Veterans WORLD Issue 27 April 2013 by Veterans UK

Issue 27 April 2013

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Raising awareness of the range of help and advice available to veterans

Racing to Recovery

Service Personnel and Veterans Agency

HELP AND SUPPORT FROM SERVICE PERSONNEL AND VETERANS AGENCY

Call the Veterans-UK Helpline 0800 169 2277* Visit www.veterans-uk.info

Email veterans.help@spva.gsi.gov.uk

Facebook Service personnel and veterans Agency (MOD) *You may be offered a call back if lines are busy

Twitter@SPVAmod

Contents

April 2013 Issue 27

IN THIS ISSUE 6

Veterans go ‘Football crazy’ LFC launches health and wellbeing programme

From archery to outreach Scottish War Blinded expand their services

Helping John on road to recovery Getting an injured veteran back on his feet

Doors open Armed Forces Community Covenant Grant funds new centre

Regulars 4-5 25

News in Brief SPVA News

Front cover: Race2Recovery, see pages 12-13

The content of Veterans WORLD is provided to raise awareness of help, advice and support available to the veterans community. Publication of articles on services provided or developments affecting the veterans community does not mean that they are endorsed by Veterans WORLD or the Ministry of Defence.

For advertising opportunities please contact: SPVA-VeteransWorld@mod.uk Veterans WORLD is distributed to those who work in an advisory role.

Managing Editor: Laurie Manton Editor: Clare Ellis Email: SPVA-VeteransWorld@mod.uk Want to make an editorial contribution? Contributions are most welcome. To raise awareness of an initiative, scheme or organisation that offers help, advice or support to veterans, contact the Editorial Team by Email: SPVA-VeteransWorld@mod.uk or by calling: 01253 338816 For distribution enquiries Email: SPVA-VeteransWorld@mod.uk or call: 01253 338811

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News in brief Armed Forces Covenant Annual Report The first statutory report on the Armed Forces Covenant was published in December, examining the effects of service on the Armed Forces Community (Service personnel, veterans and their families), particularly areas where they may face disadvantage. The report shows that, one year after the principles of the Armed Forces Covenant were enshrined in law, the process is starting to work. Areas where the Armed Forces Community may face disadvantage are being identified, and measures to reduce any adverse effects are being delivered. The report highlights that a number of measures have been met that make a real difference to life as a former Service person. More help is now available for those leaving the Service to go on to further education – not least through payment of tuition fees. Progress has also been made in healthcare; veterans in England accessing NHS Services are given priority treatment for Service-related conditions, with similar arrangements in Scotland and Wales. However, the

report also recognises there is still much to be done to address the disadvantage exService personnel may face. It sets out areas in which more work is required, for instance in encouraging disabled veterans to apply for the Disabled Facilities Grant and considering whether there is a need to provide ‘halfway’ housing for veterans who fall on hard times.

New webpages launched The Veterans Advisory & Pensions Committees have revamped their webpages providing wider information on the support they provide to the Armed Forces Community. There are thirteen committees based across the UK, the members include former Service personnel as well as a spectrum of others from the civil community who can give advice to veterans on the range of services available to them. This could range from establishing eligibility for a Service Pension to supporting the Armed Forces Community Covenant in their local area. Their aim is to: •

Check out the Covenant website - www.gov.uk/the-armedforces-covenant - to read the report which covers the full scope of the Covenant, including the key issues of healthcare, education, housing and the conduct of inquests.

• •

Can you help us spread the word? Along with the British Legion Scotland, SSAFA Forces Help, the NHS, Dumfries and Galloway Council and other charitable bodies, Dumfries and Galloway Housing Partnership (DGHP) is a member of a local group called ‘First Contact’ for exServicemen and women in the south west of Scotland. The group was first set up to help coordinate all the voluntary agencies that provide help and support to the Service and ExService community across Dumfries and Galloway. On April 17, Dumfries will host the homecoming parade for

1st Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland (1 Scots) who are currently serving in Afghanistan. On the same day, the First Contact group will be holding an event aimed at giving serving and ex-Service Personnel information about the various agencies who can provide them with support and advice – whether it is medical, financial or simply practical. For more information call the DGHP customer service centre on 0800 011 3447.

•

give a regional focus providing advice, assistance and support to the Armed Forces community and local public service providers; advise all public bodies on the needs of veterans and their families; raise awareness of veterans' needs with public bodies and the local community; and assist and provide guidance on accessing public services, and assisting with claims or complaints.

Visit the webpages to find out: how the committees are supporting their community, details of your local committee and how to contact them. www.veterans-uk.info/new_vapc

Best Practice Guide launched

New benefit introduced MOD and DWP implement new benefit for those seriously injured by Armed Forces Service.

required to undergo any initial assessment or further reassessment in the future.

On April 8, 2013 the Ministry of Defence (MOD), in conjunction with the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), will introduce a new benefit called the Armed Forces Independence Payment (AFIP). AFIP is a simplification of the financial support available for members of the Armed Forces who have been seriously injured as a result of military service since 6 April 2005.

This is the latest measure to be announced as part of the Government’s commitment to uphold the Armed Forces Covenant to ensure personnel and their families are not unfairly affected by their service to their country and to ensure special consideration is given to the injured.

AFIP will provide eligible recipients with ongoing payments to help with the additional costs associated with their injuries. Claimants who choose to claim AFIP will not be eligible for Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Disability Living Allowance (DLA) or Attendance Allowance (AA). Service personnel and veterans who are entitled to a Guaranteed Income Payment (GIP) of 50 per cent or higher through the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme will be eligible for the payments. AFIP payments will be £134.40 per week, the same amount as the enhanced rates of both the daily living and mobility components of PIP or the highest rate of both components of DLA. It is non-taxable and will not be means-tested against any other benefits. Those eligible for AFIP will keep the payment for as long as they are entitled to receive a GIP of 50 per cent or higher and eligible claimants will not be

Further information on the payment is available at www.veterans-uk.info or by contacting 0800 169 2277. Service personnel and veterans eligible for AFIP will be contacted by the Service Personnel and Veterans Agency before April 8, 2013.

The Royal British Legion has set out its vision for local civilian engagement with Armed Forces communities. The nation's leading Armed Forces charity is urging local authorities not only to sign Community Covenants, mutual agreements between civilian and Armed Forces communities, but also to implement tangible measures to bring about real local benefits. The Legion's Best Practice Guide to Community Covenants was launched at each of the three main Party Conferences last Autumn, with endorsements from senior MPs from each party. It has been sent to every local authority in England and Wales and has been extremely well received so far. Endorsed by the Local Government Association, the Legion's guide gives practical advice and suggests measures for local authorities to consider as part of their commitment to their own Community Covenant. The guide is packed with case studies covering issues such as housing, employment, education, health and access to services. The guide is available to download at www.britishlegion.org.uk/campaigning/communitycovenants

Partnership Awards 2013 Nottingham commits to supporting the Armed Forces [Picture: Corporal Gabriel Moreno, Crown Copyright/MOD 2013]

Nominations were opened for the 2013 Military and Civilian Health Partnership Awards which was launched in January. The ceremony honours the people, projects and initiatives that provide serving military personnel, including reservists, and their families and veterans with the very best in healthcare and social care. The awards are open to civilian health staff and military medics working within the Defence Medical Services, the NHS, and private or voluntary sectors. The 2013 awards ceremony, to be held on May 21, is being hosted by the Welsh Government and, from January, people could nominate individuals or teams who provide care and support to Service personnel, Reservists and veterans. Nominations closed on February 21, 2013. Details of the awards are available at

Service personnel in Nottingham promoting Armed Forces Day 2013

Veterans WORLD will report on the Awards in a future issue.

