Veterans World - Issue 23

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Issue 23 April 2012

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MINISTRYOFDEFENCE

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

Helping families rebuild their lives

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Service Personnel & Veterans Agency

HELP AND SUPPORT FROM SERVICE PERSONNEL AND VETERANS AGENCY

Residential Home Homelessness Pensions Helpline

Veterans Welfare ServiceSupport One stop shop

Benefits Advice Money War Pension

Service PersonnelRecognitionRemembrance Joint Casualty and Compassionate CentreIn-Service

Ex-Service Medals Armed Forces Day Widows Armed Forces Compensation Scheme Widowers Veterans World Armed Forces CovenantVeterans

Contact us: Serving Personnel: JPAC Enquiry Centre: 0141 224 3600 Email: JPAC@spva.mod.uk

Veterans: Veterans UK Helpline: 0800 169 2277 You may be offered a call back if lines are busy

Joint Casualty and Compassionate Centre 01452 519951

Email: veterans.help@spva.gsi.gov.uk Website: www.veterans-uk.info

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Contents

April 2012 Issue 23

IN THIS ISSUE 12 There for the families Charity providing additional support for bereaved families

20 Armed Forces Day 2012 Have you started making plans?

24 Package of support Welsh Government sets out commitment to Armed Forces Community

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26 Join our hub Charities and organisations encouraged to sign up with SPVA

Regulars

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4-5 News in Brief 25 SPVA News 26 Noticeboard Front cover: Helping bereaved families rebuild their lives page 12.

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.

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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 For distribution enquiries Email: SPVA-VeteransWorld@mod.uk or call: 01253 338816 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 Š Crown copyright 2012

Issue 23 April 2012

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News in brief Big Step Forward For Veterans Housing Project

Architects’ impressions of building.

The sale of land for new housing for veterans in Glasgow went ahead after months of fundraising and negotiation.

The site at Bellrock Crescent in Cranhill, sold by the City Council to Scottish Veterans Residences (SVR), will be developed into housing with specialised support that will focus on helping ex-Servicemen and women who have recently left the Forces to make a successful transition to civilian life.

Facilities and staff at the development will be concentrated on helping veterans in the west of Scotland

Armed Forces tribute for Queen's Diamond Jubilee In honour of Her Majesty The Queen's 60-year reign Armed Forces personnel will parade through Windsor and muster at the castle on Saturday May 19 2012.

Nearly 2,500 troops from the Royal Navy, the Army and the Royal Air Force will parade through Windsor in the presence of Her Majesty and the Duke of Edinburgh.

They will then muster in the castle grounds for a unique event before an audience of more than 3,000 Armed Forces personnel, their families, and veterans. An impressive, tri-Service flypast of current and historic aircraft will conclude the celebrations.

The custom of the Armed Forces paying tribute to the monarch during a jubilee year is an established tradition. Similar celebrations were held for the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Victoria, the Silver Jubilee of King George V, and the Silver and Golden Jubilees of the present Queen.

The parade in Windsor will be the first time all three Services have visited the Queen for a dedicated event, and will be broadcast by BBC Television. Further details, including information on those marching in the parade and the aircraft taking part in the flypast, will be released in due course.

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overcome issues with health, education and employment to return to stable, fulfilling lives as civilians.

There will be 51 flats in all: 21 will be mainstream one and two bedroom affordable rental flats. The remaining 30 will be in the supported block which is aimed at helping veterans who are experiencing difficulties such as homelessness, mental health or employment problems (usually many of these are combined and related) make a successful transition to civilian life. Five flats will be fully adapted for wheelchair use. The supported unit will have additional facilities such as a

Social housing and the Armed Forces The Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) is consulting on two sets of draft regulations on social housing and the Armed Forces. These will ensure that former Servicemen and women who have urgent housing needs are always given high priority (‘additional preference’) for social housing. This will mean that they will be at or near the top of housing waiting lists; and councils cannot require Service personnel - who move from base to base - to have lived in their area for a certain period of time before they qualify for social housing. The exemption from residency requirements will apply to Serving personnel and those who have retired and are within five years of their leaving the Armed Forces.

At the same time, DCLG has issued draft new statutory guidance to councils on the allocation of social housing which, among other things, sets out the different ways in which provision can be made in councils' allocation schemes for all serving or former members of the Armed Forces to be given appropriate priority for social housing, including through the use of local preference criteria and local lettings policies.

training kitchen/café, IT training room, kitchen garden, gym, classroom, counselling rooms and treatment room. SVR staff will provide intensive housing management to help tenants maintain their tenancy and both they and partner organisations will assist with training, education, employment and health issues. Tenants are expected to stay for a maximum of around 18 months before they are ready to move to mainstream housing and hopefully gainful employment.

SVR hope to start building in Summer 2012 and open around the end of 2013. www.svronline.org

The MOD’s Medical Assessment Programme

Many readers are already aware that the MOD, through the Medical Assessment Programme (MAP) based at St Thomas’ Hospital London, offers mental health assessments to any veteran suffering mental health problems who has served in operations since 1982. Veterans are referred to the MAP via their General Practitioner (GP) and following an assessment a recommendation is made to the GP for treatment. Treatment is provided by the NHS. The MAP is to relocate from St Thomas’ Hospital to facilities at the Reinforcements Training and Mobilisation Centre, Chilwell (Nottinghamshire) in October 2012. Although this move will benefit MOD in reducing running costs, it will also be of benefit to most veterans, as demographic information collated on those attending indicate that the majority are being referred from the Midlands and the North of England.

The current MAP service will continue at St Thomas’ Hospital until the Chilwell move and the current contact details remain unchanged at this time: Head of Medical Assessment Programme The Baird Medical Centre Gassiot House St Thomas' Hospital Lambeth Palace Road London SE1 7EH

The draft regulations and guidance are published on the DCLG website at www.communities.gov.uk/publications/ housing/allocationofaccommodation.

Helpline: 0800 169 5401 Email: Head of Medical Assessment Programme Internet: www.veterans-uk.info/map/faq.html.

The consultation period closes on March 30, 2012.

Veterans WORLD will provide an update in a later issue.

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Puppies in training

New guide for Worcestershire veterans Wychavon District Council (based in Worcestershire) has recently produced a short leaflet to help ex-Service personnel in their transition back to civilian life.

Six Labradors and Golden retrievers have begun an extraordinary journey that will help them transform the lives of disabled Serving and ex-Service people.

owners to help give them more independence as they go about their daily lives.

In February, the first puppy training class was held for the five dogs at Hounds for Heroes – the assistance dog charity set up by Gulf War veteran Allen Parton.

In a poignant gesture, one of the puppies has been named Yomper Ritchie after Royal Marine Richard Hollington who was killed in Afghanistan. All the puppy’s names have military connections, with the other names being Colonel, Juno, Flanders, and Monty.

Over the next two years, the young dogs will be put through a strict regime of training that will allow them to become adept assistance dogs – capable of doing a variety of tasks from collecting the post to flicking a light switch.

Each will cost £20,000 throughout their lifetime to cover the cost of food, training and insurance.

Much in the vein of Endal, Mr Parton’s assistance dog for 15 years, the dogs will eventually be handed over to their new

Anyone interested in helping to care for a Labrador can call (01730) 823118 or email info@houndsforheroes.com.

The guide called Welcome to Civvy Street signposts ex-Service personnel to various different services provided by the council and other agencies. It focuses on housing, benefits, employment, business start up, health, volunteering, financial support and leisure.

Tracy Grubb, Community Development Officer said: "We produced the guide to help ex-Service personnel when they return back to civilian life. The guide provides a lot of information, but also signposts to our website where we have pulled together a lot more information with contact details and web addresses for many other agencies. The guide has proved popular so far and we will continue to make it available."

A copy of the guide along with the web pages are available at www.wychavon.gov.uk and search for exService.

