Veterans World - Issue 21

Issue 21 September 2011

MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

Veterans helpchildren mapout a brighterfuture

Veterans helpchildren mapout a brighterfuture

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HELP AND SUPPORT FROM SERVICE PERSONNEL AND VETERANS AGENCY

Joint PersonnelAdministration Centre(JPAC)The first point of contact for servingpersonnel

Armed ForcesCompensation Scheme(AFCS)For injury, ill health and death linkedto Service on or after 6 April 05

War PensionsFor injury, ill health and death linkedto Service prior to 6 April 05

Joint Casualty andCompassionate Centre(JCCC)Providing casualty and compassionatereporting services - 24 hours a day

MedalsHave you claimed your medals? Call us today

Armed Forces PensionSchemesHave you claimed your pensionentitlement? (Service from 1975onwards)

Service Personnel & Veterans Agency

How to contact usService Personnel

JPAC opening hoursMonday – Friday 07.00 -19.00

JPAC Enquiry Centre0141 224 3600Mil 94560 3600

Write to usJPAC Enquiry Centre, Mail Point 403, Kentigern House65 Brown Street, Glasgow G2 8EX

Online accessibilityInternet: [email protected]: JPACEnquiryCentre

JCCCContact the JCCC 24 hours a day, seven days a week01452 519951

Ex-Service Personnel

Veterans UK Helpline0800 169 2277You may be offered a call back if lines are busy.Lines are open: Monday – Thursday 8.15 -17.15Friday :8.15 -16.30

Write to usVeterans Advice Team, Service Personnel and Veterans AgencyTomlinson House, Norcross FY5 3WPEmail: [email protected]: 01253 332014

Onlinewww.veterans-uk.info

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3Issue 21 September 2011

30 years onCommemorative year for Falklands Conflictbegins

The road to recoveryUpdate on the Personnel and Recovery Centres

Community SpiritFirst of the Community Covenants launched

Standing ‘Shoulder to Shoulder’Veterans mentoring project providesopportunities

Get ‘Smart’ to protect war memorialsNew campaign aims to combat theft, to protectand preserve memorials

RegularsNews in BriefSPVA NewsNoticeboard

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Veterans WORLD is distributed to those work in an advisory role.Managing Editor: Laurie MantonEditor: Clare EllisDeputy Editor: Chrissie ButterworthEmail: [email protected]

For distribution enquiriesEmail: [email protected] or call: 01253 330451

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

© Crown copyright 2011

For advertising opportunities please contact:[email protected]

Front cover: Military to mentors, page 14

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.

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Contents Issue 21September 2011

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News in brief

Charity Merger One of Britain’s oldest charities has merged with leading militarycharity SSAFA Forces Help.

The Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association (SSAFA)Forces Help has taken on the charitable objectives and assets ofThe Royal Patriotic Fund Corporation which has supportedBritain’s Forces and their families for 156 years.

The Royal Patriotic Fund Corporation was established by QueenVictoria in 1854 for the families of those killed in the Crimea War.The Fund raised money for the relief of widows and orphans ofsailors, soldiers and Marines who died on active service. Twoyears ago, a decision was made to close the Royal Patriotic Fund,with its remaining assets to be administered by SSAFA ForcesHelp in accordance with the Fund’s objectives.www.ssafa.org.uk

Joint UK and US Task Force An American and British Task Force on Service personnel andveterans issues which will share experience and best practice ina number of areas vital to improving the lives of Servicepersonnel, including those who are wounded, injured or sick,veterans and their families is being established following ameeting between US President Barack Obama and PrimeMinister David Cameron.

The Task Force will also share experiences on how best tosupport transition to civilian life for those leaving the Servicesand how to support Service personnel, veterans and theirfamilies, in particular linking them to local communities.

The two leaders announced that the US Under Secretary ofDefense for Personnel and Readiness, Dr Clifford Stanley, and theUK Minister for Defence Personnel, Welfare and Veterans,Andrew Robathan, will jointly lead the Task Force.

Picture: Crown Copyright/M

OD 2011]

New EmploymentModel As part of the recent Strategic Defence and SecurityReview (SDSR), the Government has committed todeveloping a New Employment Model (NEM) for Servicepersonnel.

The Ministry of Defence recognises and agrees that thecurrent employment model has changed little in the last40 years and requires improving to meet the needs of theArmed Forces of today and the future.

At the heart of the NEM is the desire to promote greaterstability in Service life at the same time as optimisingoperational capability. Where mobility is required forService reasons, it is recognised that the appropriatesupport and compensation must be available.

An extensive survey of factors including terms andconditions of service, training, education andaccommodation requirements has already commencedand the NEM team will report their findings before theDefence Board in the summer of 2012. It is expected thatimplementation will begin in 2014/15 with somemeasures taking up to ten years to complete in full.

Formed in 1921, The Royal British Legion is marking its90th anniversary year with an ambitious fundraisingtarget to raise £90 million.

A key part of the fundraising activities has been the GreatPoppy Party Weekend, held in June, where the Legionencouraged people to organise a party for their friends,family and community with the aim of raising £1 million.

Prime Minister David Cameron hosted a Poppy Party at 10Downing Street on 10 June for the Armed Forces tocelebrate the Legion’s Anniversary and in support of thecharity’s Battle Back Centre.

The Prime Ministerpaid tribute to thework of the Legion,commending thecharity for its role insupporting Servingand ex-Servicepersonnel, and theirfamilies, through ninedecades of charitablework. He said:

"This anniversary yearis a time for us toremember just howmuch The Royal BritishLegion do to care forour Armed Forces and

their families, from those who served in the two worldwars to those who are serving now in Afghanistan.

“While their needs have changed over that time, the needfor the British Legion has not – the care and support theyprovide is as vital now as it was in 1921 and I’m delightedto support their work.”

Each year the Legion helps with 160,000 cases assistingmembers of the Armed Forces Community. Its support isavailable to all those serving in the Armed Forces today, allwho have served in the past, and their dependents.www.britishlegion.org.uk/

Alabaré extendshelp for veteransAlabaré is looking to expand its work supporting ex-Service men and women by opening a new Home forVeterans in Gosport, near Portsmouth.

The homelessness charity, which already runs successfulHomes for Veterans in Plymouth, Bristol and Weymouth, isnow looking to expand further across the South in a bid tohelp those who are at risk of homelessness and arestruggling to cope since leaving the Armed Forces.

The proposed new supported housing project will providea safe and supportive environment for four ex-Service menor women, hopefully extending to seven or eight in thefuture. The house will enable them to make life changesand work towards living independently again and staff willoffer advice and guidance on employment, education andhousing matters and can provide life skills training whereneeded.

Alabaré is currently looking for volunteers to help supportits projects. If you would like to find out more pleasecontact Jo King on [email protected] or go towww.alabare.co.uk

Prime Minister David Cameron met Chelsea Pensioners atThe Royal British Legion's 90th Anniversary party.

Veterans’ organisationsmerge to create UK-wide poppy charity Scottish Armed Forces charity Poppyscotland and The RoyalBritish Legion (TRBL), which operates in England, Wales andNorthern Ireland, have merged to create the largest ArmedForces charity in the United Kingdom.

Under the terms of the merger substantial additional investmentwill be committed to Scotland to make significant improvementsto the support services for veterans and their families livingnorth of the border. Poppyscotland will continue to operate as adistinct, separate charity within the TRBL group of charities. ThePoppyscotland brand will not change and the Scottish poppy andScottish Poppy Appeal will remain in place, with funds raisedfrom the campaign being used exclusively to support the ArmedForces and veterans’ community in Scotland. The manufacture ofScottish poppies at Lady Haig’s Poppy Factory in Edinburgh willalso continue. www.poppyscotland.org.uk

The Legion in its 90th year


New Jubilee MedalMembers of the ArmedForces will be presentedwith a medal to mark HerMajesty The Queen'sDiamond Jubilee inFebruary 2012.The commemorative medaldesigned to mark the

Queen's 60 year reign on the throne will be awarded tomembers of the emergency services, Prison Service and thefollowing Armed Forces personnel:

• members of the Armed Forces (Regular and Reserves) who have completed five full calendar years of service on 6 February 2012

• living holders of the Victoria Cross and George Cross• members of the Royal Household.

The MOD will issue detailed qualifying criteria applying totheir personnel later this summer.