Ahead of hosting Armed Forces Day in June, Nottingham has shown the strength of its support for Service personnel and their families with the signing of a Community Covenant.

Reaching out to veterans

Through a joint signing, both Nottingham City and Nottinghamshire County Councils have pledged practical help for their military communities.

www.militarycivilianhealthawards.org

Dr Andrew Murrison MD MP’s ‘Fighting Fit’ report recommended that veterans should be contacted 12 months after leaving Service to ensure that health monitoring of Service personnel continued after the end of their service. SPVA and the Department of Health have been working together to implement this initiative as the Veterans Information Service (VIS). Following commitments given in an adjournment debate in the House of Commons and Ministerial agreement in December 2012 SPVA was tasked with implementing VIS in time for Christmas 2012, with the aim of signposting to an identified group of veterans. As this was four months ahead of the proposed implementation date, this was a challenge that SPVA rose to. In less than two weeks, a team of 30 staff issued information to more than 13,000 veterans.

It comes as the city of Nottingham prepares to say ‘Hats off to our Heroes’ and thank you when it hosts the nation’s fifth

New recognition for veterans The Prime Minister welcomed Sir John Holmes' review into the rules and principles governing the award of military campaign medals. As part of his review, which was requested by Mr Cameron, Sir John Holmes recommended recognition for veterans of the Arctic Convoys and Bomber Command Second World War campaigns. The Prime Minister agreed with his findings.

Since the New Year, the focus has remained on all those who have been out of the Services for more than a year, since the Murrison report was published in September 2010. It is intended that VIS will become an established initiative where each month, on a rolling basis, around 2,500 ‘new’ veterans will be contacted.

Veterans of the Arctic Convoy campaigns will receive recognition with an Arctic Convoy Star medal. Meanwhile, the aircrew of Bomber Command who played such a vital role in the war will be awarded a Bomber Command clasp.

Information provided in the VIS contact letter gives details of the range of services available to veterans, including signposting to ex-Service organisations, the Veterans UK Helpline and the SPVA website.

The Coalition Agreement included a commitment to review the rules surrounding the award of military campaign medals, as part of work to strengthen the military covenant.

Early monitoring has confirmed VIS as a success with the Helpline and the ex-Service organisations reporting successful provision of advice to veterans on a range of subjects including health, employment and housing.

It is estimated that up to 120,000 veterans or next of kin could be eligible for the Arctic Star and 125,000 for the Bomber Command Clasp. The new awards have been designed and produced, with plans to begin issuing them in the Spring.

From April, it is hoped that the VIS letter will contain a link to The Royal British Legion’s new knowledge database website which will provide detailed signposting to postcode level.

Further details and how to apply are available at

www.veterans-uk.info /vis

http://www.veterans-uk.info/ or by calling the MOD’s Medal Office on 08457 800 900

Issue 27 April 2013

annual Armed Forces Day on June 29 at the Victoria Embankment next to the River Trent. The event will celebrate the outstanding contribution made by the men and women of the Royal Navy, Army and Royal Air Force to this country - including veterans and the growing number of reservists from all three Services. Councillor Carol Pepper, Chairman of Nottinghamshire County Council, said: “The County Council and communities throughout Nottinghamshire already enjoy close links with the Armed Forces and I am thrilled that we are making this very public commitment to strengthen that relationship.” Councillor Merlita Bryan, Sheriff of Nottingham, added: “Nottingham boasts a proud military heritage and the signing of this covenant will serve to ensure we do all we can to support the Armed Forces and their families. “It is also significant that Nottingham has been chosen to host this year’s Armed Forces Day and will be taking the national lead in recognising and saying thank you for the huge contribution and sacrifices made by our Service personnel past, present and future.” www.armedforcesday.org.uk/

Employment support for blind veterans Remploy and Blind Veterans UK have set up a new partnership aimed at increasing the numbers of vision impaired ex-Service personnel in civilian employment. Remploy, the leading provider of employment services for people with disabilities and health conditions, will work with national charity Blind Veterans UK to provide access to a broad range of Remploy services across Britain. This includes; engaging with veterans to identify their transferrable skills, potential employment opportunities and supporting individuals already in work who are seeking development opportunities. Both organisations have agreed to tap into their areas of expertise, share their culture and values and provide training for each other’s employees to improve skill sets. Blind Veterans UK members will have access to the suite of support available via Remploy’s Work Choice for Veterans contract and additional services delivered by its Vocational Rehabilitation team, such as one-to-one case management and development support.

LFC Academy opens its doors to veterans

Liverpool FC Foundation launches health and wellbeing programmes for veterans In the coming months, the Foundation will set up and run a specific league for ex-Servicemen involving around 100 veterans. The league is being part-funded by the Liverpool Primary Care Trust and therefore currently allows all projects to be offered free of charge. In addition to offering football skills and competition, the Foundation are hoping to provide an additional network of information and services to aide veterans in their return to civilian life. Services will include advice on health and well-being, as well as providing training and employment opportunities.

Lucas Leiva, Liverpool midfielder (right) with John Tedford who is part of the Foundation’s veterans programme

sense of team work and increase self confidence.

In recent months, the Liverpool FC Foundation has launched a series of programmes designed to support Armed Forces veterans. STEVE HOLLIS, Liverpool’s Foundation Coach explained why the club decided to introduce the programmes: “We believe that football offers the ideal platform to promote physical activity, a

“In November last year, the Foundation started free weekly Coaching and Football activity sessions for Military veterans at the LFC Academy. The sessions provide the perfect setting for the veterans to come together and play on one of the indoor or outdoor 3G pitches. Sessions focus on fitness, individual technique but, most importantly, encourage team spirit and aim to recapture the comradeship participants experienced when part of the Armed Forces.”

“This is an exciting new programme with the potential to grow with the participation of veterans from the North West area. If you are interested in attending any aspect outlined please contact me at the Liverpool FC Foundation.”

We believe that football

Editor’s Note: Veterans WORLD will report on progress in a later issue.

“

offers the ideal platform to promote physical activity, a sense of team work and increase self confidence.”

”

The Liverpool FC Foundation will launch a veterans football league later this year

Steve Hollis added:

Contacts For more information email Steve.hollis@liverpoolfc.com visit* www.liverpoolfc.com/foundation or follow the LFC Foundation on Twitter@LFCFoundation *The website will be going live in spring

Meeting the Covenant challenge Making the Community Covenant real

“These partnerships between a council, the local military community, and other community bodies can offer real benefits to former Service personnel.” kick-start local projects that support mutual understanding and integration between military and civilian communities. Anglesey’s Community Covenant signing got off to flying start

If you have been reading previous articles in Veteran’s WORLD, you will know about the important commitments made by the Armed Forces Covenant and the improvements that have been made for former Service personnel. However, the Armed Forces Covenant isn’t just about Government commitments. With over half of all Local Authorities in Britain now signed up, the Community Covenant Scheme is gathering pace.