Mental health partnership for veterans in Colchester A groundbreaking partnership has been formed at Colchester Garrison between the military, the NHS and the Combat Stress charity to meet the needs of veterans with mental health problems. (left to right) 'Juno' with Sylvia and Brian Batchelor, 'Yomper' with Roma Field, 'Colonel' with Jane Chamberlain, 'Flanders' with Joan Penny, and 'Monty' with Stella Harris with front Allen Parton and his dog 'E.J'

Veterans Mental Health Conference September 28 - York University This September, York will see a unique gathering of veterans’ mental health services ranging from the MOD, NHS, Combat Stress, to Kings College London and the criminal justice system to talk about the best practice models of care for veterans with mental health issues; taking them from the battlefield through to civilian life. Veterans’ mental health issues do not just affect the veteran, but have an impact on their family and community.

The conference will start with an address by Simon Weston OBE, a Falklands veteran and international speaker, followed by information about the current mental health service provision for serving members of the Armed Forces, and the dedicated veterans’ services available to them after they leave the military, ranging from the NHS to Combat Stress, to

Issue 23 April 2012

the criminal justice system and the Veterans Network. In addition, information will be given about the neurobiology of trauma and its effects on people.

The overall aim of the day is to inform, disseminate and foster greater understanding and collaboration between organisations to help encourage the application of best practice interventions for this community of over ten million people.

All profits made from the event will be donated to various veterans’ charities.

For more information email Matthew Cole, conference organiser, at mattcolecbt@talktalk.net

Colchester Garrison's Department of Community Mental Health (DCMH), North Essex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust and Combat Stress have come together to form the North Essex Veterans Mental Health Network, the first of its kind in the country.

The network is the idea of Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) Mike Srinivasan, consultant psychiatrist at DCMH Colchester, and grew out of work by DCMH staff to help a veteran who was leaving the Army but needed continuing mental healthcare.

The three partners came together with the help of Enable East, an NHS team with specialist skills and expertise that supports the delivery of public sector projects. A bid to the Department of Health secured £130,000 funding from a budget set up to improve services following the 2010 report into military mental healthcare by Dr Andrew Murrison MP. http://nevmhn.org.uk/about-us/

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Building on the Covenant Making progress on the commitments of the Armed Forces Covenant

Since the Armed Forces Covenant was published nearly a year ago, the Government and its partner charities and voluntary organisations have been very busy. A number of commitments have been delivered, the Community Covenant was introduced (with a £30 million grant scheme to support it) and an interim annual report on progress has also been produced.

THE principle behind the Covenant is that the Armed Forces Community should not face disadvantage because of its military experience. In some cases, such as the sick, injured or bereaved, this means giving special consideration to enable access to public or commercial services that civilians would not receive. The Covenant covers issues from housing and education to support after Service and, in it, veterans have great importance. It is

Veterans are advised to tell Service Providers (e.g. Local Authority or GP) that they are a Veteran so they can access these benefits.

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crucial to the Government that it, and the nation, recognises the unique and immense sacrifices that they have made for our country.

The Prime Minister emphasised this himself during his Christmas visit to Afghanistan when he announced a new Ministerial Committee to make sure that, at the highest level across Government, departments are sticking to the promises made in the Covenant.

“The principle behind the Covenant is that the Armed Forces Community should not face disadvantage because of its military experience.”

At the same time as driving the Armed Forces Covenant at a national level, the Community Covenant has been rolled out, with the aim of bringing together Armed Forces and civilian communities locally.

The first five local authorities to sign up were: Oxfordshire, Hampshire, North Yorkshire, Portsmouth and the Vale of

Glamorgan. Now, there are more than 30 Community Covenants signed around the UK and many more in the pipeline.

Many of the actions arising out of Community Covenants focus on the needs of Veterans – ask your local council for more information about what is on offer for you.

To support this community engagement drive, more than £2 million has been given out through the Community Covenant Grant Scheme to projects like the Swan Forces, which helps prevent social exclusion among ex-Service personnel and their families in Wiltshire. In total, up to £30 million is available across the next three financial years to support local projects. Anyone can apply for funding (through their local Community Covenant Partnership) and it’s easy to do – check out the website for more information on the types of projects that are eligible and start turning those good ideas into tangible realities.

The Armed Forces Covenant is a process, not an event and the extensive list of commitments won’t be ticked off overnight. Sadly, the Armed Forces cannot

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be shielded from the current economic situation. But, it’s hoped it can be seen from the progress reported, that the Covenant is a top priority for the Ministry of Defence, the Government more widely, and ultimately the Prime Minister.

Commitments already delivered include: •

Priority medical treatment for Veterans where their illness is a result of Service;

“Now, there are more than 30 Community Covenants signed around the UK and many more in the pipeline.”

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Seamless transfer onto benefits on leaving the Armed Forces - now the Department for Work and Pensions will accept Service Medical Board evidence in lieu of face-to-face medical assessment to confirm entitlement to Incapacity Benefit;

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Contacts The interim report can be viewed at www.mod.uk/covenant where a full list of what has been delivered can be found.

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Education and training for Service leavers; including funding to cover tuition fee expenses for an additional qualification, up to and including degree level courses; Affordable Housing Schemes: Priority access for seriously injured

personnel; Extended access for Service leavers allowing them to apply for the schemes for up to 12 months after leaving; Disregard of any AFCS/War Pension Scheme payments when applying for schemes, or when applying for social housing through the Disabled Facilities Grant; •

A raft of mental health initiatives such as better training for GPs, Veterans mental health community practitioners and the Big White Wall website; and;

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Injured Service leavers will be provided with the same high standard of prosthetic limbs by the NHS that are currently used by the MOD.

Helping disadvantaged children of seafarers Sailors’ Children’s Society

Sailors’ Children’s Society was formed in 1821 and provides support to over 400 disadvantaged children of seafarers (such as ex-Royal Navy families) including 28 students in higher education. The aim is to give each disadvantaged child the opportunity to achieve his/her full potential by providing financial, practical and emotional support.

bereavement, diagnosis of a terminal illness or the break-up of an abusive relationship.

Families are supported on average for five years before returning to being selfsufficient; however in some cases we support the family until the youngest child leaves full time education.”

The Society provides support in many ways including: •

Child Welfare Grants - these allow children to participate in childhood activities such as Brownies, Cubs, music and sports lessons. In the current economic climate however, these grants are often used to provide balanced meals and heating in the home.

DEANNE THOMAS, Chief Officer of the Society, explained:

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“The families we help are predominantly single parent and usually come to us following a traumatic event such as

Clothing Grants – to provide a new school uniform and essential winter clothing each year.

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Caravan Holidays – each family is offered the opportunity of a holiday for a week away from the stresses and strains of daily life. The Sailors’ Children’s Society owns seven caravans around the United Kingdom based on Haven Holiday sites; it also provides free activity passes to ensure the children can take part in swimming, etc.

One of the families supported by the charity

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The staff provide a sympathetic ear and have relationships with other specialist

The Sailors’ Children’s Society Team

organisations, if families need additional help. The Society also has a Family Support Officer who can provide face to face emotional support to families in their own homes.

“Families are supported on average for five years before returning to being self-sufficient”

Editor’s Note: The Society was originally called Sailors’ Families’ Society and changed its name in 2011.

Contacts For further information call 01482 342331, email info@sailorschildren.org.uk or visit www.sailorschildren.org.uk or find them on Facebook – Sailors Childrens Society.

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New welfare breaks for the whole RAF family Paul Hughesdon, Director of Welfare and Policy for the RAF Benevolent Fund said: “There are over 800,000 people living with dementia in the UK today, and good respite dementia care is hard to find wherever you live. As the RAF’s leading welfare charity we are determined to provide as much relief as we can for those suffering from this growing issue, and to help hard pressed carers where we can.

Over the last two years we’ve spent over £30,000 on helping those seeking dementia care.

The new wing provides ten beds, a lounge and a dining/craft area for dementia care, and will be accessible to anyone in the RAF family in need of specialised support.