Designed by Timothy Noad, the Queen's Diamond JubileeMedal depicts a formal image of the Queen on one side,while the reverse shows a hexagon with a crown and royalcipher, inscribed '1952 to 2012', commemorating HerMajesty's reign, and finished off with a red ribbon andwhite/blue stripes.

Armed Forces DayOver 200 events were held in the UK to celebrate the thirdannual Armed Forces Day in June. An estimated 100,000people supported the national event in Edinburgh, whereactivities took place over the weekend. Celebrations tookplace up and down the country for Armed Forces Dayincluding Plymouth, Cardiff and Manchester. At Plymouth,Armed Forces Minister Nick Harvey announced thatPlymouth will host the fourth Armed Forces Day on 30 June2012. www.armedforcesday.org.uk

The Charities’ Charity Alexandra Rose has produced a newCollection Advice Booklet. As the first charity to carry outstreet collections, the new booklet draws from nearly 100years of experience.

After a charity has obtained a collecting permit or licence,the booklet can offer a step by step guide on the best way toorganise a collection - advising on street collections, localauthority badges, supermarket collections, stationcollections, London underground collections and house-to-house. It also suggests how to generate more donations,write a press release and many other aspects of successfulfundraising.

The new booklet is free and available from the charity,www.alexandrarosecharities.org.uk

From its smallbeginning of agathering of 14widows in 1971, in2011, its fortiethyear, the WarWidows’Association ofGreat Britain has amembership ofmore than 4,000.

The 2011 celebrations commenced with all membersreceiving a 40th Anniversary Commemorative bookletoutlining the Association’s history. Throughout the year,special lunches are being arranged by regional organisers,so the anniversary celebration can be enjoyed by as manymembers as possible.

In June, the Association’s Patron, The Prince of Walesjoined members for a Service of Commemoration at theGuard’s Chapel followed by a Reception at Central Hall,Westminster. The War Widows Annual Service held in Julyin the Anglican Cathedral Liverpool held specialsignificance for members celebrating the Association’s 40years of existence. Later in the month, members gatheredat the National Memorial Arboretum for the dedication ofa Memorial at the War Widows’Wood. The War Widows Association is a pressure group whichexists to improve the conditions of War Widows and theirdependants and to ensure War Widows are represented atRemembrance events. It works with all governmentdepartments and maintains close links with ex-Serviceorganisations and the Service widows' associations.Through their network of regional organisers, theAssociation is able to offer support and friendship to WarWidows of all ages. www.warwidows.org.uk

Published using funding from the Veterans ChallengeFund, a new information handbook of Serviceorganisations has become an essential guide for theArmed Forces Community.

The Confederation of Service Charities (COBSEO) launchedits 2011 handbook of Members. There are around 180member organisations ranging from the larger charities,The Royal British Legion, SSAFA FH, Seafarers UK,ABF-The Soldiers Charity and the RAF Benevolent Fund,through the medium sized charities including St Dunstan’s’, BLESMA, Combat Stress, Help for Heroes,Forces Pension Society, Officers’ Association, Royal Navyand Royal Marines Charity and Royal Air Force Associationto smaller charities and Regimental Associations.

The handbook is designed to be an easy and completereference identifying COBSEO’s member organisations,contact details and scope of operation. It providesinformation on what each member organisation does and

the specific needs they cater for, with a page devoted toeach organisation. More than 2,000 books have beenissued and the online version has received over 1,000visits a month.

The online version of the handbook can be found athttp://www.cobseo.org.uk/our-members/member-organisations/ and there is a web-based search enginewhich enables users to easily search and access thehandbook, using keywords or phrases. For example, if anindividual searches for help with housing, the searchengine will provide those member Service charities whichcould provide that specific help.

For further information, or to request a copy of thehandbook (£5 each to cover production costs, includingpostage and packaging) please contact Sophie Lucas on0845 504 6633 or email [email protected] or website www.cobseo.org.uk

Little book proves big success

War Widows’ Association celebrates 40thanniversary

Picture: Crown Copyright/M

OD 2011]

New Collection AdviceBooklet

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Throughout the centuries, Army familieshave accompanied British soldiers onactive service across the British Empire.When the child of a British soldier diedoverseas burial was usually in that countryand therefore the resting places ofnumerous Army children can be found insuch far-flung countries as Malta, HongKong and India, where they had often diedof indigenous diseases.

THE Army Children Archive is unique in itsfocus on the lives and times of British Armychildren from the seventeenth century todate, the Army Children Graves Register -www.archhistory.co.uk/taca/gravesregister -is the only record dedicated to tracking thegraves and memorials of the children ofBritish soldiers, wherever in the world theymay have died.

Set up in May this year, in response torequests for help from relatives searching for

Army children’s graves, and to aidresearchers, the aim of placing on record, thechildren commemorated on gravestones andmemorials (which are always at risk ofweathering and destruction) is to ensure thatthey will not vanish into obscurity.

Although the register already containshundreds of names from military cemeteriesat home and abroad, thousands more remainunlisted. TACA welcomes additions toinclude on the Register.

Making its debut alongside the ArmyChildren Graves Register is the ‘Armychildren’s graves’ webpage -www.archhistory.co.uk/taca/graves - whichincludes advice from the CommonwealthWar Graves Commission and Ministry ofDefence on how to locate an individual Armychild’s grave, along with images of Armychildren’s graves in the UK and abroad,personal stories, and some useful links.

A child’s part in military history

Veterans’ charity Erskine has recentlyopened new sensory gardens at itsdedicated dementia home, ErskinePark, in Bishopton with the aim ofoffering veterans with dementia anincreased quality of life.

DEMENTIA requires stimulation ofactivity which comes in many forms. Thephysical action of gardening is suitablefor many sufferers, while others like tojust sit and relax in the garden.

Designed to benefit veterans withdementia, the gardens have manyfeatures including key areas andmapping points that can be easilyremembered, such as seats, shadylocations and simple walkways.

The Dementia Services DevelopmentCentre at the University of Stirlingworked closely with Erskine to ensure adementia-friendly environment, whichcould be enjoyed and used all yearround by the ex-Service men andwomen of Erskine, was created.

The Army Children Graves Register launched

Chronicling British Armychildren’s history

The Army Children Archive(TACA) was established in2007 by writer Clare Gibsonto collect, record, preserveand share details of theunique aspects of growing upas the child of a soldierserving in the British Army,from the seventeenth centuryto present day. As well aschronicling British armychildren's history, TACA,which is a virtual resource,aims to support current Armychildren by spreadingawareness of the challengesthat the military lifestyleimposes on them.www.archhistory.co.uk

Erskine’s sensory garden Opens

ContactsFor further information about Erksinevisit www.erskine.org.uk/ Miss Moira Goudie, Chair of the Board of Trusteesof the Glenniffer Home Trust, who provided a

funding gratuity to develop the gardens


In June, Simon Weston OBE who wasbadly injured during the Argentinebombing of RFA Sir Galahad, togetherwith other South Atlantic MedalAssociation 1982 (SAMA 82), SAMAWales and Falklands VeteransFoundation members, all veterans ofthe 1982 Falklands Conflict, launchedthe 30th anniversary commemorativeyear of the conflict.

DURING 2011, SAMA 82, which supportveterans and their families will beorganising many fundraising events, themain fundraiser being a sponsored walkup Pen Y Fan, Brecon, held on Saturday 13August, 2011.

Fundraising and remembrance will markthe thirty years since the Conflict, as SimonWeston explained at the launch:

“During the 30th anniversary, we will notonly be remembering those who died inthe Falklands but also those who havedied since. Our new Memorial will providea peaceful place where remembrance canbe given to those we have lost.

From now until the anniversary in June2012, will be a busy year for the Falklandsveterans’ charities. Many events are beingarranged to raise money for the memorialand pilgrimages to the Falklands, with ourmain fundraising event being a sponsoredwalk up Pen Y Fan, Brecon in August.”

Return visits to the Falkland Islands arealso being organised for veterans,including a pilgrimage next year for up to50 veterans and family members of thosekilled in action during the conflict.

The charity has also commissioned theconstruction of a memorial at the NationalMemorial Arboretum in Staffordshire tohonour the South Atlantic Task Force and

remember those who gave their lives.The Falklands Memorial will be distinctive,with a curved wall of rugged stone facing arock from the Falklands and two benches,creating a restful space for contemplationby visitors. The memorial will bededicated on 20 May 2012 tocommemorate the 30th Anniversary of theTask Force landings at San Carlos.