LAST time the Covenant Team wrote a piece for Veterans WORLD magazine on the Community Covenant, nearly 100 Community Covenants had been signed. Catriona Shaw from the Covenant Team, is pleased to report on progress . . . “We’re pleased to say the scheme is growing, with over 230 now signed and we hope to be able to have all Local Authority areas in England, Scotland and Wales at County and Unitary level signed by Remembrance Day 2013. “These partnerships between a council, the local military community, and other community bodies can offer real benefits to former Service personnel. What it encompasses is up to you. For instance, Liverpool City Council has established a number of key projects aimed at providing veterans and their families with support and advice, mental health support programmes from ‘Talking to Minds’ and the development of employment opportunities through initiatives such as guaranteed interview schemes in the City.

The Civvy Street radio project funded by the Community Covenant Grant Scheme

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“Alongside the Community Covenant, a £30 million grant fund was established to

“From art projects to outreach programmes, the Community Covenant Grant Scheme has allocated some £5 million and counting. For example, Veterans F1rst Point, an Edinburgh based charity which offers support to veterans with welfare or mental health concerns, used their funding to hold a conference to further increase awareness of veterans’ issues and the services available. Meanwhile, a team from Exeter University set up a drama workshop to create a radio play based on veteran’s experiences of Service life, focusing on their journey into Civvy Street. The play is now touring schools to give pupils an understanding of the challenges facing veterans.” Be part of the community “We are always looking for great new ideas, so if you would like to find out more about applying for a Community Covenant Grant check out our website – https://www.gov.uk/armed-forcescommunity-covenant “While you are there, find out more about the work that’s going on across the UK to make sure that veterans are treated with gratitude and respect and are not disadvantaged by their membership of the Armed Forces Community.”

Army veteran re-homed by housing partnership

Housing partnership making veterans a priority

Getting the keys to their new home

Greg Wallace, of Dumfries, is the latest Armed Forces veteran to be re-homed by Dumfries and Galloway Housing Partnership's (DGHP) Armed Forces priority route. GREG, 28, had been discharged from the Army last year, following a two-year rehabilitation period after he was seriously injured while serving in Afghanistan. Changes made to DGHP's lettings policy in 2011 means that those leaving the Armed Forces and veterans now have a direct route into housing when they leave the Services - believed to be the first in Scotland, and the UK. Greg, and his fiancée Catriona O'Connor, 26, moved into their new home in time for Christmas. He said: "I read about what DGHP were doing last year in the newspaper and I remember thinking ‘I hope that might help me’ - and it has. I appreciate that I've been given so much. "It's been perfect timing for us, with me just being discharged, and it meant we could get moved in before Christmas. Since coming home when I was injured two years ago, I'd been living with my parents. And for the last six months Catriona has also been living with me, so it's been very cramped.

"My parents have been great, but we’ve looked forward to setting up our home together and having our own space. We are so grateful for the house, and appreciate everything that's been done to get us to this stage."

“I remember thinking ‘I hope that might help me’ - and it has.”

Greg first applied for housing last year, but when his discharge officer made him aware of the change in DGHP's policy in May 2012, he got back in touch. As a result, Greg now has the keys to his new home in Dumfries. "The house is perfect for us and basically since we began dealing with DGHP on this; it was only a few months before we were offered the house." Greg has spent the last two years rebuilding his life following the incident in Afghanistan in 2010. Greg was shot in the leg, just above his left ankle and underwent three major operations which left him in hospital for three weeks. "It's not been an easy couple of years, but I've had a lot of support and help from a lot of people, including the Army." Following a long process of rehabilitation, Greg is now very much looking towards the future in his new home: "I am also training for a future career as a driving instructor. Things have worked out really well.

Greg and his fiancee Catriona began 2013 in their new home thanks to DGHP

"It's good to know that help is out there, and that when you come out of the Army, there is support and advice available to get your life back on track."

Contacts For further information visit www.dghp.org.uk or call 0800 011 3447

Veterans encouraged to share their experiences on transition Armed Forces veterans asked how transition to civilian life can be improved of leaving the Services actually experience. I want to know whether there are gaps between the government’s good intentions and what happens to individuals on the ground.

“We will consult widely, but I also want to hear directly from those who have a view and want to be heard. The experiences of individuals and families who have made the transition from military to civilian life will play an important part in the review, and ultimately, I hope, in ensuring those who have served the country get the support they deserve.

The Veterans community is asked to have their say on improving the transition to civilian life

LORD ASHCROFT, the Prime Minister’s Special Representative for Veterans’ Transition, has launched a website through which veterans, families and others with an interest in the area can report their experiences, including problems they have encountered, and make suggestions as to how the process could be improved.

“ . . . I want to know whether there are gaps between the government’s good intentions and what happens to individuals on the ground.”

Contributions will be considered as part of Lord Ashcroft’s official review of transition, which will report at the end of 2013.

other bodies including Service charities and the Armed Forces themselves. Where necessary, Lord Ashcroft will recommend to the government specific changes of policy or practice.

Former Service personnel and their families are being asked how the transition to civilian life could be improved for Armed Forces leavers.

Contributions can be made on the ‘Have Your Say’ page of the Veterans’ Transition website. The review will consider all aspects of transition including employment, health, housing and education. As well as listening to the experiences of individuals, Lord Ashcroft’s team will consult industry, local authorities and government departments, as well as

Issue 27 April 2013

The work aims to build on the Armed Forces Covenant, which commits the government to ensuring that veterans receive fair and equal treatment and are not disadvantaged as a result of their Service to the nation. Lord Ashcroft said: “It is very important to me to get a feel for what those going through the process

The Veterans Transition Review web page

Minister of State for Defence Personnel, Welfare and Veterans, Mark Francois added: “This government is committed to looking after all those who have given so much to protect and serve our country. We want to make sure that Service personnel get all the support and help they need when they make the transition to civilian life.” “The Prime Minister appointed Lord Ashcroft as his special representative for Veterans’ Transition and I look forward to supporting his work. As part of that I want to encourage as many people as possible to get involved and contribute to his consultation.”

Contacts For further information, visit www.veteranstransition.co.uk/

Supporting those who served Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity grants on the rise Unique in being grant-maker to many projects and charities that exist to improve the quality of life for our naval family, the Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity (RNRMC) made grants of £5,300,000 in 2012 – an increase on the previous year’s total of £5,100,000. THE grants covered the full range of the RNRMC’s beneficiary group, supporting those who served long ago, as well as further helping to improve facilities and fund amenities for today’s serving sailors, marines, reservists, Royal Fleet Auxiliary and their families. Benevolence grants last year of £3.3 million included £439,500 to the Royal Naval Benevolent Trust and £560,000 to the Royal Navy & Royal Marines Children’s Fund. Among the 16 other charities supported were Blind Veterans UK, SSAFA Forces Help, the Not Forgotten Association and Erskine as the RNRMC greatly expanded its ability to reach beneficiaries in need. Making a real difference At the Royal Star & Garter Charity’s Richmond Home, former Royal Navy Leading Seaman, Eddie Gravett [pictured], has received nursing and therapeutic care since 2010. Although now speechimpaired and largely wheelchair-bound, daily therapy helps to keep him mobile and he also greatly enjoys joining in social amenities, all aided by a grant from the RNRMC to the Royal Star & Garter Homes. Eddie is one of many helped by the grants the RNRMC makes. There are many unique ways for people to raise funds for RNRMC Demand rising In these tough times, demand is rising for the charity’s grants. Without the RNRMC’s support, it would not be possible for all these great charities to help the numbers they reach. With support, the RNRMC can continue to provide through-life support to the Naval Service family. Eddie Gravett is one of the many veterans who have benefitted from the support RNRMC gives organisations supporting the Armed Forces Community.