Sir Rob Wright, RAFBF Controller, said:

Lady Margaret Wright, Sir Robert Wright and Air Marshal Andy Pulford in the Airfix Room at Shencot House

Two brand new welfare break facilities for RAF personnel past and present have opened on the south coast, thanks to the Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund (RAFBF), the RAF’s leading welfare charity.

SHENCOT HOUSE is a newly refurbished home which provides a place for RAF families in need of an affordable break.

Offering modern facilities and easy access to West Sussex attractions like Arundel Castle and Brighton’s vibrant arts scene, the house has been built to accommodate soaring demand for the RAFBF’s existing short break cottage, Seacot House.

“. . . we are building for the future, providing targeted care where it is most needed . . .”

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The priority for bookings goes to families of serving personnel, but former personnel are also eligible for stays.

Sir Robert Wright, Controller of the RAF Benevolent Fund said: “These are challenging times for the Air Force, and we have seen a large increase in demand for the welfare breaks we offer. I’m glad to say that with Shencot House we should be able to do much more. With Princess Marina House just across the road, visitors will enjoy invaluable time away with loved ones in a beautiful part of the world, with easy access to the comradeship of their RAF peers.”

“Both these new facilities illustrate how we are doing all we can to help RAF families meet these challenging times with confidence. With both Shencot house and the Beachside Wing we are building for the future, providing targeted care where it is most needed – a task essential to our role at the heart of the RAF family.”

“. . . we have seen a large increase in demand for the welfare breaks we offer.”

The Beachside Wing at Princess Marina House Princess Marina House is the RAF Benevolent Fund’s flagship welfare break home, which is now offering a new service for retired members of the RAF family. The new “Beachside” Wing provides specialised facilities for RAF veterans suffering from mild cognitive impairment and early dementia, and gives their carers an affordable and much-needed break by the sea.

The view from the balcony at the Beachside Wing

Contacts For more information on Shencot House and Princess Marina House, call 0800 169 2924 or visit www.rafbf.org

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Successful – sustainable - transition New Trust provides essential support for the transition to civilian life Building upon a proud tradition of support for UK veterans, the Big Lottery Fund (BIG) launched the £35 million Forces in Mind Trust.

THE Trust will offer essential assistance for Servicemen and women, veterans and their families to help them make a smooth transition back into civilian life.

The Trust was launched on January 8 in partnership with The Foundation of Prince William and Prince Harry. The Foundation will back the Trust with its own grants over a three-year programme as well as helping raise awareness of the issues facing veterans.

With some 18,000 Servicemen and women leaving the Forces each year, the Trust will seek to address a range of problems that some Service personnel, veterans and their families can experience back in civilian life, such as mental health issues, family breakdown and alcohol-related problems.

Early Service Leaver interview for Future Horizons project

Initially, the Trust will set up a comprehensive review of the transition process from Service in the Armed Forces back to civilian life. The findings of this review will be used to develop and support projects either directly or in partnership with other charities and organisations. It will also undertake awareness raising campaigns, and provide peer advice and support, particularly to those Service men and women, veterans and their families who are most vulnerable.

Providing a lifeline for Early Service Leavers, a particularly vulnerable group leaving the Forces with less than four years service, the Trust has already supported the Future Horizons Project, at Catterick Garrison, one of its first pilot initiatives.

The pilot will provide 12 months of focused support and guidance on issues around employment, accommodation, educational needs, and mental health problems for approximately 1,000 Early Service Leavers, who will return back to locations across the UK. The initiative involves twenty-six different charities and return-to-work organisations.

Peter Ainsworth, Big Lottery Fund UK Chair said:

Soldiers in training

Issue 23 April 2012

“I am delighted that The Foundation of Prince William and Prince Harry will be working in partnership with the Forces in Mind Trust as its vital work to support former Forces and their families move into action. By investing this £35 million, the Big(from Lottery helpand to Chris improve the the l to Fund r) Billy,will Charlie handing lives of ex-Service ‘key’people to Markdirectly Lovatt as well as

inform national policy and practice more widely.”

“Our intention is to give those leaving the Armed Services, and their families, the best opportunity for a successful return to civilian life so that they can fully participate in society. “ The Chairman of the Forces in Mind Trust, Air Vice-Marshal Tony Stables said: “Our intention is to give those leaving the Armed Services, and their families, the best opportunity for a successful return to civilian life so that they can fully participate in society.

“The aim is to ensure that we are able to provide the evidence needed to deliver projects, either directly or in partnership with other charities and organisations, so that those undergoing transition have a positive outcome.”

Contacts For further information visit http://www.cobseo.org.uk/ forces-in-mind/

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Introducing . . . Blind Veterans UK Established Service charity starts 2012 with a rebrand and new awareness campaign More that 50,000 people have been identified that could benefit from the charity’s support, how did you find this out?

It’s based on evidence we see when we are out in the community and it’s also based on a recent Royal British Legion study which looked at the veterans’ population in the UK. We work very closely with the Royal National Institute for the Blind (RNIB) and it has been found that instances of age-related sight loss such as Macular Degeneration and glaucoma is quite prevalent in people in their seventies and eighties. What the Legion study did was identify National service veterans entering their eighties and this obviously is where instances of age-related sight loss are the greatest.

To mark the rebrand, the Royal Marines abseiled down the front of the charity’s centre in Brighton

Founded in 1915, the St Dunstan’s charity has been providing support to blind veterans and their families. In February this year, the charity announced it was rebranding to Blind Veterans UK and launched their new ‘No one alone’ awareness campaign.

to. It’s been increasingly evident, that while St Dunstan's is a historic and wellknown brand in the past, it isn't attracting new beneficiaries. We also wanted to raise new funds from a younger audience. But the most important reason is to reach out and help more people.

Veterans WORLD spoke to Andrew Jones, Director of Fundraising and Communications at Blind Veterans UK to find out more . . .

“The change, has really been driven by the large number of visually impaired and blind people out there, that we want to reach out to.“

I know our readers will be interested to know about the rebrand but before we start with the questions, tell me something about yourself and your role at the charity.

As well as your centres in Brighton, Llandudno and Sheffield, you also provide support in the community. Tell us a bit about how the charity does this.

I'm a director of Fundraising and Communications at Blind Veterans UK. Prior to working here I’ve worked for The Royal British Legion and in the dim and distinct past, I served in the TA as a gunner in the 1980s.

We have Regional welfare officers, providing support to our members across the UK. We can visit people in their homes and have close contact with them in their communities. Our Welfare Officers talk to them and assess their needs - possibly training and developing their skills. We also take them to our Centres of Excellence for either training, respite care or an induction week which helps us to assess their needs. Social inclusion is important to, so it could be something a simple as taking a veteran to a club where they can meet old comrades.

Now let’s talk about the rebrand . .. the charity has been around since 1915, why the change now?

The change has really been driven by the large number of visually impaired and blind people out there, that we want to reach out

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The number of 50,000 was based on 2010 figures and the projections are that this will continue to rise until 2020. Thereafter, the numbers do decline, but this decade will be when we have our biggest job to do.

Right, so busy times ahead then?

Yes and that’s one of the reasons we opened the Llandudno centre after three years of planning, after seeing the demographic wave coming. [Veterans WORLD reported on the launch of the Centre in our last issue].

We needed to have the infrastructure in place and the changing of the brand was an incentive for us to get out there, get ourselves better known and make people aware of us. It’s really part of a long term strategy along with the new centre and new brand.

I understand that the charity supports veterans of all ages, can you explain how the needs of younger veterans can differ from older veterans and how the charity is supporting them.

The majority of our younger veterans, and we are talking about people in their early twenties, that have been injured in recent conflicts have multiple injuries from gunfire and explosions. These are younger veterans, who were serving soldiers at the beginning of their lives and are now

“This decade will be when we have our biggest job to do.”