SAMA 82 began its existence on April 2,1997; the fifteenth Anniversary of theuninvited arrival of Argentine forces in theFalkland Islands and became a charity inApril 2007. Its purpose, amongst otherthings, is to support holders of the SouthAtlantic Medal, their families and topromote awareness of the 1982 conflict.

Falklands veterans groups launchcommemorative year

From left to right - Steve Dawkins, Robert Nicholls (Chairman SAMA Wales) Simon Weston OBE,Steve Liversage BEM (Standard Bearer) Steve Hopkins & Mark Baker.

ContactsFor further information call 01495791592 visit www.sama82.org.uk/

On June 14 1982, a Task Force wasassembled in Great Britain anddispatched to the South Atlantic inorder to restore Her Majesty’sSovereignty. On June 14th 1982,Major General Jeremy Moore was ableto announce to the world that theFalkland Islanders were once againliving under the Government of theirchoice. Seventy-four days ofoccupancy had elapsed. Over 700British were wounded; three FalklandIslanders died in the fighting and 255members of the Task Force did notreturn home . . .

“Our newMemorial will

provide a peacefulplace where

remembrance canbe given to those

we have lost.”

2012 will mark the 30th anniversary ofthe Falklands conflict

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The first injured personnel have movedinto Tedworth House, the newest of theArmy’s Personnel Recovery andAssessment Centres. Key facilities suchas temporary residentialaccommodation, classrooms, cateringfacilities and a gymnasium were up andrunning, which will allow up to 26recovering Armed Forces personnel tomove in during July.

TEDWORTH HOUSE, set in the heart ofTidworth Garrison, Wiltshire, one of theArmy's largest Garrison towns, will providecomprehensive support to wounded,injured and sick personnel and theirfamilies; for life.

Help for Heroes have committed £32million to the renovation and running ofTedworth House, which will be one of fivePersonnel Recovery Centres (PRCs) acrossthe UK that make up the Army Recovery

Capability (ARC). These centres will, withina military environment, deliver co-ordinated support to recoveringpersonnel from across the Armed Forces.

The Ministry of Defence (MOD), as the leadfor recovery, has also committed £93million up to 2020 to provide support to allwounded, injured and sick personnel. Thisincludes the provision of military andcivilian personnel to co-ordinate, manageand deliver the Army Recovery Capability,plus staff for each of the PersonnelRecovery Centres.

Once renovation work at Tedworth Houseis completed in Spring next year and,when fully open, the centre will be able toprovide comprehensive support andresidential accommodation for up to 50wounded, injured and sick personnel fromall three Services in the south of England.

Private Josh Campbell, 21, from 23 PioneerRegiment Royal Logistic Corps, was injuredin Afghanistan when the vehicle he wastravelling in struck an ImprovisedExplosive Device (IED). He said:

“It’s been really tough since I was injuredin 2009 but the treatment I received atSelly Oak and Headley Court has beenbrilliant and the support I get from thePersonnel Recovery Unit has beenfantastic. I am also grateful for theassistance I’ve received from Help forHeroes and I’m really looking forward totaking advantage of all the great supportfacilities Tedworth House has to offer.”

Bryn Parry, CEO and Co-Founder of Helpfor Heroes, said:

”When I think back to October 2007 whenwe first started in the Tidworth Tin Hut, thething I always remember is driving pastTedworth House on the way to work andthinking, wouldn’t it be great if that couldbe a recovery centre for the guys and girls.It’s been an incredible effort on all frontsto get it ready in such a quick space oftime but to know that in a few days, thefirst residents will be in is fantastic. It’s atruly awesome moment for myself andEmma and everyone who has worked sohard to make this moment possible.”

Brigadier Mike Griffiths, Director PersonnelServices (Army), said:

"This is a great achievement in the deliveryof the Army Recovery Capability and onewhich pays tribute to the strongrelationships that have been forgedbetween the MOD, Help for Heroes andThe Royal British Legion. The ArmyRecovery Capability represents asignificant enhancement to the way wecare for our wounded, injured and sickpersonnel from across the Armed Forces -it ensures that our personnel have accessto the right care, support and resources atthe right time to enable them to eitherreturn to duty or transition to an

Tedworth house turns into a multi-million pound home for recovery

From left: Rifleman Linden Woodford, aged 21 from 3rd Battalion The Rifles, Major Peter Norton,and Private Josh Campbell, aged 21 from 23 Pioneer Regiment, outside Tedworth House

“I’m really looking forward totaking advantage of all thegreat support facilitiesTedworth House has to offer.”

The Ministry of Defence, Help for Heroes and other service charities working together to help Britain’s wounded, injured and sick Servicemen and women


appropriately skilled and supported civilianlife.

“Tedworth House, will be the first PersonnelRecovery and Assessment Centre to bedelivered and its facilities will provide thesupport that enables our personnel to focuson their recovery. It is ideally located as itallows our recovering personnel to takeadvantage of the full range of facilitiesalready available from within the Garrison,including welfare, medical, rehabilitationand education, which are vital in aiding therecovery process."

Help for Heroes also introducing apathfinder ‘Support Hub’ at the PersonnelRecovery and Assessment Centres, the firstin Tedworth House followed by one in theCatterick Centre. The Hubs will provide anongoing welfare and specialist supportcentre for wounded, injured or sick soldiersafter they transition to civilian life.

Tedworth House will be trialling thegroundbreaking concept of a ‘One StopWelfare Shop’. As well as the MOD, Armyand Help for Heroes offices, there will be alarge office where the specialist deliveryagencies, local social services and charitiescan provide a joint solution to theindividual’s needs; a so-called ‘Corridor ofthe Charities’, each contributing theirspecialist skills and services. This will meanthat the residents can receive everythingthey need in one place, whether advice onmarriage, financial issues, housing or helpwith prosthetics, it can all be obtained atTedworth House.

With this range of specialists all under oneroof, the intention is that an individualseeking help can just show up, or make onephone call, to get the specialist support he

or she needs -whatever the issue. Itis hoped that the‘Corridor of Charities’at Tedworth will meanthat whatever stagethey are at in theirrecovery, no one willslip through the net.

Tedworth House is justone centre in thenetwork of fivePersonnel RecoveryCentres that form part

of the Army Recovery Capability, a jointmulti-million pound venture between theMOD, Help for Heroes and The Royal BritishLegion. These centres will, within a militaryenvironment, deliver co-ordinated supportto recovering personnel from across theArmed Forces.

As well as Tedworth House, the Army’spathfinder centre opened in Edinburgh inAugust 09 and construction work hasstarted at the Centre based at Colchester.Centres will also be based in CatterickGarrison and Normandy Barracks inSennelager, Germany.

Chris Simpkins, Director General of TheRoyal British Legion, said:

"The Royal British Legion stands shoulder toshoulder with all who serve, so the Legion'ssupport for the Army Recovery Capability iscentral to our welfare strategy in this our90th year, and well beyond.

"We are delighted that we will becontributing to the operating costs of PRC

Tidworth, and providing welfare supportand advice to residents. We support themen and women who have given so muchfor our country – whether they return toduty or move into civilian life. That is whatthe Legion has been doing for 90 years.

"The wounded, injured and sick deservenothing less. The Royal British Legion willcontinue to support them, and theirfamilies, for the rest of their lives.”

Each of the centres will be created inpartnership with Help for Heroes and TheRoyal British Legion, with both charitiesproviding funding for different elements ofthe centres.

ti-million pound home for recovery

Help for Heroes has committed a total of£70 million directly in support of the ArmyRecovery Capability. This will fund buildingor refurbishment works to create centres inColchester, Catterick and Tidworth Garrison.The money will also fund Individual RecoveryPlans and a Quick Reaction Fund to provideindividual donations for personnel injured intraining or wounded in action since 9/11.

The Royal British Legion has committed £50million over ten years to the Army RecoveryCapability. This is the largest single donationin the 90-year history of The Royal BritishLegion. The money will be used to establishand run the Defence Adaptive Sport andAdventurous Training Centre in theMidlands.

The remainder will fund the running costs ofthe Personnel Recovery Centres inEdinburgh and Colchester and the PersonnelRecovery and Assessment Centre inCatterick. The Royal British Legion will fundthe Personnel Recovery Facility in Germanyin its totality at an additional cost of£500,000.

