership to remove barriers to seeking employment
21Issue 30 December 2013
A new course to help meet themental health and social care needsof the UK’s estimated 4.6 millionmilitary veterans has beenlaunched by Anglia RuskinUniversity.
THE Masters Degree (MSc) inMilitary Veterans and Family Studies isa unique course which will provideeducation and training for peopleworking with veterans, either in thehealth service or within charities.
Studies have shown that,although the majority do well,approximately one in five veteransmay develop mental health problemsafter leaving the Services. Depressionand alcohol misuse are the mostcommon mental health disorders,some veterans are also vulnerable tosocial exclusion, homelessness andinvolvement in the criminal justicesystem.
Risk of suicide and depression isheightened immediately after makingthe transition to civilian life although;other than Army males under 25 yearsof age, rates are lower than the UKgeneral population. Approximately
four per cent of Regular servingpersonnel returning from deploymentin Iraq and Afghanistan reportsymptoms of post-traumatic stressdisorder (PTSD). This is similar to theprevalence of PTSD in the general UKpopulation. Veterans are also muchless likely than the general populationto seek immediate help for theirproblems, often taking several yearsto do so.
When leaving the Services,healthcare provision transfers to theNHS but the upheaval of leaving the‘military bubble’ can make it difficultfor veterans to engage in civilianmental health services.
Professor Jamie Hacker Hughesserved in the Army in the 1970s and1980s, and became the MOD’s head ofclinical psychology. He conceived anddeveloped the MSc in MilitaryVeterans and Family Studies at AngliaRuskin.
Professor Hacker Hughes said:“The mental health needs of militaryveterans and their families receivesignificant attention. However, thereis still an unmet need for a progressive
course that can address educationand training on issues of military andveteran mental health and social care.
“Anglia Ruskin’s MSc will bedelivered by experts in the field andwill provide students – professionalsworking in the military, allied healthcare, NHS and third sector – with theknowledge that is necessary to workeffectively with their military andveteran clients.”
The course, which began inSeptember, will cover a range ofissues including the effects oftraumatic exposure, adjustment toinjury, and reintegration to family andcivilian life. A number of stakeholdershave helped in its design, includingthe Department of Health and NHS,the MOD and Combat Stress, the UK’sleading charity specialising in thetreatment and support of veteranswith mental health problems.
Diane Palmer, who is ServiceManager at Veterans First, The NorthEssex Veterans Service, said: “This is anexciting and unique new course thatwill provide a range of professionalsand clinicians with the underpinningknowledge and skills to work with ourArmed Forces and veterans. Thosewho successfully complete this coursewill be prepared to work at both aclinical and strategic level withinspecialist services.”
Peter Poole, Director of StrategicPlanning and Partnerships at CombatStress, said: “While the majority of the20,000 people who leave the ArmedForces every year successfullytransition to civilian life, a significantminority can face difficulties. Thiscourse will ensure that there arebetter informed professionals to meettheir needs.”
www.anglia.ac.uk/mvfs
New course to meet needsof military veteransAnglia Ruskin University’s MSc is first in the UK to provide specialist training
Web
Phone
Professor Hacker Hughes
Sqn Ldr (Retd) Mark Sewart, on 0845 196 4180
22
Combat Stress is evolving to helpindividuals develop new skills andcoping strategies at four RoyalBritish Legion sites, as well asoffering the specialist support at itsthree treatment centres.
PREVIOUSLY, Combat Stress’sshort-stay residential programme hassupported veterans at their treatmentcentres and focused on psycho-education and well-being –usually as a standalone rollingprogramme or with some activitiesbeing used alongside their clinicaltreatments to enhance a Veteran’soverall experience.
They’ve learnt that, apart fromdealing with the immediate issuescaused by trauma-related injuries,Veterans need more support to meet arange of needs. This is why CombatStress has developed programmes atBreakAway Rehabilitation Centres inpartnership with The Royal BritishLegion – the week-long programmesare held at one of four Royal BritishLegion centres throughout the UK.
Veterans are expected to get involvedand their partners are also invited to
attend dedicated sessions to helpthem address their worries.
Many factors influence our well-being and evidence shows thatthe actions we take and the way wethink have the biggest influence. It canhelp to think about ‘being well’ assomething you do, rather thansomething you are. The more you putin, the more you are likely to get out.
The programme is comprehensiveand provides veterans with anopportunity to engage based on thefives principles of well-being:
Connect – feeling close to others andfeeling valued is a fundamental need.
Being Active – regular physicalactivity is directly associated withlower rates of depression - activitypromotes mental health and physicalwell-being.
