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Issue 19 April 2011 ®MINISTRY OF DEFENCE
Ra i s ing awareness o f t he r ange o f he lp and adv ice ava i l ab le to ve t e rans
GET PLANNINGFOR ARMED
FORCES DAY2011
HELP AND SUPPORT FROM SERVICE PERSONNEL AND VETERANS AGENCY
Joint PersonnelAdministration Centre(JPAC)The first point of contact for servingpersonnel
Armed ForcesCompensation Scheme(AFCS)For injury, ill health and death linkedto Service on or after 6 April 05
War PensionsFor injury, ill health and death linkedto Service prior to 6 April 05
Joint Casualty andCompassionate Centre(JCCC)Providing casualty and compassionatereporting services - 24 hours a day
MedalsHave you claimed your medals? Call us today
Armed Forces PensionSchemesHave you claimed your pensionentitlement? (Service from 1975onwards)
Service Personnel & Veterans Agency
How to contact usService Personnel
JPAC opening hoursMonday - Friday 0700 - 1900
JPAC Enquiry Centre0141 224 3600Mil 94560 3600
Write to usJPAC Enquiry Centre, Mail Point 403, Kentigern House65 Brown Street, Glasgow G2 8EX
Online accessibilityInternet: [email protected]: JPACEnquiryCentre
JCCCContact the JCCC 24 hours a day, seven days a week01452 519951
Ex-Service Personnel
Veterans UK Helpline0800 169 2277You may be offered a call back if lines are busy.Lines are open: Monday - Thursday: 0815 - 1715Friday: 0815 - 1630
Write to usVeterans Advice Team, Service Personnel and Veterans AgencyTomlinson House, Norcross FY5 3WPEmail: [email protected]: 01253 332014
Onlinewww.veterans-uk.info
3Issue 19 April 2011
Contents Issue 19April 2011
From Services to Civvy StreetResettlement support for Service Leavers
Take ActionUseful tips for dealing with debt
Home ComfortsOpening of new homes for veterans
Cooking up a StormPryors Bank initiative setting the standard
Ticket to RideKarts help wounded troops hit the tracks
RegularsNews in BriefSPVA NewsNoticeboard
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Veterans WORLD is distributed to those work in an advisory role.Managing Editor: Laurie MantonEditor: Clare EllisDeputy Editor: Chrissie ButterworthEmail: [email protected]
For distribution enquiriesEmail: [email protected] or call: 01253 330451
Want to make an editorial contribution?Contributions are most welcome.To raise awareness of an initiative, scheme or organisation that offershelp, advice or support to veterans contact the editorial team by emailing: [email protected]
Editorial content enquiries contact:Managing Editor: Laurie Manton by Email: [email protected] by calling: 01253 333882
®
For advertising opportunities please contact:[email protected]
Front cover: Victoria Cross poppy held by L.Cpl Johnson Beharry, Gardening Leave Page 6
The content of Veterans WORLD is provided to raise awareness ofhelp, advice and support available to the veterans community.Publication of articles on services provided or developmentsaffecting the veterans community does not mean that they areendorsed by Veterans WORLD or the Ministry of Defence.
Veterans given a sporting chance
Veterans get help to kickstart a
healthy New Year
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News in brief
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Minister forDefencePersonnel,Welfare and
Veterans, Andrew Robathan, hasannounced the publication of anindependent evaluation into theCommunity Veterans Mental HealthPilots (CVMHPs) by the University ofSheffield.
IN 2007, following concerns that someveterans were unwilling to use NHSservices or that the NHS was unsuitablefor their specific needs, the MOD, theDepartment of Health, and theDevolved Administrations launched sixNHS veterans’ mental health pilotservices in Stafford, Camden andIslington, Bishop Auckland, Cardiff,Cornwall and Edinburgh.
The pilots were established to ensurethat ex-Servicemen and women withmental health problems had access to aculturally sensitive expert serviceoffering assessment of their needs,followed by appropriate support andtreatment. The work of the pilotscontinues beyond the initial two-yearpilot period.
An independent evaluation has beenconducted by the University ofSheffield’s Centre for PsychologicalServices Research. They compared thenew model of services provided by thepilots with existing services alreadyavailable in the areas, compared theparticular approaches of the individualpilot sites to identify best practice andcollected information on the frequency
and range of problems being presentedto advise future planning of NHS mentalhealthcare services for veterans.
The Evaluation Report identifies keycomponents of successful services andmakes a number of recommendations.The UK Health Departments willconsider the Report and examine howits recommendations fit with existingand planned enhancements to NHSveterans mental health services.