Other charities, such as ABF: The Soldier’sCharity, will provide £3 million funding insupport of the Individual Recovery Plans thatwill be utilised by the serving personnelduring their recovery. The charity alsoadministers the Quick Reaction Fund set upby Help for Heroes.

The information technology and computer facilities at TedworthHouse Personnel Recovery and assessment Centre

Rifleman Linden Woodford, is one of theinjured Service personnel who will make use of

the facilities at Tedworth House

Army Personnel Recovery Centres (PRCs) willbe created across the country and in Germany.They can be used by wounded, injured andsick personnel from all three Services.

help Britain’s wounded, injured and sick Servicemen and women

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Jock Hutchinson (front) and RM Jay Hare out on the trail

The first Community Covenants, avoluntary statement of mutual supportbetween a civilian community and itslocal Armed Forces Community, havebeen launched in Oxfordshire,Hampshire, Vale of Glamorgan andNorth Yorkshire.

IN May this year, the Defence Secretary, DrLiam Fox, published the Armed ForcesCovenant which expresses the moralobligation owed by the Nation and theGovernment to the Armed Forces, veteransand their families. The Armed ForcesCovenant defines the principles ofremoving disadvantage and allowingspecial provision in some circumstances inthe access to public and commercialservices. This has set a framework forpolicy making and delivery acrossGovernment and will improve the supportavailable for the Armed ForcesCommunity.

One of the key measures within the ArmedForces Covenant package announced inMay was the launch of an Armed ForcesCommunity Covenant scheme. The aim ofthe Community Covenant is to encouragelocal communities to support the Servicecommunity in their area and promoteunderstanding and awareness amongstthe public of issues affecting the ArmedForces Community. In addition the

government has allocated £30 million overthe next four years to support the scheme.

The launch of the first community schemein Oxfordshire was followed by launches inthe Vale of Glamorgan, Hampshire andNorth Yorkshire and is due in Portsmouthin the near future. Leaders of Councils inEngland have been encouraged to adoptthe Community Covenant scheme in aletter sent jointly by Andrew Robathan,Minister for Defence Personnel, Welfareand Veterans and Grant Shapps, Ministerfor Housing and Local Government. Theintention is that as many areas as possibleshould adopt Community Covenants.

The aims of the Community Covenantinclude:

• to encourage local communities to support the Armed Forces Communityin their areas, and vice versa;

• to promote understanding and awareness amongst the public of issues affecting the Armed Forces Community;

• to recognise and remember the sacrifices made by the Armed Forces Community; and

• to encourage activities which help to integrate the Armed Forces Community into local life.

Andrew Robathan, Minister for DefencePersonnel, Welfare and Veterans, said:

“The launch of the Armed ForcesCommunity Covenant is a significant stepforward in encouraging the whole countryto show that they back their Armed Forces.What is most important is that this is thelocal community supporting their localpersonnel, both past and present, andtheir families.

"This is about making Service life a centralpart of life in the community andimproving the bond between the ArmedForces and the people they serve."

Armed Forces Community CovenantScheme launched£30 million of government fund allocated to support new scheme

Representatives for each service and Local Council members at the Catterick Garrison Leisure Centre to sign the Armed Forces Community Covenant

“This is aboutmaking Service lifea central part oflife in thecommunity . . .”

ContactsFor further information visit

www.mod.uk/covenant or [email protected]

P icture: CPL Gary Kendall UK MOD Crow

n Copyright

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In June, The Poppy Factory announcedplans to help 500 wounded, sick andinjured ex-Servicemen and women fromthe UK Armed Forces into mainstreamemployment, over the next five years.

FOR the past few years, The Poppy Factoryhas been piloting a SupportedEmployment Scheme and has successfullymanaged to place more than 60 disabledex-Service personnel of all ages in jobsaround the UK. Focusing on boostingemployment prospects, The Poppy Factoryhas found and matched employers withclients and part-funded their clients’ firstyear’s salary in a number of cases, to allowfor a period of flexibility, enhancingtraining and development into their newrole. Continued guidance is given to boththe employer and employee to ensure theveteran’s smooth transition.

“Ex-Service men and women have afantastic work ethic, are disciplined,trustworthy and used to performing withina team,” explained Melanie Waters, ChiefExecutive of The Poppy Factory.

“Many have qualifications that areinvaluable for companies today. However,

an injury or delayed illness can shattertheir lives. We want to help them regaintheir self-respect and confidence in orderto earn a living, so that they can feel avaluable member of society again. Thisenables them to support themselves andtheir families and enjoy the next phase oftheir lives. Having valiantly served theircountry, we think they deserve it.”

“There are a number of employers all overBritain, who could offer these men andwomen a life-changing job.” Melaniecontinued.

“We have spent the last four years learningabout individual issues, differingconditions, range of skills andexpectations. We have developedrelationships with companies and like-minded charities, but there is so muchmore scope for other businesses to opentheir doors to a new employee, who mayrequire a little more consideration in thebeginning, but will reward that supportwith long term commitment. So far, wehave used our own funds and will continue

to do so. However, for this new five-yearplan to help 500 more ex-Service men andwomen back to work, we need to raise £4million.”

Helping veterans help themselvesA supported employment scheme aims to match disabled veterans with future employers

Since 1922, The Poppy Factory hasbeen employing wounded, sick andinjured ex-Service personnel in itsfactory. It was founded by MajorGeorge Howson MC as ‘The DisabledSociety’ in 1922 in the Old Kent Road,London with the sole purpose ofproviding work for severely woundedveterans from the First World War. In1925, The Poppy Factory moved toRichmond, Surrey and continues tomake Remembrance poppies,Remembrance Crosses, sprays andwreaths for The Royal British Legion’sannual Poppy Appeal, RemembranceSunday and Armistice Day (includingwreaths for The Queen and othermembers of the Royal family). It is alsoresponsible for organising and hostingthe annual Field of Remembrance atWestminster Abbey.

“There are a numberof employers all overBritain, who couldoffer these men andwomen a life-changing job.”

Left to right: Melanie Waters, Chief Executive of The Poppy Factory; Ewan Stewart, supported byThe Poppy Factory and now working for Challenge4Change in Manchester; David Djordjevic, Chief

Executive of Challenge4Change and Chris Whiteley, Project Coordinator at Challenge4Change.


Ewan Stewart served with the RoyalSignals for nine years. He was wounded inService, which resulted in the loss of hisleg. After leaving the Services, Ewanstarted his own business and then studiedlaw at Manchester MetropolitanUniversity.

Following the loss of his leg, he was intouch with BLESMA. Through the charity,he was introduced to the Challenge 4Change Charity.

The Challenge 4 Change (C4C) Centre isthe only indoor training centre of its kindin the North of England. Based in TraffordPark, the Centre combines training andconference facilities with a 13 station

aerial runway over 35 feet off the ground,a high ropes training course and a lowlevel obstacle course.

The charity provides learning through funand makes a real difference. It teacheseffective communication skills, team skills,inspires confidence and motivation andenables people to overcome theirperceived barriers in order to progress.C4C raises their aspirations and workswith those members of society who are inmost need.

Chris Whiteley, Project Director atChallenge 4 Change, said:

"We wanted to research how we wouldbe compliant for disabled people, soapproached the Armed Forces and invitedBLESMA to look at our venue for the day.Ewan was one of the people who did theassault course twice as quickly most.

"Ewan has added a different dimensionand quality to the powerful programmeswe already deliver. The Poppy Factoryinitially funded Ewan's part-time position,but it has been so successful that he nowworks for us full-time."

It’s made a difference to Ewan’s life too,he said:

"I have finally found something I think Ican progress for the rest of my life."

Ewan’s story

ContactsFor further information call 0208 940 3305or visit www.poppyfactory.org

“The PoppyFactory initiallyfunded Ewan'spart-timeposition, but ithas been sosuccessful thathe now worksfor us full-time."

“The PoppyFactory initiallyfunded Ewan'spart-timeposition, but ithas been sosuccessful thathe now worksfor us full-time."

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The crew enjoyed the vagaries of the Cornish weather

Using a £1.5 million government grant,Education charity SkillForce aredeveloping programmes that will fast-track ex-Service personnel into schoolsusing the skills and experience gainedon the frontline to help young peopleachieve.

SKILLFORCE is an educational charityworking with young people in schools. Its front line workforce predominatelycomprises former Service Personnel. Formany this may be their first job outside themilitary.