Taking Notice – reminding yourselfthrough reflection can heightenawareness of your own mental well-being. Taking notice willenhance well-being but also serve toreaffirm life priorities.
Learn – through participation in newactivity we learn new skills andengage socially – this helps us grow inconfidence and self esteem. Learning
a new skill we can lift people out of adepressive state of mind.
Give – Individuals who help others aremore likely to rate themselves ashappy. An act of kindness once aweek over a six-week period isassociated with an increase in well-being.
The courses are themed aroundthe topic of recovering ordinary livesthrough occupational therapy, takinginto consideration developing skillsand promoting social inclusion. Keysessions will focus on the specificneeds of the veteran - copingtechniques to feel confident in a busyshopping environment, an activity tofocus on relaxation or strategies forrestful sleep to name a few examples.
Healing Minds, Rebuilding LivesRecovering ordinary lives through occupational therapy
0800 138 1619
www.combatstress.org.uk
www.facebook.com/CombatStress
@CombatStress
One recent BreakAway groupparticipated in activities such asphotography, music, sketching on thebeach, Tai Chi and holistic therapiessuch as massage. Where possible,veterans are encouraged to take a leadrole in these groups, and for futurebreaks, it is hoped that veterans cantake an active role in planning theirown breaks and act as facilitators.
Web
Phone
Paul Welton, served in Bosnia and Northern Ireland, now on his recovery journeyworking as a cook in a school
Many factors influenceour well-being andevidence shows that theactions we take and theway we think have thebiggest influence
23Issue 30 December 2013
Web
Phone
This summer a new Service‘Outside the Wire’ was launched formembers of the Armed ForcesCommunity with drug and alcoholrelated issues.
THE Matthew Project has beenworking in the drug and alcohol fieldin Norfolk for nearly 30 years and hasestablished a strong reputationlocally for providing high quality
services to bothyoung people andadults in innovativeand effective ways.
Its newservice 'Outside theWire’ is for servingand ex-Servicepersonnel and theirfamilies, includingthose involved withthe TA. The serviceis provided by TheJunction which ispart of theMatthew Project.The Junction hasthe capacity towork across thewhole of Norfolkand provides aunique andqualified insight intothe treatment needs
and issues faced by this client group.What makes it stand apart from otherservices is that it is carried out byworkers who are themselves ex-Service.Andy Wicks [pictured], The JunctionTeam Manager said: “The OutsideThe Wire team offers innovative andcomprehensive support, whichincludes confidential meetings at
locations of the client’s choice. We’realso sensitive to the complexities ofmilitary life and the oftenunderstandable resistance toadmitting the extent of any personalissues, especially those relating toPTSD and other mental health issues,alcohol and drug use, domesticviolence and family related issues.“Outside The Wire offers a wide rangeof help from specialist referrals, freetreatment services, relapseprevention, advocacy to help withstopping smoking. We also provideoutreach support and undertakehome visits. Our clients are assessedand receive individual tailoredsupport where they can receive one-to-one sessions, family support isalso available.”
01263 510900
www.matthewproject.org
Outside The Wire Veterans fighting substance misuse together
Outside The Wire has already helpedthese veterans . . .
“When I left the Royal Navy Isuddenly found that my life had lostits sense of purpose and had nodirection, it left me feeling lost andconfused. I started self-medicatingwith illicit drugs that helped tonumb by emotions. I found TheJunction and I am now drug-free anda contributing member of society.”
“I served in the Royal Air Forcefor 10 ½ years, upon my exit I startedto find it difficult to cope and controlmy drinking and gambling, which in
turn led to depression and problemswithin my marriage. A doctormentioned The Junction, they sawme very quickly and I have foundtheir sessions very rewarding andbeneficial. The Junction also helpedmy family which has improved mymarriage.”
“I have been involved with TheJunction on and off for three yearsafter leaving the Army. The staff arevery understanding and do notjudge, nothing is too much trouble.Without them I don’t know whatwould have happened to me.”
“I don’t know what would have happened to me.”
Andy Wicks
24
Web
Phone
The Veterans Welfare Service (VWS)actively promotes working inpartnership with ex-Servicecharities and organisations, usingtheir combined expertise to gainthe best possible outcome for theveterans needing support.
THE VWS is one of the servicesprovided by the Service Personnel andVeterans Agency, providing welfaresupport to every postcode in the UKand the Republic of Ireland. VWSrecognised that working with local-based organisations would bebeneficial to the veterans communityin their region.