Individuals are supported by the RNRMC grants made to frontline Naval Service benevolence charities. Frontline charities can apply for a benevolence grant by contacting RNRMC Head of Grants, Anne Carr, anne.carr@rnrmc.org.uk.

Contacts For further information call 02392 548128 or visit www.rnrmc.org.uk/ Editor’s Note: There are lots of ways to get involved, from donations through to holding your own fundraising event; the RNRMC welcomes your fundraising ideas. For more information, contact fundraising@rnrmc.org.uk or call 023 9254 8289.

Beyond injury – achieving the extraordinary

[Copyright Gaucho Productions]

Race2Recovery’s injured soldiers make history

Race2Recovery celebrate as their car approaches the finish line

Race2Recovery, the group of injured Service personnel, predominantly soldiers who formed a rally team to raise funds for Forces charities, celebrated making history by becoming the first ever disability team to complete the world’s toughest race – the Dakar Rally. THE team’s Land Rover Defender-based Wildcat race vehicle and its crew, of driver Major Matt O’Hare and co-driver Corporal Phillip Gillespie, completed their sensational achievement as they crossed the finish line of the final stage in Santiago, Chile, signalling the end of an extraordinary two weeks of racing that saw the team’s other three Wildcat vehicles fall out of the race at various stages along the way. Major O’Hare and Corporal Gillespie were quick to praise their teammates, including the mechanics and support team, as they spoke shortly after completing the final

stage. Major O’Hare, 32, originally from Hereford and currently based in Earlsfield, London, said: “It’s not quite sinking in that we’ve actually done it. I’m ecstatic and am so proud and pleased for the whole Race2Recovery team. Our mechanics and support team have kept us in the race and their work and dedication was second to none. Our other drivers and co-drivers who were forced to retire earlier in the race became an integral part of the support team as we continued the challenge and so this really is a team success. To complete the Dakar Rally is an incredible achievement in itself, but to become the first ever disability team to cross that finish line lifts the achievement to a whole other level.” Corporal Phillip Gillespie, 24, from Ballymena, Northern Ireland, an amputee who was injured in Afghanistan, added:

“To complete the Dakar Rally is an incredible achievement in itself, but to become the first ever disability team to cross that finish line lifts the achievement to a whole other level.” “We have found out first-hand why they call the Dakar Rally the hardest race in the world. It has pushed every single one us to our limits and beyond. To be able to stand at the finish line and say we achieved what we set out to achieve, to become the first ever disability team to complete the Dakar Rally, feels magical.

[Copyright Gaucho Productions]

About the Dakar Rally

Major Matt O’Hare (left) and Cpl Phillip Gillespie (right) of Race2Recovery

Our team motto is ‘Beyond Injury – Achieving The Extraordinary’ and we’ve done just that. I hope that we’ve been able to inspire people who may be facing difficulties through injury or illness.” Race2Recovery Team Manager, Warrant Officer Andrew Taylor, 40, who suffered a serious back injury after being caught in a suicide bomb attack during active service in the Royal Army Medical Corps, said: “The support that this team has received, from back home and also from the people of Peru, Argentina and Chile, has been first class. People from all over the world had been sending messages of support to the team and the closer we got to the finish the more these messages flooded in. The Race2Recovery challenge really seems to have captured the imagination of the public and we can’t thank everyone enough.” Captain Tony Harris, 31, one of Race2Recovery’s rally drivers who is a below the knee amputee as a result of injuries suffered while serving in Afghanistan, said: “To be standing in Santiago knowing we’ve finished, two weeks after starting out on this epic journey, felt absolutely brilliant. The team had shown huge dedication, going without sleep and

Issue 27 April 2013

putting in some serious hours of hard work, whether as the drivers, co-drivers or support team.” The Race2Recovery team has rapidly risen to become a fully functioning rally raid team in only 18 months. Originally beginning their campaign with one Land Rover Freelander and a handful of members, the team now totals 28 people with four Wildcat race vehicles and fleet of support vehicles including a 4x4 truck that will race the course in order to support the race cars, plus 8x8 support trucks and a number of Land Rover Discovery vehicles to help move the support team and mechanical equipment. The team operates to the motto ‘Beyond Injury – Achieving The Extraordinary’, and set up its Dakar Rally challenge in order to inspire people who may be injured, ill or facing adversity. Members of the team that have been wounded in combat have a huge variety of injuries - some are more apparent than others but each person has had their life completely changed. Whether dealing with missing limbs, spinal and respiratory injuries, or psychological and fragmentation injuries, each has resolved to prove that their injury will not stop them completing the toughest race on the planet.

The Dakar Rally (or simply ‘The Dakar’, formerly known as ‘The Paris–Dakar’) is an annual Dakar Series rally raid offroad race, organised by the Amaury Sport Organisation. The race originated in 1978, a year after racer Thierry Sabine got lost in the desert and decided that it would be a good location for a regular rally event. Originally, the rally was from Paris, France, to Dakar, Senegal. However, due to politics and other factors, the course, including origin and destination, has varied over the years. The race is open to amateur and professional entries with amateurs typically making up about 80 per cent of participants. Despite its name, it is an off-road endurance race, called a rally-raid rather than a conventional rally – the terrain the competitors traverse is much tougher and the vehicles used by teams and individuals are true off-road vehicles rather than the modified onroad vehicles used in rallies. The majority of the competitive special sections are off-road, crossing dunes, mud, camel grass and rocks among others. The Dakar 2013 course, stretched over 9000 km of the world’s toughest terrain, began in Lima, Peru on January 5, with the course winding down through Peru, into Argentina and then into Chile where it officially finished in Santiago on January 20 with a parade and podium presentation.

Contacts You can find more information on Race2Recovery at www.race2recovery.com or you can follow them on Google+ Race2Recovery, Twitter @race2recovery and Facebook.

Taking skills to Civvy Street Enthusiastic response to Military Work Placement Scheme

Stephen Hammond MP at Military Work Placement Scheme launch Skills for Logistics reports fantastic enthusiasm for the Military Work Placement Scheme launched last November to fund companies to provide nearly 1,000 work placements to ex-Service personnel into 2013. THE current ratio of 30 per cent placements receiving job offers represents a significant endorsement of the Scheme by employers. These jobs range from senior director positions through operations management to driving. The government-funded Military Work Placement Scheme (MWPS) was launched formally at the Imperial War Museum with employers, representatives of the military and Stephen Hammond MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport in attendance. Mick Jackson, CEO of Skills for Logistics (SfL), reports: “We are seeing fantastic enthusiasm for the MWPS following its formal launch. We have received enormous support from employers with over 2,000 registered placement opportunities. Companies include Kuehne + Nagel, TNT, Norbert Dentressangle, Boots and DHL. Employers clearly want to get involved in the scheme and have access to the excellent resource offered by men and women leaving the armed forces. There is demand for work placement opportunities across the whole

spectrum of logistics roles, from warehousing to driving; traffic office to import/export.” He added: “This pilot scheme ends on March 31 and we see enormous benefit for a longer term scheme from April.” Jackson continued: “The Logistics Sector as a whole has a requirement for skilled labour, particularly to fill acute driver shortages and skilled labour exists within the Armed Forces.” All participating Service personnel benefit from a guaranteed job interview and feedback at the end of the two-week work placement. Employers gain support to plan and deliver structured work experiences that enable Service personnel to find out about work in the sector and provide ample opportunities for them to demonstrate their worth. SfL Implementation Specialists, using a structured Work Placement Framework, will provide guidance and support. Jackson concluded: “We can give Service leavers the chance to translate their military experience into civilian language and to provide the bridge to civilian employment through our modern Logistics Guild, a free-to-join

member network, run by its members for its members; to share ideas, offer support, guidance, development and jobs. For personnel on a placement, every bit of experience will be logged and tracked on their personal locker, which will help towards the development of their skills as they move into logistics roles.”