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potentially leaving the military. They need to have a career, so that requires training, so we look at training courses for them, either; supporting them in the educational sector or running courses ourselves. We also link with other charities; working together to support them.

They want to have housing in the community, get married, have children . . . all the things that young people want to do.

Their life experience and journey is going to be completely different to someone joining us in their seventies or eighties, who've had children . . . are a grandparent . . . have their own house and established community support. So, they are at two ends of the spectrum, at different life stages. We now have the younger members, formerly known as St Dunstaners and we are going to be providing them with life long support , at least another 60 years hopefully, so it’s a different relationship we'll have with them compared to older veterans.

You mentioned St Dunstaners earlier which was the widely-recognised name for St Dunstan’s veterans. How did the existing St Dunstaners, which you've been supporting for years, feel about the change?

We could not have completed the rebranding work without the involvement

of beneficiaries, employees, volunteers and supporters. They have all been consulted every step of the way and feedback about the rebrand has been very encouraging.

For some of our beneficiaries there was an emotional attachment to the name, some have been with us since the Second World War, so we've been a big part of their lives for years and naturally it wasn't an easy decision to change the name.

We needed to make the case about reaching out to the younger generations, it was a ‘head and heart’s debate, most of our members are for the change, a few are not, but they understand the reasons and need for the change and have wished us good luck.

Now the rebrand was launched in February alongside a new campaign – the ‘No one alone’ campaign. Can you tell us a bit about the campaign?

Yes, in one way the rebrand was about the organisation itself and how we present ourself. The ‘No One Alone’ campaign is what we want others to do for us. Because we know that there are many veterans with severe vision impairment out there, and we need help reaching out to them, encouraging them to get in contact with us and providing them with help and support so that they don’t have to battle blindness alone.

The campaign is really asking people, whether they know someone - a family member or someone in the community, a member of an ex-Service club - who is losing their sight to get in touch. We can look at what we can do to help and put them in touch with other veterans in similar circumstances within their community.

With the Veterans WORLD advisor audience, the magazine has an ideal audience to send this message out to.

Yes absolutely, and we are also working with charities and health care professionals in the vision impairment field to try and ensure that people are being referred to us.

We want veterans to be aware of us and that we are here to help them, so please pass that message on.

So there you have it, new changes and challenges face this established charity and Veterans WORLD encourages its readers to consider whether they can be involved in the campaign.

Contacts For further information on the charity and the ‘No One Alone’ campaign, visit www.blindveterans.org.uk or call 020 7723 5021.

Service Personnel & Veterans Agency

Armed Forces Compensation Scheme Injured due to service on or after 6 April 2005?

You may be entitled to compensation from the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme.

Call the free Helpline to find out more.

0800 169 2277 (UK only) +44 1253 866 043 (overseas)

www.mod.uk/afcs

www.veterans-uk.info

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Families of The Fallen Helping bereaved families rebuild their lives

“. . . will greatly assist families and partners trying to rebuild their lives without the main bread-winner.”

“Applications can cover the unusual, the unexpected, and requests which do not always qualify under the criteria set by the Ministry of Defence or the grant-giving rules of the various Services charities, but which will greatly assist families and partners trying to rebuild their lives without the main bread-winner. We especially want to look at what we can contribute in the funding of child care, housing, bereavement counselling and children’s holidays.

Having been flown in from New Zealand, the family of fallen soldier John Howard were able to receive the Elizabeth Cross from The Prince of Wales in recognition of their great loss.

Families of the Fallen Chairman Martyn Lewis explains how a charity he co-founded provides unique financial support to bereaved Service families.

“An intensive driving course for a sergeant’s widow so she could drive the family car; a new wooden bench so a

Wendy John received money for driving lessons so she could drive the family car.

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“We believe that the duty of care to the families of those who give their lives in the service of our country lies not just with government but with all of us as individuals.” mother could sit within sight of her son’s grave; air tickets from New Zealand for a family to receive the Elizabeth Cross from the Prince of Wales in recognition of their loss; a grant to help a widow unravel a complicated burden of debts; a school uniform, books and sports gear for the child of a soldier killed in action – all made possible by Families of the Fallen, a new charity set up to concentrate on delivering much needed extra financial help to the families of members of the Armed Forces killed in the Afghanistan and Iraq conflicts.

Martyn Lewis CBE, Chairman and Co-Founder of Families of The Fallen

“All applications MUST be referred to the Families of The Fallen by an existing military charity or organisation that can endorse the extra need. This means that our grants can often be approved and paid in as little as 48 hours. Families of The Fallen is already working closely with individual regimental charities as well as SSAFA Forces Help, ABF The Soldiers’ Charity and The Royal British Legion. We believe that the duty of care to the families of those who give their lives in the service of our country lies not just with government but with all of us as individuals - and this applies whether you believe in the war being fought or not.

Please join us in this great cause.”

Contacts For further information, visit www.familiesofthefallen.org.uk

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War Widows called upon to re-claim their pensions

War Widows taking part in a remembrance event.

The Service Personnel and Veterans Agency (SPVA) is calling for those bereaved through service to claim their entitlements under the War Pension scheme, including those who received payments in the past but who subsequently remarried and lost their War Widows pension.

Who is entitled

receipt of a War Disablement Pension or gratuity.

“Through regular meetings with regional groups members find friendship and support . . .”

Claiming a ‘Restored Widows Pension’

A War Widows or Widowers Pension can be paid where a late spouse’s or civil partner’s death was a result of service before April 6 2005. The scope for the scheme is broad with eligible service including HM Armed Forces; • •

•

as a civil defence volunteer or a civilian during the 1939 to 1945 war; as a merchant seaman, a member of the naval auxiliary services, or a coastguard where their death was a result of an injury or disease they got during a war or because they were a prisoner of war; or as a member of the Polish Forces under British command during the Second World war, or in the Polish Resettlement Forces.

Claims can still be made today for the first time and it is not necessary for the late spouse or civil partner to have been in

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Prior to April 6 2005, a War Widow could not keep her pension if she married again or began to live with a partner. Such a new relationship meant their War Widows pension would be stopped and this is still the case for some widows.

However, a War Widow or Widower whose pension had ceased upon remarriage, forming a civil partnership or living with a partner, can reclaim their War Widow or Widowers pension if that relationship subsequently ends. This is called a ‘restored War Widows Pension’ and can be claimed where a marriage or civil partnership ends due to death, dissolution or annulment. It can also be claimed where a judicial separation or a separation order is granted, or livingtogether ceases.

Pensions are restored to the same level as the widow or widower originally received.

And in a little known fact, a pension can be restored more than once depending on the circumstances.

Help and advice Further information on restored War Widow(er)’s pensions can be obtained from the Veterans-UK helpline on 0800 169 2277. Help can also be obtained from the War Widows Association of Great Britain (WWA of GB), the charity that supports those who have lost a spouse as a result of Armed Forces Service.

Ros Campbell, Chairman of the WWA of GB said: “The War Widow’s Association welcomes as members all those in receipt of a War Widows/Widowers pension no matter how or when their spouse died. The Association continues to campaign for improvements to the conditions for War Widows and their dependants Through regular meetings with regional groups members find friendship and support and an opportunity to take part in remembrance events.”

Contacts Visit www.warwidows.org.uk for more information or call 0845 2412189.

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Creating a better deal The review of prosthetics care for disabled veterans continues published last October. In response to his key recommendation, the Department of Health is going to introduce national specialist prosthetic and rehabilitation centres for amputee veterans across the country. Investment has been significant, with the Prime Minister pledging up to £15 million to support the recommendations.

“. . . this won’t be a case of Government working in isolation.”

It’s about partnership

“. . . an enormous challenge for the NHS and other services.”

Although the onus is now on the Department of Health, this won’t be a case of Government working in isolation.

The Department is working together with Service charities – including Help for Heroes and BLESMA – as well as specialists within the NHS, to ensure that high-quality facilities are made available to our military heroes. Progress is already being made, with working groups of representatives from each of the organisations, meeting on a regular basis to find the best way of making these centres both a reality and a success.