Kevin Goodwin, VWS WelfareManager based in Glasgow, explainedhow the one of these partnershipsworks: ”Both VWS and The ArmedServices Advice Project (ASAP) providesupport to the Armed ForcesCommunity in Scotland and werecognised that we have differentexpertise and knowledge that couldreally help veterans if we workedtogether. We have the knowledgeand skills for MOD pension andcompensation schemes; ASAP havegreat expertise in debt and financialadvice.
“On individual cases, we’ll look atwho is best placed to provide adviceand support and take it forward fromthere. We’re finding that thisapproach is working really well and
our customers are really happy withthe partnership working too from thefeedback we’ve received. Mostimportantly, we’re also reaching moreclients by working this way.”
Strengthening and sharingknowledge helps maintain the alreadysuccessful relationship and is a priorityand VWS staff recently joined ASAP inEdinburgh for a best practice trainingevent. During the event, Kevin andAlly Gemmell an ASAP support Officer,gave a presentation on the benefits ofpartnership working which they wereable to illustrate with practicalexamples of joint working.
Presentations on both the War
Pension Scheme and the ArmedForces Compensation Scheme werealso given. Attendees got a briefoverview of both schemes, answeredquestions and got clarification onsome of the finer points of theschemes. The day gave all attendeesthe chance to get to know each othera bit better, put some faces to names,and strengthen and encourage analready flourishing partnership.
Brian Finch, VWS Regional WelfareManager, said: “This was veryproductive and we really appreciatethe support offered to the ArmedForces community, both Servingpersonnel and veterans, by ASAP. Wehave worked closely with ASAP for thelast couple of years to ensure thatindividuals benefit from both ourorganisations expertise and willcontinue to do so.”
Claire Williams, Armed ServicesAdvice Project Coordinator, said: “TheVeterans Welfare Service and ArmedServices Advice Project both exist tosupport ex-Service personnel and theirdependants, with our clients at theheart of everything we do. Our jointevent was an excellent opportunity toshare expertise and ideas.”
Partnership working reaps benefitsSharing best practice to support veterans
0800 169 2277
The Armed Services Advice Project(ASAP) is run by Citizen AdviceScotland on behalf of a coalition offunded by seven charities includingPoppyscotland. They provide dedicatedinformation, advice and supportservices to members of the ArmedForces community in Scotland.
“. . . we’re alsoreaching moreclients by workingthis way.”
www.veterans-uk.info/welfaresupportcontact.htm
25
SPVA News
Issue 30 December 2013
The regular feature providing you with updatesfrom the Service Personnel and Veterans Agency
Merger news
In a move that will bring all militaryand civilian Defence Human Resourcesservices into one organisation, theService Personnel and VeteransAgency (SPVA) will become part of theMOD’s Defence Business Services(DBS) organisation from April 1 2014.
The current standard of supportprovided for both Serving personneland veterans will remain unchanged.However, veterans will start to see thenew MOD logo being used from Apriland the veterans support function ofDBS will be known as “Veterans UK”.Maintaining the current highstandards of customer service will beone of the new organisation’s toppriorities. More details will bereported in the next edition ofVeterans WORLD.
SPVA leaflet requests
Since the launchof the revised SPVA leaflets,requests have beenreceived from adiverse range ofcharities,organisations andgroups based acrossthe UK who provideservices to theveterans communityat large on a widerange of issues.
The SPVAcommunicationsteam havedistributed leafletsto The Royal BritishLegion, the ArmyWelfare Service,Lancashire NHSTrust, the HealthyMinds Team,Outreach Workersand the City ofLondon Police.
Karen Awere,SPVA Media andComms Team said:“We’re sending outleaflets to a largenumber of advisorsin such differentorganisations; fromin-Service welfareofficers to health
trusts. The leaflets are proving to be auseful resource for those supportingthe veterans community.
“If you need our leaflets for anevent or in connection with your workthen please drop us an email withyour request to [email protected].”
The Charity Hub
Have you checked out theVeterans UK Charity Hub lately?
The hub now houses over 70contacts detailing a full description ofservices provided, eligibility criteria,and full contact addresses for eachcharity listed.
If you wish to be added to thehub, then send expressions of interestto [email protected]
WWI Burials in 2013
As part of their responsibilities, theJoint Casualty and CompassionateCentre’s (JCCC) CommemorationsTeam coordinate MOD efforts toidentify and organise burials of theremains of Service personnelrecovered from First and SecondWorld War battlefields and aircraftcrash sites.
With the centenary of the start ofthe conflict approaching, emphasishas been on First World War casework.