“We can give service leavers the chance to translate their military experience into civilian language and to provide the bridge to civilian employment . . .” Skills for Logistics (SfL) is the Skills Sector Council (SSC) for the freight logistics and wholesaling sector (The Logistics Sector). SfL works alongside companies in the UK that are involved in moving, handling, storing and wholesale of goods. SfL is licensed by Government to tackle the skills and productivity needs of employers in the logistics and supply chain sector.

Contacts For more information visit www.skillsforlogistics.org

Signing up to save money

Thousands of veterans joined the new discount scheme

The Prime Minister meets members of the Armed Forces Community at the launch of the Defence Privilege Card The December edition of Veterans World provided details on the launch of the Ministry of Defence’s new Defence Discount Service, as part of the Armed Forces Covenant, in recognition of service in the Armed Forces or contribution to Defence. The scheme is making great progress with the introduction of its privilege card. THE new Defence Privilege Card is a key element of the scheme and Prime Minister David Cameron handed the first Privilege Cards to veterans and members of the Armed Forces invited to Number 10 in December. The card is available at a cost of £4.99 and is valid for a full five-year period following issue. It is exclusively for members of the Armed Forces Community including: Serving Regular and Reserve personnel, Armed Forces veterans, spouses/partners of Service personnel and bereaved spouses/partners and other groups supporting Defence such as MOD civil servants, members of the cadet forces and NATO personnel serving in UK-based posts. The Defence Discount Service was launched in October last year and some 22,500 Armed Forces veterans have already registered with the scheme. It is proving popular and is the only card of its type with the official support of the Ministry of

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“. . . many more companies are expected to come forward to offer meaningful discounts to help make life a little easier for the Armed Forces community.” Defence. In the light of the Prime Minister's comments about the Defence Discount Service ‘being an excellent way for UK companies to provide support to Armed Forces personnel’, many more companies are expected to come forward to offer meaningful discounts to help make life a little easier for the Armed Forces community. Participating companies across the country will accept the new card in-store, offering good discounts to scheme members. A wide range of high profile companies are offering discounts on cars, laptops, supermarket shops, holidays, meals, and phones. These companies include: Vodaphone, Iceland supermarket, Vue Cinemas, Hilton Hotels, KFC, Austin Reed, and Merlin Group Attractions (Alton Towers, Legoland, the Edinburgh Dungeon, and Warwick Castle for online bookings). New members should first register on the website, which once completed gives free

Discount Scheme website access to the discounts and offers available without any type of payment necessary. There is a contact number - 01509 233446 that veterans are encouraged to ring if they have any questions or need advice with registration or card queries. A postal application form for the card is available if applicants prefer this method and the operating contractor does accept the £4.99 payment by means of cheque.

Contacts Further details on the discounts, offers, and competitions available can be viewed by visiting the Defence Discount Service website at: www.defencediscountservice.co.uk. Those without internet access can call 01509 233446.

New technology helping to provide lasting remembrance Memorial project gets interactive in preparation for Centenary of the Great War commemorated at the location. Short personal stories combined with letters, images, and in some cases recorded testimonies, provide a powerful and moving human portrait of the war and the impact it had on communities across the British Commonwealth. It is the aim that this project will function not only to interpret our cemeteries and memorials throughout the centenary period but also to provide a commemorative legacy for decades to come.

Runnymede Memorial in Surrey War graves, and the official memorials to those who have no known graves, are a familiar and poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by our Servicemen and women during the two World Wars and the organisation responsible for their care is using new technology to ensure they are never forgotten. THE First World War, the 100th anniversary of which will be marked between 2014 to 2018, changed the world in which we live. Not least, it changed our attitude to remembrance with the birth of organisations like the Imperial (later Commonwealth) War Graves Commission ensuring for the first time that the sacrifice of all, regardless of military or civil rank, race or creed, would be remembered. Founded by Royal Charter in 1917, the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) is dedicated to the care of 1.7 million Commonwealth servicemen and women who lost their lives in the two World Wars. Today the CWGC maintains war graves, cemeteries and memorials at a staggering 23,000 locations, in 153 countries worldwide. The care of these ‘silent cities’ is the CWGC’s primary function and it employs a dedicated workforce – some 1,200 strong – the vast majority of whom are gardeners

and stone masons. But the CWGC has always interpreted its Royal Charter to mean that it has a duty to engage and educate a new generation in the achievements and sacrifices of these individuals, as well as maintain their official commemoration. Visitor numbers to cemeteries and memorials are higher than ever, and expected to grow significantly over the centenary period. Research conducted by the CWGC recently, has shown that while there is a great appetite to remember the First World War, younger audiences in particular, require help in understanding those historic events and putting a face to the human loss. With this in mind, the CWGC has embarked on a mammoth interpretive programme – using new technology to inform and educate like never before. 500 First World War sites, in some 35 countries, will see interpretive panels installed over the next few years. Each panel puts the cemetery or memorial into its historical context – answering the inevitable question “what happened here?” But each panel also carries a QR (Quick Response) code which, when scanned with a smartphone, provides access to further information; including the personal stories of some of the casualties buried or

Maintenence at the Christiansborg Cemetery, Ghana

CWGC is using social media to provide stories like that of Joe Dickinson, a professional footballer with Reading FC, whose death on May 19, 1915 left behind a wife and a daughter, who he never met. http://www.cwgc.org/microsites/ le-touret-memorial.aspx

Contacts For more information about the CWGC visit their website at www.cwgc.org The Commission is actively seeking personal stories for its centenary programme. If you would like to help, please contact media@cwgc.org. You can keep up to date with CWGC latest news by subscribing to their newsletter or following them on Facebook and Twitter.

Moving with the times Scottish War Blinded extends a hand to all of Scotland

Scottish War Blinded provides assistance to ex-Servicemen and women of the Armed Forces who now live with a visual impairment. MEMBERS are assisted daily at the awardwinning Linburn Centre in Wilkieston, where facilities include a skills kitchen, media lounge, art space, craft workshop, IT centre, and training gym. In addition, day trips are organised regularly for members and have in the past included swimming lessons, cinema trips and cultural excursions. The charity also caters to the more adventurous members with activities that include 4x4 driving, abseiling and archery. The Linburn Centre is operated by a team of dedicated staff that includes a rehabilitation worker who provides independent living skills and mobility training to ensure members can enjoy living as autonomously as possible. Assistance is also provided through the recently expanded Outreach Service, which has undergone significant developments in order to serve a greater membership in 2013. The service now boasts seven Outreach Workers stationed throughout Scotland, who will pay individual visits to all Scottish War Blinded members over the course of this year. The Outreach Workers provide extensive support that ranges from sharing a cup of tea and a helpful chat to organising member referrals to

SWB members and staff enjoying 4x4 off-road driving in Perthshire

â&#x20AC;&#x153; . . .seven Outreach Workers stationed throughout Scotland, who will pay individual visits to all Scottish War Blinded members over the course of this year.â&#x20AC;? appropriate statutory agencies and funding house adaptations. The Outreach Service is supported in several local societies for the blind with which staff work closely to ensure that members receive necessary services.