It has two training and employmentopportunities. As it expands itsoperations, there is a constant

requirement to find qualified andexperienced instructors, especially thosewith the Defence 'Train the Trainer'qualification for the Main Stream Instructorprogramme which is a full-time salariedpost.

The new programme - 'Military to Mentors'- has been created following funding fromMichael Gove, the Education Secretary, aspart of his Troops to Teachers programme.The instructional requirements for this arelower but require an individual withempathy and high levels of emotionalintelligence who can work with youngpeople on a one-to-one basis. At themoment this is a training opportunity butthe charity is seeking funding

opportunitiesto turn this intoa paid role.

For bothopportunities,SkillForce isseeking toemploy moreex-Servicepersonnel asPeter Cross,Chief Executiveexplained:“We’redelighted to beable to expand

our work with disadvantaged youngpeople and our programmes effectpositive and permanent change in theirlives. The funding will help expand ourprogramme, providing more employmentopportunities for ex-Service personnel. Weare seeking to employ more of thewounded, injured and sick as well as thosewho are able bodied. I would encouragethose seeking a career in education toconsider contacting us.”

SkillForce works primarily withdisadvantaged young people aged 14-16.Since the charity began ten years ago, over40,000 young people have completed aSkillForce programme. It is currentlyworking with over 8,000 young people in150 schools in England and Scotland.

What Skillforce has to offer

SkillForce offers a unique opportunity forthose resettling from the Services to workin a small team environment to make themost of many of the skills learned duringtheir service. It provides employmentopportunities for those who wish to workwith young people as a second career,perhaps as a stepping stone beforebecoming a qualified teacher. It also has aproven track record of helping andemploying those that have beenwounded, injured or sick and have left theServices early.

Military to MentorsEducation charity expands training and employment opportunities

“The funding will help expandour programme, providing moreemployment opportunities forex-Service personnel.”

ContactsSkillForce is looking to expand over thecoming years and offers an outstandingstepping stone into civilian life for thoseinterested in teaching and learning.Vacancies are advertised on the websiteat www.skillforce.org as well as throughthe Career Transition Partnershipwebsite. Anyone interested in joiningSkillForce is recommended to arrange avisit to one of the teams and call 01623 827626 to get contact details.

More than 40,000 young people have completed a Skill Force programme.

‘Military to Mentors’: ex-Service personnel will be trained to work asmentors for young people in and out of schools across England.


For some ex-Service men and women,mental health problems can be a veryreal issue. Getting clinical treatment isthe first step to recovery and helps theirtransition back to civilian life.

TO support the transition, Nationalvolunteering charity TimeBank, is runningthe London-based mentoring project,Shoulder to Shoulder.

What’s it about?

TimeBank match volunteer mentors whoare either ex-Service men or women whohave made a successful transition tocivilian life (or someone who has anunderstanding of the issues through familyconnections) with an ex-Service man orwoman recovering from mental healthproblems. Mentors support their mentees,helping them to adjust to life after clinicaltreatment.

Andy Elliott, Shoulder to Shoulder ProjectCoordinator explained:

“The project gives the kind of supportsomeone recovering from mental healthproblems may not find elsewhere. It’s thechance to spend time with someone who’snot involved with their care or knows theirentire life story, and most importantly,someone who will listen to what they haveto say without judging them – offeringpractical support and friendship.”

How does it work?

Mentors and mentees meet one-to-one, forfive hours a month for around six monthsto a year. This is how long TimeBank has

learnt it takes to see the benefits fromother mentoring schemes. Mentees get aninduction and mentors get trained. It’sflexible too, once they’re matched; theycan meet when it suits them.

Charlie, a mentor on the project, explainedwhy he got involved:

“I think about things that happened to mewhile I was in Iraq almost every day. Youlearn to live with it but I understand thatwithout good support networks it can beextremely difficult for some people to dealwith after leaving the Services – that’s whyI wanted to be a mentor on this project.”

Veterans take ‘time’ to help othersNew mentoring project provides opportunities for veterans to ‘give back’ to the ArmedForces Community

“It’s the chance to spend timewith someone who’s notinvolved with their care orknows their entire life story . . .”

“. . . but I understand thatwithout good supportnetworks it can beextremely difficult for somepeople to deal with afterleaving the Services – that’swhy I wanted to be amentor on this project.”

Editor’s Note: A Shoulder to Shoulderproject is now being developed for theBirmingham area and is due to openthis Autumn. Veterans WORLD willupdate you on progress in a later issue.

Shoulder to Shoulder is the first knownpeer mentoring project which supportsex-Service men and women recoveringfrom mental health problems.

ContactsWant to get involved?If you live in London and want tobecome a mentor or simply want tofind out more go towww.timebank.org.uk/shoulder-to-shoulder or ring Andy Elliott on 020 3111 0735 or [email protected]

Mentors support their mentees, helping them to adjust to life after clinical treatment.

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ace so it looks good on the page

User-led mental health charity, SelfHelp Services launched a new coursehelping Veterans cope with variousmental-health struggles triggered bytraumatic and stressful experiences.The Veterans Stress AwarenessCourse is the outcome of apartnership between Military MentalHealth CIC and Self Help Services.

THE free six-week course is funded bythe Increasing Access to PsychologicalTherapies (IAPT) initiative through theNHS. Courses will be held every threemonths have been held in Manchesterand is due to start in St Helens thisautumn.

Richard Williams, registered MentalHealth Nurse and Armed Forcesveteran from Military Mental Healthsaid:

“The Veterans Stress Awareness Courseis a unique six week intervention aimedspecifically at Armed Forces Veteranswho want help on coping with a rangeof challenges including Post TraumaticStress Disorder, Anger, Low Mood,Adjustment problems and AlcoholAwareness. It is facilitated byprofessionally qualified and registeredveterans who have experienced thesechallenges.”

Charlotte Cooke, Community ServicesManager at Self Help Services said:

“The IAPT scheme in the North Westhas made the delivery of veterans’services a priority and this is beingaddressed through the provision ofservices such as The Veterans StressAwareness Course. We’re pleased thatSelf Help Services is helping to makeservices to veterans more accessible. “

"I have gained a great deal from thiscourse and now have a greaterunderstanding of the problems Ihave. Pity it’s taken over 40 years toget this far. I am confident thiscourse will set the criteria for othersin the same boat as myself and youare in effect making history initiatingit within your organisation, preparefor the flood gates to open, andpraise will not be enough." A veteran who has recently finishedthe course in Manchester.

ContactsFor more information on the course or toreceive a referral form please call0161 226 3871 or [email protected].

People can self-refer or be referred bytheir GP or other agencies.

“The IAPT schemein the North Westhas made thedelivery ofveterans’ servicesa priority . . .”

The Improving Access to PsychologicalTherapies (IAPT) programme is basedupon the commitments the previousGovernment made in their GeneralElection manifesto 2005 and was launchedin 2007. It aims to investigate ways toimprove the availability of psychologicaltherapies, especially relating to peoplewith depression or anxiety disorders. Italso aims to promote a more person-centred approach to therapy.

Self Help Services is a user-led mentalhealth Charity that deliverspsychological and self help servicesacross the North West. The charity ispart of The Big Life group of socialbusinesses and charities. Self HelpServices believes in having a choice inmental health care. The servicesprovided include one-to-one therapy,computerised cognitive behaviouraltherapy, self help groups and courses,and complementary therapies topeople suffering from mental ill healthand social exclusion.

Military Mental Health CIC is anorganisation founded by veterans, runby veterans to benefit veterans. It aimsto support veterans who experiencepsychological and social challenges andraise awareness of those challenges.

Manchester charity provides new mental health service for veterans

New Awareness course helps veterans

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It can seem as if independent reviewsinto aspects of healthcare are much-trumpeted by the media, only then todisappear off the radar. So It’s great forVeterans WORLD to report on healthinitiatives the Government are takingforward for the veterans community,following the recommendations in Dr Andrew Murrison’s review - ‘FightingFit’.

LAST October ‘Fighting Fit’, anindependent review into mental healthprovision for Serving personnel, andveterans, was published. Focusing onwhat could be done to improve existingprovision across Britain, as well as therecommendation of dynamic newinitiatives designed to make a realdifference.

The really good news is that Governmentnot only accepted all of therecommendations but also pledged £7.8 million per year, in England, over thenext four years, to make things happen.