National specialist prosthetic and rehabilitiation centres for amputee veterans will be introduced across the country Dr. Andrew Murrison has been a busy man recently. It doesn’t seem like that long since he published his ‘Fighting Fit’ report into the mental health and well-being of veterans. Now he’s back in the spotlight again with ‘A Better Deal for Military Amputees’ – a review of prosthetics services for veterans who have lost a limb while serving their country.

THE Government asked Dr. Murrison to lead the review back in January 2011. As both the toll and severity of injuries for personnel coming out of Afghanistan has increased in recent years, there has been a mounting concern by Service charities and some Serving personnel who have been seriously injured - that the NHS may not be equipped to provide prosthetic services to the same standard as the

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Defence Medical Service at Headley Court.

There is also a more immediate need to be met for those who are currently going through the medical discharge process – and there are plans being put into place to ensure that they are looked after as they undoubtedly deserve to be.

Walking round Headley Court today, and encountering the young men (and women) who have survived the loss of two, and even three, limbs, it is easy to see where this concern stems from.

Although the positivity and energy of these individuals is staggering – and they are receiving the very best possible care in the initial phase – it’s what happens once they leave the Forces that’s more uncertain. The injuries they have sustained are often such; that they will require care for the rest of their lives – and this creates an enormous challenge for the NHS and other services.

For the longer term, it is vital that the skills and knowledge gained in these areas can be applied across the wider limbless population in the NHS – and for the benefit of all.

It’s against this tough backdrop that Dr. Murrison’s Prosthetics Report was

Veterans WORLD will keep you updated on progress . . .

Eligibility – the intention is that all veterans, with injuries caused by Service and requiring prosthetics care, will be eligible to use the Service, subject to clinical need

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British Lung Foundation grants for veterans and healthcare professionals announced

Copyright Icon Photo Media

Towards the end of 2011, The British Lung Foundation (BLF) announced the availability of the 'Burrow Hill Training Fund'.

Under this scheme, funding will be available each year to support vocational training, healthcare professional training and medical research related to ex-Service personnel and their dependents who are suffering from any disease of the chest.

Dr Koralia Paschalaki, who conducted BLF-funded respiratory research.

IAN Jarrold BLF Head of Research explained: “Our grants provide support both to individuals suffering from chest diseases or people who are researching ways to cure or improve the quality of life for them.

“For the first year of the awards, we’ve received an application each for the vocation training awards and the Healthcare Professional Training awards, and four applications for the Healthcare Professional Awards to consider. We’ll be making our awarding decisions by the end of April“ Three grant types are offered:

“Our grants provide support both to individuals suffering from chest diseases or people who are researching ways to cure or improve the quality of life for them . . .”

Vocational Training Grants to provide assistance with vocational training for ex-Service Personnel and their dependents who are suffering from any disease of the chest or related illnesses. This could cover any type of vocational training. The applications can include costs of course fees and registration, travel costs, books/materials. etc.

Amount per award: Up to £1,000 Healthcare Professional Training Grants to assist in advancing the education of persons training to be healthcare professionals specializing in the treatment of chest diseases with a preference for those working with or intending to work with serving or ex-Service personnel. This might include training such as specialist

Issue 23 April 2012

nursing qualifications etc.

Amount per award: £2,000 Research Grants Grants to fund medical research into the causes and treatment of chest diseases, in particular amongst members or ex-Service personnel.

Amount per award: £50k per Grant The first round for applications for the scheme has now closed, but BLF are hoping to offer a second round of applications in early 2013. Ian Jarrold added: "I would certainly encourage veterans to apply for this important source of funding in future."

Ian Jarrold BLF Head of Research

The BLF is a charity founded in 1984 to relieve suffering from all diseases of the chest and lungs. It aims to provide information to the public on lung conditions and all aspects of lung health, to provide support to those living with a lung condition and to promote medical research in the UK into the prevention, treatment, alleviation and cure of chest and lung disease. To date, it has funded over 350 research grants totalling £21 million.

Contacts For further information and to make an application, please see the following page on the BLF website: http://bit.ly/blffundinggrants

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Surf’s up

Surfing challenge in Cornwall for injured Service personnel and veterans

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Riding the waves The Not Forgotten Association, the triService charity which provides entertainment and recreation for the serving wounded and the ex-Service community with disabilities, enabled a group of injured Service personnel and veterans to surf the waves in Cornwall.

FOR most of the group; injured serving Royal Marines and Rangers from the Royal Irish Regiment and members of Combat Stress and BLESMA, this was their first experience of The Not Forgotten Association and the trip proved to be a great success. They all returned home happy, invigorated and feeling that they had personally achieved something they never thought possible.

Surfing tuition was provided by instructors from Surf Action, a local charity which supports veterans and their families, and by the end of the week all the participants - including amputees had mastered the art of riding the waves.

One of the injured soldiers said: “I was a bit hesitant about surfing, but I needn’t have worried. It was the most incredible week in which I achieved things I didn’t think possible. I shall certainly spread the word about the Not Forgotten.”

Rosie Thompson, the Association’s Events Director who led the group, added: “The week in St Ives was a tremendous success and will long be remembered. We stayed as a group, ate good food, enjoyed

Issue 23 April 2012

a glass or two of wine and spent hours chatting and relaxing. Surf Action, who provided the tuition, were first class, never risking our safety and always on hand with tips and advice and lots of patience – and they were brilliant fun. It was a wonderful week which did everyone the world of good.”

The aims of the Association have remained much the same since it was founded in 1920 – to provide leisure and recreation for the benefit of Serving and ex-Service personnel who are wounded, injured or sick. The surfing week is a recent addition to the activities it offers eligible beneficiaries as the Association’s Chief Executive, Colonel Piers Storie-Pugh, explained:

“This type of activity holiday provides both comradeship and a physical challenge for our younger beneficiaries.

Through our broad and unique programme of events we aim to remain relevant and appealing to all our Servicemen and women, both those who have served in recent conflicts and veterans of previous wars.”

Contacts For more information: call 020 7730 2400 or visit www.nfassociation.org.

For more information on Surf Action visit http://www.surfaction.co.uk/

“This type of activity holiday provides both comradeship and a physical challenge for our younger beneficiaries.”

Achieving the impossible

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Building on the success of previous years, Families' Activity Breaks (FAB) are returning in the summer of 2012 to offer bereaved military families fun and challenging activity-based holidays.

The holidays are designed for families with children up to 19 years of age who have suffered the loss of a loved one serving in the Armed Forces.

THE holidays offer an adventure for all the family and a welcome break to meet and socialise with others who have experienced a similar loss. A loved one can mean a parent, a step-parent, or a child's legal guardian, carer or sibling.

FAB is a non-public-funded, tri-Service initiative run in partnership with the Youth Hostel Association. The cost to each family is only £50 and includes full board, meals and a full range of professionallyrun activities.

As in previous years, the camps will take place at Youth Hostel properties in Coverack in Cornwall and Whitby in North Yorkshire.

The FAB camps kick off on July 21 2012 for three weeks at Coverack. The whole of the hostel will be taken over by FAB and

“I have found out how long it takes to grieve and that you don't have to rush things.”

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Crown Copyright/MOD

FAB camps return to help bereaved military families

Children at the Ability Outdoors centre in Dalby Forest taking part in confidence and team-building activities [MOD Copyright]

spaces are available to stay inside, or outside, if you fancy some camping.

Tents are provided and are to an excellent standard - and no need to put any of them up either. New for 2012 is the introduction of a camp week at Coverack dedicated to families with children under eight years of age, beginning on July 28 2012. The third camp in Cornwall begins on August 4 2012.

From July 28 2012, the Whitby FAB camp team take over the hostel located right beside Whitby Abbey. There are no camping facilities here, but there is more than enough indoors accommodation for families wishing to sample the delights of North Yorkshire.