SWB member participating in an archery session at Archers Hall, Edinburgh

Issue 27 April 2013

Local reunions for members are hosted every year to encourage social activity and networking between

veterans. This year, a new service is being introduced where members will be provided with specialist equipment for a visual impairment (such as liquid level indicators, talking watches, and long canes) where it is not available in their local communities. Any veteran who served under British command* and now lives with a significant visual impairment is eligible for membership with Scottish War Blinded. If you think you or someone you know might meet the membership criteria, then contact the Membership Services Officer, Jan Scott, on 0131 229 1456. *Also includes veterans who served in conscription and the Queen Alexandraâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Royal Army Nursing Corps.

Contacts For further information, please contact Sheila Mutch, Linburn Centre Manager, on 0131 333 1369 or Rosie McLaughlin, Outreach Service Manager, on 0131 229 1456, email enquiries@scottishwarblinded.org or visit www.royalblind.org/

A true hero’s road to recovery Charity helps veteran recover from traumatic brain injury

James McClements making his way back to recovery with the help of QAHH

In January, The Queen Alexandra Hospital Home (QAHH) said goodbye to a treasured veteran, who has achieved so much since his arrival at the Worthing charity. 47 YEAR OLD James Scott McClements (known as Scott), was brutally mugged in Brighton on October 25, 2011. Struck with a blunt weapon across the head, Scott was left with fourteen pieces of skull lodged in his brain. Suffering a subdural haematoma, Scott was left in a critical condition. He woke, needing a tracheotomy to breathe, unable to speak or swallow, and with little movement in the right side of his body, he needed hoisting to transfer from his wheelchair to the toilet or his bed. In March 2012, Scott, an Army veteran, transferred to QAHH, which provides nursing and rehabilitation for disabled exServicemen and women. In ten months, Scott has made incredible progress. He can now eat, drink and

breathe independently. His speech has dramatically improved and with four physiotherapy sessions a week, Scott has learned to walk 40 metres and climb stairs. He can also now transfer from his wheelchair which allows greater privacy and a restored sense of dignity. Scott is in pain every day but said:

“The health care assistants have been fantastic. After my time in the Armed Forces, I worked in the nursing profession for twenty years so I’ve seen everything and I can’t speak highly enough of the staff here – the care was brilliant. The residents are great, we had a lot in common so could talk shop and the physiotherapists here were magic – they taught me to walk and climb stairs. I can even wash myself now - gradually I’m getting back to normal. I will beat it. They ruined my life but I will get it back.” Scott learning to walk in physiotherapy

Having had reconstruction surgery on his skull and a metal plate fitted, Scott was ready to return home and has travelled back to Ireland to live with his mother and continue his rehabilitation. Laura Woodley, Community Fundraiser, said of Scott’s departure:

“Scott was a huge character at QAHH and will be very sorely missed by all the residents and staff, but our primary aim is to return people to independent living, so we’re thrilled for him and so proud of his fantastic achievements. With the determination Scott has shown, he looks certain to take back the life Scott learning new skills in the rehabilitation kitchen he so savagely lost.

It’s imperative we raise £1.3 million each year to keep our doors open should Scott ever need us again, and for future veterans, who may need our help in the years to come.”

The national charity, home to long-term and respite residents, cares for veterans who currently range from 47-102 years old. veterans travel from all over the country to Boundary Road in Worthing, to take advantage of the on-site services provided. Veterans can receive physiotherapy, speech therapy, time in the rehabilitation kitchen, the opportunity to join in social and recreation activities, counselling, occupational therapy, 30 outings each year and first class nursing around the clock.

Contacts For further information call 01903 218444 or visit www.qahh.org.uk

A chance to start again

Coventry Cyrenians supporting homeless veterans

“After a 12-year military career, I found myself living on the streets suffering from mental health issues. I sought help from the NHS mental health service, but found myself going in and out of hospital. Eventually, I turned to drugs and alcohol to help me deal with my demons. “I was made homeless due to my worsening state of mind. I arrived in Coventry and was told about Coventry Cyrenians. With incredible amounts of patience, care and sensitivity the staff addressed my homelessness situation and put me on the road to a positive and sustainable recovery.

The project can accommodate eight veterans In November 2012, charity for the homeless, Coventry Cyrenians, launched a new project to support homeless veterans in Coventry, Warwickshire and Solihull. The eight-bed accommodation based support service is the first of its kind in the area. THE charity set up the new project, following research confirming a large portion of the homeless people in Coventry had served in the forces. The project allows the charity to provide high quality, tailored support to each resident. With the support of an Accredited Counsellor, the project provides veterans with access to trauma-focused

“We also passionately want to raise awareness of the problems facing veterans and show people that they are a valuable part of their local community.” Issue 27 April 2013

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) to help address their issues. It also supports veterans with dual diagnosis of mental health problems and substance misuse, something which sets the charity apart from other similar services. Working with an experienced Project Coordinator, residents are given help to access education, training and volunteering opportunities, and to gain long-term accommodation for the future. The result of this is that individuals rebuild self-confidence, re-establish family relationships and re-engage with their local community. Peter’s Story Peter Bennett came to Cyrenians as a client at Norton House, a support service for rough sleepers with multiple and complex needs. Although fully experienced in dealing with the needs of rough sleepers, Coventry Cyrenians were not equipped to deal with the growing number of self-isolated, homeless veterans in Coventry and Warwickshire. Peter presented the idea of a forces specific service to the Cyrenians staff.

“After careful consideration and research, the staff at Cyrenians and I came up with the idea to open a specific service for homeless veterans. Foremost, the aim of the project is to enable veterans in their recovery and transition into civilian life. The project also aims to reduce the number of veterans living on the streets and to challenge the stigma attached to homelessness. We also passionately want to raise awareness of the problems facing veterans and show people that they are a valuable part of their local community.” Referrals Referrals can be made directly to the service through different agencies or organisations, family members or selfreferral. Clients can stay at the project for up to 12 months. Those who successfully move-on will be offered a six-month resettlement service. Coventry Cyrenians have provided practical help and support to homeless people for the past 40 years.

Contacts For more information on accessing the service, email forces.regroupuk@coventrycyrenians.org or visit www.coventrycyrenians.co.uk

Soaring to new heights Wings for Warriors provides new future for wounded military personnel I momentarily lost consciousness. Soon awakening I discovered the Iraqi interpreter who had been walking beside me had been hit in the head and was dead, lying across my legs. I checked my limbs in a dazed state and saw only a blood stained ring on a tattered shirt where my forearm was before. The blast had torn through my left arm below the elbow, turning it inside out, removing a great deal of the bone, the ulna nerve and artery and shattering what was left. I also had shrapnel in my left shoulder and right buttock and smaller fragments to the head, neck and most of the left side of my body and legs. As I was calling the report into base, Corporal Tweedley my team medic, attended to me and to my amazement showed me a ragged, but still attached arm ’it’s still attached Sir, but nay by much‘. “I underwent incredible rounds of surgery and rehab and ultimately returned to my unit. But the toll was too much for my body to withstand. When I was finally told I was to be medically discharged, I was a broken man and saw no light in the future or direction to follow. All advice was that I was lucky as I had a fresh start and could do anything now, but the only thing I wanted to do was disallowed to me.