Extra community mental healthprofessionals

Dr. Murrison recommended that 30community mental health professionals

should be dedicated to helping veteranswith mental health problems, in eachLocal Authority area. This promises to be amajor step forward in providing support.They will work alongside staff fromCombat Stress, and other charities, toensure that every area has services gearedto local veterans’ needs. This will ensurethat mental health professionals will helpveterans feel more confident in accessingmental health services, and to overcomestigma on these issues. Work is underwaywith the Armed Forces Networks inEngland, to deliver this capability.

The Big White Wall

One of the specific recommendationscoming out of the Murrison report was forthe pilot of an online counselling service.The Big White Wall is a secure, onlinespace where individuals can post thoughtsand feelings, receive peer support andaccess online self-help. All content ismonitored by trained counsellors and, forthe Forces-specific pilot, by professionals

with specialist Service knowledge. Thisunique service is being developed for useby veterans, service personnel, and theirfamilies. www.bigwhitewall.com

A first point of contact

There have also been related projects,running alongside Dr Murrison’s specificrecommendations. The Department ofHealth contracted veterans’ mental healthcharity Combat Stress to work withRethink, the national mental healthmembership charity, to deliver a 24-hourhelpline – 0800 138 1619. It’s designed asa first point of contact for veterans andtheir families for any queries/ concernsthey may have in relation to their health,both physical and mental.

Initial figures are a success; since its launchin March, the helpline has received over3,000 calls from around the UK.

Improving education

Another key priority for the Department ofHealth is education. The Department hasworked closely with the Royal College ofGPs to develop a training programme,whose aim is to educate GPs as to thespecific issues they may face whentreating veterans. The programme willform part of the College’s core onlinetraining modules, and will sit on theirwebsite, accessible to GPs at all times. The programme’s official launch date islikely to be in Autumn this year.

‘Fighting Fit’How the Government is investing in veterans futures

. . . mental healthprofessionals will helpveterans feel moreconfident in accessingmental healthservices, and toovercome stigma onthese issues.

The Big White Wall is a secure, onlinespace where individuals can postthoughts and feelings, receive peersupport and access online self-help.

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The Big White Wall is being launched early autumn

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Visitors to The Beacon, agroundbreaking new national housingand training centre for Veterans comingonline this autumn, will notice someunexpected but enticing smells whenthey arrive.

BASED in Catterick and run by housingassociation, Riverside-ECHG, The Beacon ispioneering the development of socialenterprises – such as bakery andlandscaping – in order to provide trainingand future employment opportunities forex-Servicemen and women who have facedhomelessness.

Riverside’s Area Manager, Trevor Morris,said:

“One of the main features of The Beaconwill be the range of social enterprisepartnerships we are establishing with localand national businesses.

“Social enterprises are businesses whichare driven at their heart by social purposeand their profits are reinvested back intoachieving that purpose. At the Beaconwhat this means is that we will be able tooffer our ex-Servicemen and womenvaluable training in trades where they cangain skills and accreditation and where

there are future employment opportunities.

“We are delighted to have already securedpartnerships to run a training bakery withthe Clervaux Trust Artisan Bakers, as well asa landscaping business in partnership withGroundwork, a national training andemployment agency.”

The Beacon will offer temporary housing,training and employment opportunities tothirty-one single ex-Servicemen andwomen who have been assessed as beingat risk of becoming homeless.

Its development is the result of a uniquepartnership between a range of ArmedForces and civilian organisations includingthe Ministry of Defence, who gifted the landon which the scheme is being developedand provided funding from the VeteransChallenge Fund, as well as the Homes &Communities Agency, Communities andLocal Government, Royal British Legion,Church Housing Trust, RichmondshireDistrict Council and North Yorkshire CountyCouncil.

Now that The Beacon is reaching the finalstages of its development, the Riverside-ECHG team who run the national SPACEShousing advice service will be starting toassess applications for the first residents tomove into The Beacon. For moreinformation call the SPACES Advice Line.

In the meantime, plans are afoot to developand market a range of ‘Veterans Cookies‘from The Beacon once the facility and itsbakery are fully up and running in the

autumn. From initial consultations with thepublic and ex-Services residents at otherRiverside centres, Trevor Morris isenthusiastic about the future possibilities:

“Our veterans are already really behind uson this. And we strongly believe that thepublic will support the idea of our Veteransusing their own hard work and skills toproduce something that not only opens upfuture job opportunities for them, but thatalso raises money to help others in thefuture.”

Baking bread and cut grass The sweet smell of success for homeless veterans

“. . . we will be able to offerour ex-Servicemen and

women valuable training intrades where they can gainskills and accreditation and

where there are futureemployment opportunities.”

ContactsFor further information; contactRiverside-ECHG SPACES advice line(Single Persons Accommodation Centrefor the Ex-Services) on 01748 833797 /872940 / 830191 or visit www.spaces.org.uk

The new housing and training centre ispioneering the development of social

enterprise.

A standard training kitchen at “The Beacon”


The Royal Caledonian Schools Trust hasserved the educational needs of thechildren of current and former ScottishService personnel since 1815. It is veryproud that the Queen is Patron of theTrust.

HERE are two ways in which the Trustprovides support for Scottish Servicechildren.

Grants for individuals

The Trust makes over 300 grants a year tochildren of current and former ScottishService personnel. The grants help supportaccess to education especially where thefamilies are facing severe challenges, whichmay not become apparent until afterparents have left the Armed Forces. Grantshave funded the purchase of schoolclothing, after school clubs and training,books and equipment, as well as livingexpenses for those who have enteredfurther and higher education.

For one family the Trust were able toprovide grants for clothing (school

uniform) and after school activities for thetwo young children of a Scottish veteranwho had been significantly disabled duringhis deployment.

For the family of another Scottish veteranwho has suffered long term injury ondeployment, the Trust has been able toprovide ongoing help with a grant for afterschool activities for his two children as wellas school clothing and school trips.

Working with Scottish schools

The Trust also helps in other ways. It hasdeveloped an Education Programme inScotland. The Education Programmesupports a number of the children ofScottish Service personnel while they are atschool in Scotland. This is done by workingwith schools, teachers, the military, theScottish Government, Local Authorities andother charities in focusing attention on theneeds of these Service children especiallyconcerning Service mobility anddeployment. The Trust, through theEducation Programme, has also helped

with the funding of part-time teachers orplay therapists who can support Servicechildren in school especially in relation todeployment. In certain circumstances, ithas been possible to make grants towardscreating a dedicated space within a schoolwhere children, parents and teachers canmeet to share ideas and ways in which tocope in difficult circumstances such asbefore, during and after deployment.

The Trust’s Education Programme is nowwell established in Scotland, supportingand answering the needs of ScottishService children.

The Royal Caledonian Schools Trust

"I have been funded formy next academic yearby the Trust. I amexceptionally gratefuland it will help me paymy living costs in avery busy year where Ishall be unable to workto earn any extramoney.” Studentsupported by the Trust.

ContactsFor more information on The RoyalCaledonian Schools Trust: call 01923 215350, email: [email protected] visit www.rcst.org.uk

Admiring a new room, which the Trust has provided as a dedicated space for Service families.

The Trust makes over300 grants a year tochildren of currentand former ScottishService personnel.

The Trust makes over300 grants a year tochildren of currentand former ScottishService personnel.

Supporting Scottish Service children in education

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Chelsea and England Captain, John Terry,heralded it as, “Football’s way of helpingServicemen and women return to civilianlife.” Former England Manager, GrahamTaylor, praised the initiative as, “Helpingto recognise the sacrifices our militarypersonnel make on our behalf.”

INSIDE RIGHT is a mental health andwellbeing programme part-funded by theFootball Foundation. Using the hook offootball and the appeal of professionalfootball clubs, Inside Right offers regularfootball and social interaction to improvehealth and well-being through access to on-going support and services.

It is aimed at ex-Service men and womenwho are vulnerable, isolated, on low income

or unemployed. In particular, the project isaimed at younger ex-Servicemen andwomen, aged between 20 and 50.

The programme has also received fundingfrom the MOD’s Veterans Challenge Fundwhich decided to support the Inside RightProject because the Programme met one ofthe Fund’s aims; to support the successfultransition from Service to civilian life ofService personnel. It was felt that thescheme offers an interesting combination ofsupport through playing football andoffering advice and signposting service.

Initially a three-year pilot, the programmewill be delivered by five clubs: Chelsea,Colchester United, Everton, Lincoln City andPortsmouth.