Speaking at last year's camp in Whitby, Caroline Spencer, whose husband, Petty Officer Andrew Spencer was killed in a motorcycle accident, said: "It has just been so fantastic. We arrived on Saturday and the kids started playing football together straight away after dinner. Then there was canoeing the next day, with canoes tied together - so the FAB was originally conceived in early 2008 and the highly successful pilot in the summer of 2009 saw 24 families holidaying in the two locations. In 2010 the number of families increased to 50 and, in 2011, 55 families benefited from a FAB camp.

teamwork element came out straight away.

"It is things you often wouldn't tackle on your own. It has done a lot for their confidence and for the little girls in particular who have missed the male influence, as there are a lot of male volunteers here and the little girls have clung onto them. "[My children] felt so far outside normality, and when I introduced the idea of the holiday they asked 'so there will be people in the same situation as us who have lost mums and dads?' They were really excited by the idea.

"I have found time to relax and share experiences with people. I have found out how long it takes to grieve and that you don't have to rush things.

"The whole place has been fantastic. The kids have already asked if they can come back next year."

Contacts The FAB team hopes to offer places for 60 families this year - for more information on how to apply, volunteer or donate, visit http://www.fabcamps.org.uk/getinvolved.

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Network of local veterans support groups A regional network of support groups is available to help military veterans access local services.

Case studies How the VAPC’s have been supporting their communities

Crown Copyright/MOD

The committees provide a varied range of support that can be a simple as establishing eligibility to a Service Pension to pro-active support for the Armed Forces Community Covenant.

Here are a few examples of that support in action . . .

Eligibility

A soldier talks with a member of a Service charity at an Army event to help Service personnel in preparing for the transition back to civilian life Thirteen groups across the UK, staffed by former Service personnel, can give advice to veterans about the range of services available to them. This could be anything from helping a veteran get specialist medical care to assistance for a widow to claim a pension.

THE groups, called Veterans Advisory and Pensions Committees (VAPCs), support the Government's pledge to enshrine the Armed Forces Covenant in law and ensure Service personnel and veterans are not disadvantaged.

After a successful one-year pilot scheme, the VAPCs will now be permanently established. They will help deliver better services to ex-Service personnel by providing advice to veterans, health authorities, local government and charities on issues affecting veterans at a local level.

Each VAPC is made up of a chairman and between 12 and 20 unpaid volunteer members, drawn from the local ex-Service community. The committees aim to: •

• •

•

give a regional focus providing advice, assistance and support to the Service and ex-Service 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.

Stephen Coltman OBE, Chairman of the South West VAPC, served in the Army for 36 years.

Having worked for the British Limbless Ex-Service Men's Association (BLESMA) for seven years, he volunteered to join the Eastern War Pensions Committee, then transferred to the South West and became Chairman of the VAPC in 2010, to continue helping ex-Servicemen and women, and their families.

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Mr Coltman said: "With my background in the Army's Welfare field and working for BLESMA I have a lot of experience in helping those that are seriously wounded. I know that life outside the Services can be difficult for some as they make that adjustment, so I felt I and my Committee could help.

"The South West VAPC has extensive relations with the Armed Forces in the South West, the major local authorities and NHS Trusts, along with the Department for Work and Pensions' Pension Service and Department of Employment Job Centre Forces Champions."

The VAPCs have worked closely with the Service Personnel and Veterans Agency (SPVA), the MOD organisation that delivers HR services, pensions and welfare to members of the Armed Forces and veterans.

The VAPCs have independently monitored the service the SPVA provides by accompanying welfare managers in visits to clients and acting as an independent complaints panel.

Jon Parkin, Head of Veterans Services at SPVA, said: "Having worked closely with the VAPCs over the last year, I am delighted that they have been given the green light as they will be a major driver improving the service delivered to veterans."

Contacts Veterans can get contact details for their local VAPC, by calling the Veterans-UK helpline on 0800 169 2277 or by visiting www.veterans-uk.info

A committee member was approached by an ex-Royal Navy Sailor in Cowbridge who had completed 16 years service. After obtaining his details, including his serial number enlistment and discharge dates, the committee member spoke to SPVA and was able to confirm that the veteran, having reached a certain age, was entitled to apply for a pension. He was passed all the details of how and where to apply. He applied, received some back money and a pension.

Joined up support The North West Committee is supporting the Army which has taken ‘ownership‘ of Community Covenants.

The region has been divided into three categories with the highest priority given to those areas with the most urban deprivation. The VAPC sits on the Army steering group, acting as gobetween with veterans, charities, Local Authorities and other statutory bodies, and the Armed Forces. This is a joined up attempt to provide a holistic approach to veterans’ issues in the North West.

Getting extra help The Northern Ireland VAPC became actively involved in the case of a 43 year old War Pensioner, who needed to travel to the UK Mainland for continuing specialist medical treatment. The treatment, which was provided by a NHS Trust Foundation Hospital in England, was available to the veteran two to three times per year but the travelling costs were proving to be prohibitive.

The veteran asked the VAPC for assistance. The VAPC forwarded a detailed case to Leopardstown Park Hospital Trust in the Republic of Ireland, asking for their careful and sympathetic consideration to award the veteran a recurring annual grant towards travelling and accommodation costs. This grant was subsequently approved and the veteran is extremely happy with the result.

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Get ready to celebrate

Plans gearing up for Armed Forces Day 2012 With just a couple of months until the National Armed Forces Day, Veterans WORLD makes sure you know how to find out what’s happening in your local area.

ARMED FORCES DAY 2012 will be held on Saturday, June 30. At the time of going to press, over 30 events were being planned across the UK to celebrate the day, with this year’s national event being held in Plymouth.

It’s an opportunity to do two things.

Firstly, to raise public awareness of the

“The day is an opportunity to do two things – raise awareness and show support. “

contribution made to our country by those who serve and have served in Her Majesty’s Armed Forces, Secondly, it gives the nation an opportunity to Show Your Support for the men and women who make up the Armed Forces community: from currently serving troops to Service families and from veterans to cadets.

Across the country people are getting involved: communities hold local events and businesses show their support. So, while the National Event will be held in Plymouth, there are many more events up and down the country being held in support of Armed Forces Day.

Celebrations will include a parade through the city streets with troops from all three Services, military bands and veterans of all ages, finishing on the historic Plymouth Hoe for a drumhead service. Alongside

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n Armed Forces Da y

Contacts To find out what’s being planned in your local area to celebrate Armed Forces Day, visit www.armedforcesday.org.uk/

Armed Forces Day National Event – Plymouth The City of Plymouth, with its historic and distinguished links with the military, has been chosen to host the Armed Forces Day national event in 2012. Celebrations on Saturday June 30 will be a unique opportunity to see the Armed Forces up close and pay tribute to our heroes past and present. Participants will include members of the Armed Forces, veterans, the Cadet Forces, the Merchant Navy, support agencies and charitable organisations.

Show your support o

spectacular displays and the opportunity to see the latest equipment, the public will be able to view an impressive steam past of Royal Navy vessels on Plymouth Sound.

s of the A chance to raise awedarenFores ces make contribution the Arm

Entertainment will then continue into the evening for Servicemen and women, veterans, families and members of the public, rounding off a truly memorable day.

Armed Forces Day national event will be the grand finale of Plymouth’s Armed Forces Week, which will see visitors from home and abroad join together in the city to honour and celebrate the dedication of our Armed Forces, their families and veterans.

The day celebrates our Armed Forces, past and present

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Increased support for veterans in 2012 Alabaré, a provider of dedicated support for veterans outside of London, opened its fourth project for ex-Armed Forces personnel – the Portsmouth and Gosport Home for Veterans- late last year.

SPANNING across a wide area of the South including Bristol, Weymouth, Plymouth and the Portsmouth and Gosport area, Alabaré is committed to providing a unique pathway of support for men and women who have served their country and who now need a little extra help adjusting to civvy street.