Captain Monteith was severely injured while on operations in Iraq

For Captain Steven Monteith (Monty), a career in the military was always the dream. Like so many of our young Service personnel, there was no ‘Plan B’. Here Monty tells us his story, in his words . . . “I joined the Army in 2002, attending The Royal Military Academy Sandhurst and gaining a commission into The Highlanders (Seaforth, Gordons & Camerons), later to become part of The Royal Regiment of Scotland. After a tour

of Bosnia as a young Platoon Commander and subsequent re-rolling to Armoured Infantry, my Battalion deployed to Iraq in October 2005. I requested to stay on as a Platoon Commander for this tour as I saw it as a culmination of what I had trained so hard for and I wanted to see it through with my colleagues. “On 22nd March 2006, acting on false intelligence I deployed on a foot patrol and was targeted by a road side bomb IED. The blast knocked me off my feet and

“During a follow up appointment with my surgeon, he inquired what I was to do with my future. I replied that I didn’t know and that the only other thing that I had ever really wanted to do was fly, but had been told by a military doctor that due to my injuries that wouldn’t be possible. The surgeon told me about Wings For Warriors and what one of their students had already achieved. Wings For Warriors is a unique charity that helps injured Service personnel re-build their lives and train as commercial helicopter pilots. I was advised to visit an RAF doctor for an assessment. He in turn directed me to the Civilian Aviation Authority for a class 1 medical and a few weeks later I was introduced to Wings for Warriors. “Looking back it became more apparent how terrible I had felt, but it wasn’t until I had turned the corner that I realised what pressures I had been suffering from losing my career and life in the Army.

Monty underwent extensive surgery and rehabilitation following his injury

Trained by Wings For Warriors, Monty gained his Private Pilots licence in 2012

“Wings for Warriors has provided direction, purpose and hope for the future.” Mark Radcliffe, founder of Wings for Warriors added:

Currently operating out of Goodwood Aerodrome, Wings for Warriors aims to facilitate the training of injured Service personnel as fully qualified commercial helicopter pilots. Training requires the wounded warriors to challenge themselves holistically and places emphasis on physical, psychological and social development. As well as qualifying as pilots, students re-build their own confidence, abilities and pride. Students should have a full range of upper-body movement and dexterity in their hands. Each applicant will be assessed on an individual basis, subject to passing a Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) medical.

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“The advice I had been given was all pushing me to strive towards compromise and knowing my limits. Wings for Warriors has provided direction, purpose and hope for the future.

“Monty is one of our five current students. His story and his grit and determination is very familiar to us. These young men and women only ever wanted to be in the military, when they survive a life-changing injury, their entire world changes. At Wings we are determined to help them train for a new future, one in which they can be challenged and fulfilled and have a role in society and their community.

“I began training with Wings in July of last year and completed my Private Pilots Licence in September 2012. Since then I have begun training for my Air Transport Pilots Licence, which involves a lot of home study for the exams and continuing to develop my practical skills as a pilot by doing more challenging flying.

“These guys work hard when we manage to secure funding for them and they join the charity as students, both in the class room, at home and in the air. But what they discover is that they have a lot of transferable skills – discipline, focus and the ability to act under pressure.”

“When qualified I will need to do some further hour building to gain experience which will be desirable to future employers.”

For further information call 07760 154074, email info@wings4warriors.org.uk visit www.wingsforwarriors.org.uk

Contacts

Armed Forces support centre opens in the East Midlands [Picture: Corporal Gabriel Moreno, Crown Copyright/MOD 2013]

Grant scheme supporting intiatives in the community

From right, Rick Harrington, Councillor Margaret Handley and Brigadier Harry Nickerson

A new support centre for veterans and their families has opened its doors in Beeston, Nottingham.

“Our aim is to help all ex-forces and their families make an easy transition into civilian life.”

THE ‘Forces in the Community’ centre will provide employment support as well as signposting advice on housing, health and finance for veterans and their families from across the East Midlands, including Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and Leicestershire.

The ribbon-cutting at the launch and official opening of the Forces in the Community centre in Beeston

The launch of the Beeston centre was made possible through the Armed Forces Community Covenant Grant Scheme - the scheme that gives financial support to local projects which strengthen the ties and mutual understanding between members of the Armed Forces community and the wider community in which they live. Support centre founder Rick Harrington said: “Without the grant we would not have been able to open the centre for at least another two years. It has given us a much needed financial springboard. “We can now concentrate on supporting veterans, some of whom left service many years ago; acting as a bridge to help them realise their potential within the local community and to highlight to local employers the undoubted qualities that ex-forces people possess.”

The centre, open five-days-a-week, offers veterans advice and guidance with qualified careers advisers and training as well as links to mentors who are veterans that have successful civilian careers. It also offers signposting to housing support, help with addiction, community legal services and other Service charities. Rick added: “Our aim is to help all ex-forces and their families make an easy transition into civilian life. Many people will manage without our help, but if they need to find out how to get support for housing, health, finding a job etc, then we can assist them.” Broxtowe Borough Council, Broxtowe Borough Partnership, Beeston BID (Business Improvement District) and Voluntary Action Broxtowe signed a community covenant with the Armed Forces in January 2012. Rick said: “This centre had always been my aim, and having the community covenant grant has helped me achieve this a lot quicker than I would have done. I am grateful for all the support I have had from Broxtowe Council and the Army.” The ‘Forces in the Community’ project is one of four applications that have received funding from the Armed Forces Community Covenant Grant Scheme. Funding has also been given to the ‘Life beyond the Wire’ project and a bid for new play equipment at Manor Farm Recreation Ground in Toton, close to Chetwynd Barracks in Chilwell, was also successful. In addition, the Nottinghamshire YMCA has received over £40,000 to engage and train one hundred 11 to 18 year olds from Chetwynd Barracks and the surrounding area in outdoor adventure, digital media and film projects.

Contacts For further information: call 01159 220320, visit www.forces.org.uk or email support@forces.org.uk

Overcoming barriers Support programme provides veterans with access to work

job interview if you have difficulty communicating; and •

A government-funded programme is available to support Service Leavers who have been medically discharged and disabled veterans get back into work. ACCESS TO WORK provides additional support for individuals whose health or disability affects the way they do their job. It provides individuals and their employers with advice and support with extra costs which may arise because of an individual’s needs.

support for those with mental health conditions, through the Mental Health Support Service.

The support the programme offers is personalised and will depend on a person’s needs. Access to Work advisers can offer an assessment of an individual’s workplace to learn more about the support they need and offer a grant on the information and recommendations from the assessment. An Access to Work adviser will support a person through the process and ensure they have all the information they need. The support available from Access to Work could help a veteran:

Access to Work can provide discretionary grants towards:

•

stay in work if they are employed or self employed;

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specialist aids and equipment;

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start work;

•

support Workers;

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get the job they want and get on the career ladder; and

•

support for transport to work;

•

an interpreter or other support at a

start their own business through New Enterprise Allowance.

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This is what some of Access to Work’s customers have said: “I’m very impressed by Access to Work: with the support provided I can continue to have a fulfilling career whilst coping with my disability.” “I’ve been supported by Access to Work through adjustments to my workplace and my vehicle, as well as a support worker and special aids and equipment. Without Access to Work support, my working life would be severely restricted and I wouldn’t be able to do the broad range of duties in my job. “ " Without the help and support of the Access to Work programme, I wouldn’t be able to do my job, it’s as simple as that.”