The scheme provides a regular time eachweek to play sport and socialise with a peergroup who understands the experiencesthat young veterans will have had. Theprogramme offers a range of otheropportunities including:

• Access to coaching qualifications• Match day opportunities• Help develop ex-Servicemen and

women’s Veterans’ Leagues

Each club has a local steering group whowill provide a local infrastructure to referpeople into the programme, and provideinformation and access to further services.Every club has access to specialistknowledge via the Service Personnel andVeterans Agency Welfare Team, CombatStress and local community Mental HealthServices and The British Legion.

Lucy Mann, Inside Right ProgrammeManager, said:

“We hope that individuals involved withInside Right will also shape the programmein each area, becoming more involved inengaging people. Football clubs do muchmore than play football and we hope thatex-Servicemen and women will tell us whatthey want.”

Inside RightRegular football, specialist knowledge and shared experiences used together to provide social opportunities

Contacts

Health Professional and welfare officersare able to refer people to the footballclubs, using a referral from which can befound here: http:/bit.ly/Inside_Right

For further information please contact:[email protected]

Inside Right is a unique partnership. Thefunders are The Football Foundation, TheRoyal British Legion, Comic Relief, TheMOD (Veterans Challenge Fund), ABF TheSoldier’s Charity and the RAF BenevolentFund.

The Mental Health Foundation, The RoyalBritish Legion, The Everton Foundation,the MOD and Combat Stress form theCentral Steering Group.

Graham Taylor launches Inside Right at Lincoln City

Inside Right aims to use the hook of football to provide a regular healthy environment and timespent with peers in a positive team environment


Founded in 1969, Riding for theDisabled Association (RDA) offersopportunities to horse ride andcarriage drive to over 28,000 people at500 groups across the UK and Ireland.

FROM its humble beginnings, when ahandful of pioneers started to realise thetherapeutic benefits of riding for peoplewith disabilities, the Association hasdeveloped into a nationwide institution(with affiliated groups across the globe).RDA delivers outstanding levels ofinstruction and physiotherapy, not tomention fun - and is run almost entirelyby its army of 18,000 volunteers.

RDA activities are available to people ofall ages with a range of disabilities,offering benefits to those with immediatephysiotherapy needs, or to those withlong-term difficulties. Crucially fordisabled Service personnel and veteranswho like a challenge, riding offers anelement of risk - often denied to peoplewho have been affected by an accident orserious illness. Contact with horses offersthe chance to regain mobility and a senseof achievement, not to mention theopportunity to regain freedom ofmovement.

Whether riding, carriage driving or evenvaulting, RDA’s activities are designed tobe therapeutic, with special benefits tothose requiring physiotherapy for aninjury or disability. It has a network ofspecialist Physiotherapists who ensurethat rides are tailored to suit the needs ofeach participant. The charity works closelywith ACPTR (The Association of CharteredPhysiotherapists in Therapeutic Riding),keeping up to date with the latesttechniques to help riders achieve theirgoals.

Major Phil Packer lost the use of his legsduring an attack in Basra in February 2008and is learning to carriage drive with RDA.He said:

“RDA has made a significant impact onmy rehabilitation and self-confidence thatwere severely dented post-injury. I cannot praise the Association enoughfor its tremendous work with the disabledcommunity.”

Riding highThe benefits of horses for people with disabilities

“RDA has made a significant impact on myrehabilitation and self-confidence thatwere severely dented post-injury.”

ContactsRDA has 500 centres across the UK(including two very close to HeadleyCourt) providing both riding andcarriage driving. To find your nearestcentre call 0845 658 1082 or visitwww.rda.org.uk

RDA activitities are available to people of all ages with a range of disabilities

Major Phil Packer is learning CarriageDriving with RDA

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National Campaign to Reduce War Memorial TheftCampaign to locate, log and protect thousands of war memorials across the UK, using cuttingedge forensic technology has been launched

Many of the nation’s estimated 100,000war memorials are under threat fromthieves and vandals attempting to stealmetal from monuments. It is estimatedthat on average one war memorial aweek is being targeted by thieveslooking to illegally remove bronze,copper or other metals to sell on forscrap.

‘In Memoriam 2014’ is a partnershipbetween War Memorials Trust and theSmartWater Foundation. The partnership,which is working towards marking the100th anniversary of the start of the FirstWorld War in 2014, seeks to offer greaterprotection to war memorials across theUK. It aims to prevent any more

communities witnessing the desecrationof their memorials.

To combat the threat of theft, as many “atrisk” memorials as possible will, with theirowner’s agreement, be forensicallymarked with SmartWater, assigning themwith a state-of-the-art forensic signaturethat can only be seen under UV light.Once applied SmartWater is virtuallyimpossible to remove and can withstandburning, sand blasting and long termexposure to UV. Furthermore if a thiefattempts to remove SmartWater they riskinadvertently spreading forensic evidenceonto their clothes and any tools they areusing. This can be used by Police to linkthem directly to the crime scene.

The Shrewsbury Railway Station War Memorial was the first to be marked for the ‘In Memoriam 2014’ project.

The War Memorials Trust worksfor the protection andconservation of war memorialsin the UK. They provide adviceand information to anyone witha war memorial enquiry as wellas running grant schemes forthe repair and conservation ofwar memorials. It is a registeredcharity which relies entirely onvoluntary contributions toundertake its work. For furtherinformation visitwww.warmemorials.org ortelephone 0300 123 0764.


“I hope that the community will embrace it bytaking an interest in locating and preserving thesesymbols of our commemoration.”

e War Memorial Theft

The SmartWater Foundation Ltd is anot for profit company established andfunded solely by SmartWaterTechnology Ltd. The Foundationprovides charitable donations ofequipment and services to the UK lawenforcement agencies in support oflocal crime reduction initiatives withinhard-pressed communities.

The SmartWater Foundation isdonating a unique SmartWaterforensic solution for the exclusive useof the ‘In Memoriam 2014’ project atno cost and is also funding the cost ofcreating the national database.

‘In Memoriam 2014’ have been workingclosely with the Royal British Legionand the War Memorial Officers at localcouncils to ensure that they are awareof the project and making SmartWateravailable to those memorials whichmay need it. As part of the ‘InMemoriam 2014’ project, WarMemorials Trust are hoping to identifythe custodians of war memorials acrossthe UK so that they can be contacted ifWar Memorials Trust needs to.

War Memorials Trust’s Director, FrancesMoreton, said:

“In Memoriam 2014 is a very special project toprotect war memorials in communities acrossthe UK. War Memorials Trust seeks to bothprotect and conserve this unique part of ournational heritage and it is delighted to beinvolved. The Trust encourages everyone totake an active interest and ensure thecustodians of your local war memorials aretaking advantage of this wonderfulopportunity to protect war memorials free ofcharge.”

Sir Keith Povey QPM, Chairman of theSmartWater Foundation, said:

“As the centenary of the First World Warapproaches, ‘In Memoriam 2014’ encouragescommunities to reconnect with their local warmemorials and remember the sacrifice that somany people made for their country. TheSmartWater Foundation is pleased to bepartnering with War Memorials Trust in thisproject and I hope that the community willembrace it by taking an interest in locatingand preserving these symbols of ourcommemoration.”

“The Trust encourageseveryone to take anactive interest andensure the custodiansof your local warmemorials are takingadvantage of thiswonderfulopportunity toprotect warmemorials free ofcharge.”

Many war memorials do not have acustodian; they were erected by publicsubscription and it was assumed thatcommunities or organisations would lookafter them. Part of the project will be tomake people aware of their localmemorials and, if no custodian can beidentified or found, find someone to takeon that responsibility. Some localcouncils have already takencustodianship as well as individuals andvarious organisations such as the RoyalBritish Legion. Memorials located withinchurches or schools are generally lookedafter by those authorities.

Metal theft is currently estimated to becosting the UK economy in excess of£700 million every year.

Smartwater is applied to the memorial

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Based in Nuneaton and Bedworth TownHall, the Veterans Contact Point willprovide help and support to anyonewho has previously served in the ArmedForces, bringing together theorganisations that are able to help.

THE project was driven forward byWarwickshire Probation Service, and hasseen the centre set up in the heart ofNuneaton to support all veterans andServing Personnel from across Nuneaton,Bedworth, Coventry and Warwickshire.