Their ‘Homes for Veterans’ embrace the understanding that problems faced by men and women who have served in the

Turning a life around Alan*, a resident at the Portsmouth and Gosport Home, explained how Alabaré has made a difference to his life: “I was discharged from the Army on medical grounds with a broken neck ten years ago. After a family breakdown, I found myself homeless and sleeping in a tent for three weeks.

“I heard that Alabaré were opening a new project for veterans in Gosport through one of their other projects. I am being helped to deal with my gambling addiction which I used to waste huge amounts of money on, I am now receiving help with budgeting and would describe the Janet Herring, Senior Operational Manager at Alabaré won the prestigious Employee of the Year Award 2012, the first time the prize has been given to a charity worker. She won the accolade at the Salisbury District Chamber of Commerce and Industry Business Excellence Awards in recognition of her work with veterans.

mental health conditions or drug and alcohol addiction. Veterans will also be able to develop life skills such as budgeting and maintaining a home, skills they may never have needed while serving in the Forces.

The Portsmouth and Gosport Home for Veterans opening ceremony

Forces can reach much further than physical injuries received in conflict. The ‘Homes for Veterans’ have been so successful that Alabaré is now looking to extend the Portsmouth and Gosport Home and is seeking funding to open future veterans projects around the country.

Support at Alabaré veterans’ projects is provided by staff with a specialist insight into the unique issues facing their residents; many are themselves former Service personnel. The charity’s experience of working with veterans has shown that they progress most significantly when surrounded by staff and other residents who have a shared understanding of military life.

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accommodation and support as brilliant and awesome.

“I have found it difficult to look for work, but have been able to start volunteering at the Haslar Veterans Memorial Garden where there may be the possibility of paid work in the future, and hope to take part in the Warrior Programme.”

Alabaré’s provides support offering a safe environment in which veterans can rebuild confidence and develop essential skills while working towards living independently again. Support is provided in areas such as education, employment and housing, and veterans are encouraged to access specialist help for issues such as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, other

The charity provides further help through the provision of accommodation with lower levels of support, acting as a stepping stone for those residents making the transition to independent living, and giving individuals time to adjust.

“After a family breakdown I found myself homeless . . .”

Contacts For further information visit www.alabare.co.uk or call 01722 322882 *Names have been changed to protect the identity of the people involved

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The National Memorial Arboretum Recognition and partnership Military and civilian health personnel honoured NHS Lothian was recognised twice for their innovative work.

They picked up two awards – one in mental health care and one for the care of veterans for the Veterans First Point (V1P) services. Based in Edinburgh, it is founded on the principle of veterans supporting other veterans; offering appointments, a drop-in service and great links with other services. Clients can also be referred to a clinical team that includes a veterans therapist and Clinical Psychologist.

Minister for Defence Personnel, Welfare and Veterans, Rt Hon Andrew Robathan, said:

All the Award winners Military and civilian health personnel honoured for their work at the annual Military and Civilian Health Partnership Awards.

potential referrals are discussed at a weekly complex case meeting to enable peer review and clinical advice to be shared.

THE annual awards recognise and strengthen the partnership between Britain’s military and civilian healthcare workers and provide the opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate the many examples of high quality care.

The doctors involved have found it incredibly useful, and it has resulted in the best possible medical management of patients. In the project’s first three months, the system has demonstrated a 27.5 per cent decrease in referrals to secondary healthcare compared to the same period last year.

In 2011, their fourth year, the awards attracted more than 100 nominations from military and civilian medics across the country, with nominations open to military and civilian personnel who provide health and social care to the Armed Forces, their families and veterans.

The nine categories featured innovative treatments and services developed to care for the Armed Forces, their families and veterans.

The winners included the team from British Forces Germany Health Services in Hohne which was recognised for its innovative work.

The team picked up the Innovation and Service Development Award for developing a ‘Referrals Management System’ to improve their interface with the relatively transient population. All The Armed 22 Forces Memorial

“The staff of V1P are to be congratulated for their skill, dedication and professionalism in making a difference to the lives of those who seek out their specialist help and support.”

“Thanks to the excellence of our people working in partnership, the quality of care available to our Armed Forces – from emergency life saving procedures on operations to primary care at home and overseas – is quite remarkable. These awards are about honouring the best of the best, people who, often in the most demanding of circumstances, are delivering exceptional healthcare.”

The Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Health, Wellbeing and Cities Strategy, Nicola Sturgeon, said: “The success of Veterans First Point (V1P) in winning two Military and Civilian Health Partnership awards in 2011 is a fantastic achievement. The prestigious Mental Health and Care of Veterans awards are testimony to the innovative and high quality services provided by V1P to our Armed Forces personnel and veterans. The staff of

Civilian medical team pick up awards for outstanding work in developing veterans’ mental health services A medical team from Scotland have been honoured in the Awards. The team from

V1P picking up their second award (care of Veterans)

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The 2011 Military and Civilian Health Partnership Awards Winners Crown Copyright/MOD 2011

Innovation and service development award Referrals management system in Hohne region British Forces Germany Health Services / Hohne practice

The team from Veterans First Point, based at NHS Lothian, was recognised twice for its innovative work in providing healthcare for veterans and their families

V1P are to be congratulated for their skill, dedication and professionalism in making a difference to the lives of those who seek out their specialist help and support.”

Veterans First Point (V1P) based in Edinburgh, is founded on the principle of veterans supporting other veterans; offering appointments, a drop-in service and great links with other services.

By focusing on both welfare and mental health issues this offers holistic support and treatment for the client, helping them Veterans WORLD caught up with Veterans First Point to discuss their success . . .

What did it mean to win the Awards?

It was fantastic to receive the awards as recognition for the hard work of all those involved in designing, establishing, attending and running Veterans First Point. It meant a great deal for the staff team, but also for the service users that have worked so hard to overcome the difficulties of both themselves, their families and their peers. We would like to thank all stakeholders for the contributions to the project.

Have there been any developments on V1P since winning the award?

We are continually seeking feedback from service users on their needs and any improvements that they feel may be beneficial. Over the past three months, we have commenced low level hill walks with the Scottish War Blinded on a monthly basis.

V1P was founded on the principle of veterans supporting other veterans; please tell us a bit about how this works In 2007, a Veterans advisory group was established in order to design a new model of service delivery appropriate to the needs of veterans.

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to improve all areas of their life. To date, 50 per cent of referrals have been selfreferrals, indicating a high level of confidence for individuals accessing the services, and is especially successful in a population that can be isolated from normal support structures.

Wide consultation and collaboration was vital in developing the service, with MOD, veterans charities and NHS Specialist mental health services being involved.

NHS Lothian and the Scottish government now fund the project.

The advisory group included the veteran charitable sector, mental health professionals and veterans with experience of using mental health services. The advisory group emphasised the need for improved; co-ordination, credibility and accessibility of care.

Veterans First Point’s success is largely due to being designed by veterans, for veterans and is staffed by veterans. Every veteran that attends the service is allocated a veteran peer support worker, who can assist with any welfare concern. The veteran may then be referred onto the clinical team for mental health support.

This team includes professionals with extensive experience of working with mental health problems and some of these staff also have experience of the military.

How do veterans get referred to the service – does it need to be via GP etc or can it be self referral?

Anyone can refer into Veterans First Point.

We feel that it is testament to the accessibility and credibility of veterans First Point that over half of its referrals or self referrals made by the veteran themselves.

Referrals can be made by phone, letter or by attending drop-in sessions any afternoon 1- 4.30pm. The office is based just off Princes Street so there are good transport links.