In April this year, the bodies of Lt JohnHarold Pritchard and Pte ChristopherDouglas Elphick from the HonourableArtillery Company (HAC), along withtwo unidentified soldiers from theregiment, were laid to rest at Ecoust-St. Mein in a ceremonyorganised by the JCCC.
Burials of a further five soldierswere held in August, at variousCommonwealth War GravesCommission cemeteries in northernFrance, including an unnamed soldierof the Queen’s (Royal West Surrey)Regiment and a soldier of the Argylland Sutherland Highlanders. A serviceof rededication was also held, in thepresence of his descendants, to markan existing grave of a soldier of theHampshire Regiment, as that ofSerjeant Leonard Maidment.
SPVA help surprise a veteran
The hit ITVshow SurpriseSurprisecontactedSPVA’s MedalsOffice for theirhelp in sortingout areplacementmedal for oneof theirunsuspectingguests, whosemedals werestolen yearsearlier. Oncethey had thecrime referencenumber, whichis required, the team were only toohappy to help
During the Remembranceweekend show, Jacqui Collier, Officerin Charge of the Medal Office, herself aholder of the GSM 62 NI Medal,presented Mr Wright with hisreplacement GSM 62 NI.
Anybody who has had theirMedals stolen can apply to the MedalOffice to have their Medals replaced.They need to have the appropriatepaperwork, such as a crime referencenumber, to support a theft. Pleasenote, an admin charge will be applied.
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Scotland’s biggest veteran’s charityis calling on ex-Service people toshare their stories whether they leftMilitary service yesterday or 50years ago.
THE ROYAL BRITISH LEGIONSCOTLAND has launched the Voices ofVeterans campaign to helpcommemorate veterans who served inthe First World War in the countdownto the centenary in 2014. Thecampaign will also pay tribute tobrave veterans of all ages that haveserved in conflicts past and present.
The charity is also appealing toyounger veterans to share theirexperiences and help create a lastinglegacy for Scotland through thecampaign, which will see specialexhibitions take place around thecountry to showcase Voices of Veteransstories. The stories will also beshowcased on the charity’s website.
A veteran’s story
Ian Forsyth joined the Army in1942 as part of the 1st reconnaissance
Regiment at Lockerbie. The 89 yearold, from Hamilton, then moved to the15th - 19th Hussars Reconnaissance forthe 11th Armoured Division where inApril 1945 he was one of the first toarrive at the gates of the GermanBergen-Belsen concentration camp.
Ian, who was 21 at the time,remembers that it was a huge shockwhen they arrived at the camp gates.
He said: “This was not only a shockto the system, but a nightmare. It wastotally unexpected, for we had notbeen informed as to the location ofthe camp or what to expect. Untilthat moment we had been fighting tosurvive, now for the first time weunderstood just why we were there atall. I cannot fully describe it, but itcompletely changed my outlook onlife - Man’s inhumanity to man.”
They were told that they couldnot feed or free the prisoners. Iancontinued, “One of the soldiers withme threw some food to the prisonersand many were trampled in thestampede. The food we had couldhave killed them as it was so rich.When you are starving really fatty foodis toxic to your body.”
What Ian witnessed at the campwas life changing, he says “I was shotand injured. I said to myself, if I survive
I am going to spend the rest of my lifehelping others. Seeing theconcentration camp really changedmy life.”
And he did. After the war hisremaining years in the Army werespent in Palestine. When he eventuallyreturned home he trained as a teacherand taught in various schools inLanarkshire before an appointment toLarkhall Academy. He also dedicatedmuch of his time working with thePolish ex-Service community inGlasgow. His work there wasrecognised first by the award of theCavalier Cross and then theprestigious Officers Cross of Merit ofthe Republic of Poland.
Veterans urged to tell their story in new campaign to salute ex-Servicemen and women
The Voices of Veterans
0131 550 1562 / 0131 550 1583
http://rblscotland.com/
Web
Phone
www.facebook.com/royal.scotland
Ian Forsyth was one of the first to arriveat the gates of the Bergen-Belsen
concentration camp
As the centenary approaches andgrowing numbers are tracing theirfamily history the Legion hopesveterans and their families will takepart in the campaign to help preservestories passed down throughgenerations.
Ian Forsyth is still active in the Armed Forces Community
27Issue 29 September 2013
twitter.com/citb_uk
Web
Phonethe Central EmploymentTeam 0121 236 0058
www.cskills.orgwww.ctp.org.uk
Phoenix House, the newest Recovery Centre opened in Catterick, see page 6Phoenix House, the newest Recovery Centre opened in Catterick, see page 6