Contacts Find out more at www.gov.uk/access-to-work, phone 0208 426 3110 to make an application or email atwosu.london@jobcentreplus.gsi.gov.uk

Moving forward

Opening of first retreat signals massive step forward for military charity Newcastle, Scotland, Wales, East Anglia, Birmingham and the South Coast. Denise continued: “The Retreat concept fulfils Afghan Heroes original objective of providing a post services facility to serve returning discharged personnel while also satisfying key financial and geographical requirements. “The objective is to provide up to a dozen based on working hubs which would be utilised by both forces personnel and general public alike.

The Retreat’s bar and restaurant will provide opportunities for the local community to integrate with the service community

Military charity Afghan Heroes took a massive step forward in December with the opening of its first Retreat.

supportive environment enabling former Service personnel to move forward and resume their everyday lives.”

A long term base for troops returning from and adjusting to life after serving on the front line, the first Retreat is located in Ashcott near Glastonbury.

She added:

The Retreat in Ashcott, Somerset will become the template for an ambitious programme aimed at setting up around a dozen similar centres across the UK. Each will have between six and ten beds along with a bar and restaurant allowing the community to integrate with Service personnel. Denise Harris, founder of Afghan Heroes said: “We’re delighted to launch the first Retreat so that we can help those that need the support. “Each Retreat will be self financing in order to ‘future proof’ the care concept and to assist our troops returning from active service for years to come.” Denise, whose son Corporal Lee Scott lost his life in July 2009 while serving with 2 Royal Tank Regiment in Afghanistan, said: “Each Retreat will build a positive and

“We have already been in touch with local colleges about courses, local gym’s and the local swimming pool and we have people that are willing to give their time free to train our Service personnel in website building, graphic design, accountancy, landscape gardening as well as setting up their own businesses.

“Once there they can begin to rebuild their lives alongside comrades who have shared and understand the traumatic experiences which have impacted upon them.” Following the successful launch of the first Retreat, further sites will be rolled out across the country providing a network of small but self-sufficient centres which will provide regional hubs sited away from military garrisons but close enough to draw essential support as required. Planned locations include Blackpool,

The Retreat in Somerset is the first centre to open, more are planned for across the UK

“The objective is to get Retreat residents to identify a preferred new profession. Each Retreat must be able to accept between six and ten ex-Service personnel and one manager/mentor who where possible will also be ex-military.”

Contacts For further information please visit www.afghanheroes.org.uk

The regular feature providing you with updates SPVA News from the Service Personnel and Veterans Agency SPVA re-launches Agency Leaflets SPVA want to make their customers aware of the full range of services that SPVA can provide. To do this SPVA Media and Communications Team are currently revising a number of Agency leaflets. The following leaflets are now available: A Guide to the Veterans Welfare Service - This leaflet provides details of how the Veterans Welfare Service can help exService personnel and veterans following a change in situation that has resulted in a welfare need. A Guide to the Ministry of Defence Medals Office - This leaflet provides information on the services provided by the MOD Medal Office such as the range of medals available, posthumous requests and how to apply. A Guide to the Joint Casualty and Compassionate Centre - the Centre is the focal point within the MOD for all casualty and compassionate cases. This leaflet provides more detailed information about the services provided by the Centre such as commemorative casework and casualty reporting. If you require leaflets for resource purposes, then submit a request via spva-veterans-uk@mod.uk

Issue 27 April 2013

Veterans-UK website 2013 ‘user’ survey results are now in During February 2013, SPVA ran the annual Veterans-UK website user survey. The 18 question survey was designed to obtain feedback and provide ratings against a number of user specific questions. Karen Awere and Sharon Seymour, SPVA Communications who lead on the survey explained: “The Veterans-UK user survey and its evaluation is very important to us. It provides us with valuable insight into what is considered to work well and equally what doesn’t, and assists in us identifying areas for improvement. We would like to thank all those who kindly took the time to complete the survey, and in addition to all those who provided individual comments.” The survey result findings will now be analysed, in particular the free text comments, to see if there are ways in which SPVA can incorporate some of the suggestions for improvement.

Survey Statistics 87% said they got some if not most of what they wanted from the site.

79% of users said they would recommend this website to a friend, colleague or family member.

71% of users said the information was clear and easy to understand.

89% of users said overall they were very satisfied with their visit to the website.

In a new question asked this year 91% of respondents said they would like to have the option to complete certain transactions online.

Who Do You Think You Are? Live 2013 As part of the Who Do You Think You Are? Live 2013 event, SPVA exhibited Second World War and other official medals issued by the Ministry of Defence (MOD). Experts were on hand to answer questions and to take applications for medals not previously claimed. Information was also available on SPVA’s wider work including Government compensation payments for those injured/bereaved by Armed Forces Service, the one-to-one support for veterans provided by the Veterans Welfare Service and information on how to apply for the popular HM Armed Forces Veterans Badge. There was a good deal of interest in the work of the Agency from the thousands of people who attended the event.

Getting digital by default The MOD is one of the first Government departments to move to a new website

By 2014, websites of all Government and many other public bodies will be merged onto the Inside Government section of the website. emphasis on making sure the information is clear and concise. Paola added: "We want to encourage people to get used to using GOV.UK so please visit the site; start looking up areas that you are interested in. While this might sound a cliché, 'practice makes perfect' and we want people to feel confident using the site and finding information that could help them or someone they're helping.

The MOD is one of the departments you can find on the GOV.UK website

MOD is one of the trailblazers making its home on the new GOV.UK website, future home of all Government departments and agencies by April 2014. GOV.UK is bringing all Government departments and Agencies information together in one place. By 2014, all Government and many other public bodies websites will be merged onto the Inside Government section of the website. Over eight departments have already moved over to the website, including the Ministry of Defence, and more are to follow. The development of GOV.UK arose from Martha Lane-Fox’s report ‘Directgov 2010 and Beyond: Revolution Not Evolution’ to Francis Maude, the Minister for the Cabinet Office, which was published in October 2010. The report’s proposal that over time government services and information should be available to the public within a single domain based on agile, shared web services is being made real by the introduction of GOV.UK.

The MOD participated in the early pilot, launched in February 2012. Following on from the pilot, the MOD volunteered as a trailblazer, to migrate its website www.mod.uk to the new Inside Government section of the new GOV.UK, by December 2012. It started working with the Government Digital Service (GDS), the Cabinet Office team responsible for building the GOV.UK platform, in July 2012. Paola Wright, from the MOD Team working on the transfer of information to the new site explains: "We are moving online information from literally thousands of web pages we have. It's no mean feat, but the benefits will far outweigh the amount of time and work we are investing in making GOV.UK a success." Each government department has its own web presence within the site, with a front page detailing their latest announcements, publications etc. There's a consistent design to GOV.UK with the

“Once it comes together, the site will be a huge resource to provide information, news and initiatives from Government. For example, we post new items and online articles about the Armed Forces Community on a daily basis; you can keep informed on what we are doing. Links to specific pages for our three Services can be found on the MOD home page and the Service Personnel and Veterans Agency’s information will be moved over at a later date. ”

Central Government in the UK is made up of nearly 400 organisations, each of which continually publishes information to the web about who they are and what they are doing such as: policy, publications and announcements which are currently spread across hundreds of separate websites. With a few exceptions, all this information will be brought under one roof via the GOV.UK site.

Contacts Information on the MOD can be found at www.gov.uk/mod

Preparations are underway for Armed Forces Day 2013 - see page 5