Education and training award CBRN (chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear) medical training Defence CBRN centre, winterbourne gunner Health improvement and promotion award 'Skilled for health - healthy families' Army Primary Healthcare Services, Wessex region Mental health award Veterans First Point NHS Lothian this project's work was nominated by two independent judging panels as a finalist in two categories Healthcare reservist of the year award Major Robert Dawes 144 Parachute Medical Squadron (Volunteers), 16 Medical Regiment Healthcare regular of the year award Lieutenant Colonel Steven Jeffery Consultant Plastic Surgeon, Royal Centre for Defence Medicine, Birmingham This nomination was selected by two independent judging panels as a finalist in two categories Healthcare civilian of the year award Mr Rod Dunn Odstock Centre for Burns, Plastic and Maxillofacial Surgery, Salisbury Care of veterans award Veterans F1rst Point NHS Lothian this project's work was selected by two independent judging panels as a finalist in two categories Deployed healthcare award finalists Blood for the battlefield Defence equipment and support medical and general supplies’ blood supply team / NHS blood & transplant this team was selected by two independent judging panels as a finalist in two categories

Contacts For further information visit www.militarycivilianhealthawards.org/

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Package of support for Welsh veterans The Welsh Government sets out commitment to Armed Forces Community

The Welsh Government is supporting the Armed Forces Community in Wales, working with public services to ensure that Serving personnel, veterans and forces’ families can access local services which meet their specific needs.

AS part of this, the Welsh Government has published its ’Package of Support‘ which sets out the commitments to the Armed Forces community in Wales.

Policies, that the Welsh Government has in place or plans to implement, include: •

Champions for veterans and Armed Forces have been established in every Local Health Board (LHB) and NHS Trust in Wales; The Welsh Government will provide

•

•

•

•

• A copy of the Package of Support can be accessed on the Welsh Government website http://wales.gov.uk/topics/ housingandcommunity/safety/ armedforces/?lang=en

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access and support for veterans through the all-Wales Mental Health and Well-Being Service for Veterans; The service is producing Wales-wide publicity and information on the service and has developed a website with information for each LHB area for veterans www.veteranswales.co.uk; Service personnel and veterans have priority status in the Homebuy scheme; Veterans are entitled to Disabled facilities Grants (DFGs) from local authorities; Automatic entitlement to Blue Badges and eased access to concessionary travel for seriously injured veterans and personnel; and; Formalising arrangements for annual events to celebrate Armed Forces Day in both North and South Wales, to honour the service and sacrifice of veterans and Serving personnel.

Continued development The Package of Support will be reviewed and updated as new initiatives are introduced. An ‘Expert Group’ will support this by identifying future needs and gaps in service.

The Welsh Government has set up the ’Expert Group‘ to advise on the public service needs of Armed Forces personnel, their families, and veterans in Wales.

Membership of the Group includes representatives from the three Armed Services, the Families Federations, The Royal British Legion, the Confederation of Service Charities and HIVE.

Contacts For further information, email ArmedForces@wales.gsi.gov.uk.

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SPVA News Something new for 2012 SPVA kicked off 2012 with some new products to enhance their services to the Armed Forces Community and provide additional ways to raise awareness of news and initiatives supporting the community . . .

In the Hub

The regular feature providing you with updates from the Service Personnel and Veterans Agency War Pension Scheme pensions and allowances.

The increase is consistent with that being applied to disability benefits paid by the Department for Work and Pensions. This consistency has traditionally been the case for many years.

Find out more about veterans welfare support

The SPVA Charity Hub was launched online in January. SPVA want to supply detailed information on charities and other organisations that provide support to the Armed Forces Community. It’s a work in progress to add new information to the Hub - find out more on page 26.

Welfare Service for the UK and Ireland, said: “The Veterans Welfare Service has been providing help and support to the veterans community for almost 100 years and through two World Wars. Our more recent work includes helping those who have served in Afghanistan and Iraq but we are still here for veterans of any age, no matter when or for how long they served. This video will really help us raise awareness of our services and I hope it encourages any veterans who need welfare support to get in touch.”

SPVA gets more social

Our Welfare Officer for the Northwest visiting a veteran in his home.

In late 2011, SPVA launched their sixth video cast. The short film helps improve awareness of veterans welfare support and highlights the work of the UK’s Veterans Welfare Service(VWS). The five minute video, the latest in the ‘Veterans Today’ series, aims to raise awareness of the one to one help provided by VWS, in the home if needed, to anyone who has served in the Armed Forces.

SPVA also launched its official Facebook page – Service Personnel and Veterans Agency (MOD) – in January. The page will complement SPVA’s existing social media work which includes: Twitter, podcasts and videocasts.

The page currently has over 1,200 ‘fans’, so if you use Facebook, please consider visiting the page.

Annual Increases The annual 2012 increase to rates of War Pension Scheme (WPS) benefits were announced in December.

The announcement means a 5.2 per cent increase in payments, from April 2012, for all veterans and War Widow(er)s receiving

Issue 23 April 2012

SPVA’s ‘Veterans Today’ videos are available on the SPVA Social Media Hub, alongside all SPVA social media products, that can be accessed via the Veterans-UK website http://www.veteransuk.info/social_media.html They are also available via the Defence Headquarters channel on YouTube at: http://www.youtube.com/ user/defenceheadquarters

Presenter Don Goldie investigates the origins of the VWS nearly a century ago, when its role was to look after the welfare needs of First World war casualties, Service widows and orphans, through to the current day and those affected by operations in Afghanistan. The video explains how the VWS has retained its core principles, whilst adapting to a much wider role as part of the Government’s commitments under the Armed Forces Covenant. It shows how welfare support is provided automatically to those medically discharged and for those bereaved by Service, with an ‘on request’ service to all other members of the veterans community, including dependents and families.

Alison Davies, Manager of the Veterans

“Our more recent work includes helping those who have served in Afghanistan and Iraq but we are still here for veterans of any age . . .”

Editor’s Note: Keep an ‘ear’ out for SPVA’s next podcast release that will be an interview with Alison Davies.

Contacts More information on SPVA and its services can be found at www.veterans-uk.info or by calling 0800 169 2277.

Editor’s Note: If you enjoyed this article, then you might be interested in the article on page 13 about SPVA’s work on restored widows’ pension.

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Noticeboard Taking you to the ‘heart’ of support for veterans The new SPVA Charity Hub goes live “We want to do more and that’s where we need to hear from organisations and therefore we encourage charities and organisations who support veterans to make contact, its quick, easy and not forgetting, free to sign up to the hub. “ •

In January, SPVA launched a new Charity Hub, which provides detailed information on charities and other organisations that provide support to the Armed Forces community.

WITH an increasing number of visitors to the Veterans-UK website each month, it is hoped the hub will be a valuable tool for both ex-Service personnel and their families and all the organisations supporting them.

Karen Awere, SPVA Communications lead on the hub explained: “It’s nice to be able to provide comprehensive, at a glance pages utilising existing valuable contacts and incorporating many new ones too.

We’ve started with a small amount of charities on the hub (around 32) for the launch as we wanted to show what the hub would look like, how it could be used . . . Now we are slowly building up content.

Access the hub on your phone

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“I work with other organisations supporting veterans in the community I cover. The hub provides the latest contact details for them at my fingertips. As it gradually builds up, the hub will be a great online resource for advisors like me”.

John McGuire Welfare Officer Scan this QR code to take you direct to the hub on your smart phone

Editor’s Note: In January 2012, the Veterans-UK website received over 60,000 visits, so think of the large Armed Forces Community audience that you could be reaching, if you provide your details for the hub.

Contacts Take a look at the hub by visiting: http://www.veteransuk.info/ veterans_community_news/ charity_org1.html Express an interest in being added to the hub by dropping an email to SPVAVeterans-UK@mod.uk

“. . . we encourage charities and organisations who support veterans to make contact . . .”

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Red Four is one of six pedigree puppies recruited for Hounds for Heroes and has been named after Flight Lieutenant Jon Egging, who was killed when his Red Arrow Hawk jet crashed near Bournemouth Airport shortly after a display at August’s Air Festival. The yellow Labrador Retriever is being trained as an assistance dog for injured and disabled men and women from both the Armed Forces and civilian emergency services - see in Page 5