Cllr Neil Phillips, Mayor of Nuneaton andBedworth said:

"Nuneaton and Bedworth has a closerelationship with the Armed Forces andthis has been demonstrated a number oftimes through the number of parades thathave taken place.

"I welcome the opening of this service. Alot of hard work has been done to get itup and running and as a Council we willbe doing as much as possible to supportit."

Volunteers will be on hand to work withveterans who need help and supportwhether they are finding out about thebenefits they could be entitled to,accessing grants to set up a businesswhen leaving the Services or looking forsupport to get back on track aftercommitting an offence, the centre is thereto help.

Jason Wilkins, a veteran himself and also avolunteer at the centre said:

“I am passionate about my role in theVeterans Contact Point. As a veteranmyself I know how difficult it has been toget the support I needed when leavingthe forces. I am committed to helpingother veterans get the support they needas soon as possible, so I would urgeanyone out there who has previouslyserved in the forces to give us a call orcome along to the Town Hall to see howwe can help.”

Cllr Dennis Harvey, Leader of the Councilsaid:

“I would like to take the opportunity towish the organisers and volunteers every

success in this initiative, and I hopeveterans throughout the county will usethe service to gain access to the serviceavailable to them.”

A point of contactNew regional advice and support centre aimed at helping ex-Service men and women adjustback into civilian life opened

ContactsFor further information on the VeteransContact Point: call 024 7637 6129, visitwww.veteranscontactpoint.org.uk [email protected]

The project has been funded throughthe Coventry and Warwickshire branchof SSAFA Forces Help and Europeanfunding awarded to the WarwickshireProbation Service for the project.

“. . . I hope veteransthroughout the countywill use the service togain access to the serviceavailable to them.”

Representatives from the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association, the Royal British Legion and Help for Heroes were all present at theopening in July, when the doors were officially opened, after the ribbon was cut by the Mayor, Cllr Neil Phillips.

The Mayor of Nuneaton and Bedworth, NeilPhillips opens the Veterans Contact Pointwith the Lord Lieutenant for WarwickshireMartin Dunne and volunteer Jason Wilkins

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article number 1 images available

SPVA News

FROM 16 June, SPVA ceased to be anExecutive Agency of the Ministry ofDefence (MOD) in a move, requested bythe Agency, and agreed by the Ministerfor Defence Personnel, Welfare andVeterans.

SPVA will remain a distinct business unitand continue to be known as the ServicePersonnel and Veterans Agency from acustomer perspective and report, asbefore, to the Deputy Chief of DefenceStaff (Personnel & Training) in the MOD.

There's no change to the name or theservices SPVA delivers but the change instatus will reduce administration costspreviously incurred by having Agencystatus.

SPVA Deputy Chief Executive, Cdre RossAlbon explained:

“This has not been an easy decision. Welooked long and hard but decided that in

the current financial climate, we had toprioritise funds on maintaining andimproving the services we deliver to ourcustomers, rather than on ourselves. Theimportant thing is that we will still bedelivering our essential and high qualityservices to our customers. It is a case of‘Business as Usual’ for SPVA."

Although no longer an ‘Executive Agency’,SPVA will keep its identity and logo whichhelps maintain its association with ex-Service charities and organisations. Thiswill avoid the unnecessary expenditureassociated with re-branding.

From Tudor times to present day

The fifth SPVA video was released, whichlooks at the history of the War PensionScheme.

In this release, SPVA Presenter Don Goldielooks at the history of the War PensionScheme. Now running in conjunction withthe Armed Forces Compensation Scheme,the original scheme can trace its rootsback to Tudor times.

The first formal scheme to compensatebattle casualties and their families wasconceived during the reign of Elizabeth Iover 400 years ago. Then, an ordinarysoldier wounded in battle could expect toreceive around £10 per year for hisinjuries, now in the reign of the secondElizabeth, a streamlined organisationadministered by SPVA ensures acomprehensive package of welfare andpension services encompassing the widerVeterans Community.

The video is available to view on theVeterans-UK website, www.veterans-uk.info and on the SPVAYouTube channel.

Sir Bill Rollo visits the Agency

DCDS Pers Lt Gen Sir Bill Rollo visited theSPVA’s Blackpool offices in May. Sir Bill isthe Deputy Chief of Defence Staffresponsible for MOD personnel.

During his time at the offices, Sir Billvisited the Veterans Helpline, met withstaff working on the Armed ForcesCompensation Scheme and discussedveterans welfare with the Officer in Chargeof the Veterans Welfare Service.

During his visit to the Helpline, Sir Bill hadthe opportunity to talk to staff from theHelpline and Customer Services Teamsabout their work, learn about the types ofenquiries received and how staff build uptheir skills to become helpline operators.While on the tour, Sir Bill was able to listenin on a call to the helpline.

Podcasts update

Since the last issue, there have a been acouple of podcast releases – a three-partseries to the changes to the Armed ForcesCompensation Scheme, a podcastsupporting Armed Forces Day and aninterview with the MOD’s Directorate ofMedia and Communications about theMOD’s Online Security AwarenessCampaign (see page 26). To listen to thepodcasts visit the Social Media Hub atwww.veterans-uk.info . The podcasts canbe downloaded direct from the website oriTunes.

Business as usual for SPVA

"The importantthing is that wewill still bedelivering ouressential andhigh qualityservices to ourcustomers."

Sir Bill listening into a call on theVeterans Helpline

Service Personnel & Veterans Agency

The regular feature providing youwith updates from the ServicePersonnel and Veterans Agency

Almshouses provided food and shelter forinjured veterans. They were often funded

by benefactors

Issue 21 September 2011

26

Veterans World Noticeboard

If you use social media as a way tocommunicate and share information, thenan MOD campaign might help you stay safeonline . . .

THE Online Security campaign was launchedto encourage Service personnel and MODcivilian staff to carefully consider possiblerepercussions before posting information onsocial networking sites.

The campaign introduced new guidance -‘Think Before You . . .’ - forpersonnel using socialmedia sites like Twitter,Facebook and YouTube,which advised them not toput themselves or othersat increased risk byreleasing too muchinformation aboutthemselves or otheroperational details. WithYouTube films and greattips of updating yourprivacy settings and theuse of geo-locationapplications, the guidancecould easily be of use toanyone using social media.

The campaign is not to discourage personnelfrom using Social Media, as Major GeneralJohn Lorimer, the Chief of the Defence Staff'sStrategic Communications Officer, explained:

"Social media has enabled our personnel tostay in touch with their families and theirfriends no matter where they are in the world.

We want our men and women to embrace theuse of sites like Twitter, Facebook, LinkedInand YouTube, but also want them tobe aware of the risks that sharing toomuch information may pose. You don'talways know who else is watching incyberspace.

"The MOD Headquarters has its ownFacebook, YouTube and Twitter feedsand we see no reason to stop ourpersonnel from tweeting or posting on

their own walls. But the MOD hasa responsibility to warnpersonnel of the risks they couldbe exposing themselves to,hence the launch of thiscampaign."

'Think Before You...' is areminder that personal andoperational security should bea primary concern and thatsocial media merely provides adifferent context where sensitivedetails can be found.

Major Gen Lorimer added:

"We do not want to scare Servicepersonnel, families and veterans and

we certainly do not want them to stop usingsocial media. We are not here to gag peoplebecause we acknowledge the ubiquity andsignificant benefits that social media offers topeople and the MOD. I am a big fan ofFacebook and Twitter and I use them on aregular basis. These channels are vital tocommunicating in a digital age."

Think before you share . . . The MOD’s personal online security awareness campaign for the Armed Forces Community

“Social mediahas enabledour personnelto stay in touchwith theirfamilies andtheir friends nomatter wherethey are in theworld.”

“We do not want to scareService personnel, familiesand veterans and wecertainly do not want themto stop using social media.”

ContactsFor further information visitwww.blogs.mod.uk/onlinesecurity/

Editor’s Note: In one of our latestpodcast releases, we interviewedPippa Norris, Assistant Head ofOnline Engagement to find out moreabout the campaign. To listen to thepodcast, visit our Social Media Hubat www.veterans-uk.info


hare . . . es Community

want to scareonnel, familiess and wenot want them

g social media.”Risks to Service personnel - and potentially their families - include posting details and locations of troop movements,operational events, locations and travel details of ships or aircraft, as well as people's home addresses. If inadvertentlyreleased, information such as this could give the UK's enemies the upper hand.

Veterans go back to school

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Veterans World - Issue 21