Evaluation report into CommunityVeterans Mental Health Pilots published
An independent review into prostheticsservices provided by the NHS to ex-Servicepersonnel who have lost limbs while serving inthe Armed Forces, was launched in January, bythe Health Minister, Simon Burns.
THE review, led by Dr Andrew Murrison MP, willlook into the prosthetic services currently offeredto veterans by the NHS, and assess how these canbe strengthened to meet future demands on theservice. The review will also gather evidence onthe current and future needs of veterans forprosthetics services, and on the provision andcost of services.
It will also look at:
• the future funding of high specification, evidence-based prosthetics; services within the NHS and the possible contribution of personal health budgets and the inclusion of these in continuing healthcare arrangements;
• how regional variations in service can be minimised;
• how the transition from the Armed Forces’ prosthetics care to the NHS can be improved;and
• the role of Service charities in helping to meet the realistic needs of individuals over and above that which the NHS can provide.
Dr Murrison will be calling on the experience andknowledge of the British Limbless Ex-ServiceMen’s Association (BLESMA) and Help for Heroesin taking this work forward, as well as the MOD,NHS and other Service charities.
Dr Murrison is expected to report to the PrimeMinister and Health and Defence Secretaries bythe end of June 2011.
Review into NHSprosthetics services
ContactsThe report can be downloaded fromthe University of Sheffield website:http://www.shef.ac.uk/mediacentre/2010/1822.html
Community Veterans Mental HealthPilots contact details
Stafford: Veterans Mental Health ServiceTel: 01785 257888http://www.southstaffsandshropshealthcareft.nhs.uk/Services/Veterans-Mental-Health-Service/Default/General-Information.aspx
Camden & Islington: Veterans’Community Mental Health ServiceTel: 020 7530 3666http://www.candi.nhs.uk/veterans/
Bishop Auckland: Community VeteransMental Health ServiceTel: 01388 646800http://www.tewv.nhs.uk/Our-Services/Adult-mental-health-services/Community-Veterans-Mental-Health-Pilot/
Cardiff: Community Veterans MentalHealth ServiceTel: 029 2074 2062http://www.veterans-mhs-cvct.org/
Cornwall: Community Veterans ServiceTelephone: 01579 335226http://www.cornwallpartnershiptrust.nhs.uk/CornwallPartnershipTrust/OurServices/CommunityServices/SupportForVeterans.aspx
Edinburgh: Veterans First Point 0131 220 9920http://www.veteransfirstpoint.org.uk/
An amputee serviceman has his prosthetic limbadjusted during rehabilitation at Headley Court, Surrey
Location of private services (red) andcomparators (blue). All services areregionally based except for Combat Stresswhich has national coverage.
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The Ministry of Defence are workingclosely with the Department forEducation to develop and implementthe programme. The scheme willhave three strands:
• Utilising the Teach Next programme to attract high quality graduate Service Leavers to train as teachers via a replacement programme for the current Graduate Teacher Programme;
• Getting non-graduate Service Leavers into teaching via a guided pathway to Qualified Teacher Status; and
• For those who do not wish to teach,getting Service Leavers into schoolsas mentors.
The programme is very much at thedevelopment stage, Veterans WORLDwill report on progress in a future issue .
The Troops to Teachers initiative is a new programme announced by the Departmentfor Education which aims to bring more Service Leavers into the classroom.
From Troops to Teachers
ContactsFor details of the scheme, visithttp://www.enhancedlearningcredits.com/
Enhanced LearningCredits - Make Your Claim!
Serving personnel and recent ServiceLeavers are reminded to make the mostof the opportunity to claim EnhancedLearning Credits(ELC) to help gain newqualifications.
The ELC scheme allows registeredmembers to make a total of three claimstowards the cost of courses andqualifications. All people who registeredfor membership and completed four yearsqualifying service - from 1 April 2000 ordate of enlistment if later - are eligible touse the scheme for up to ten years afterleaving the Armed Forces, if they have anyof their three claims left.
ELC may be used to gain qualifications atLevel 3 and above. The maximum valueper claim is £1,000 for those who servedfour to seven years, or £2,000 for thosewho served eight years or more. In allcases, claimants are expected to pay atleast 20% of the course costs.
Career Transition Partnership newsGUIDE TO ARMED FORCES RESETTLEMENT
A new bi-annualbrochure has beenproducedto raise awarenessof resettlementacross the Servicecommunity andwithin the MOD.
The Connectbrochure has been distributed acrossCareer Transition Partnership (CTP)Regional Resettlement Centres, Educationand Medical Centres, Service ResettlementAdvisers, HIVEs and across MOD.
The first issue includes a foreword from LtGen Sir William Rollo, Deputy Chief of theDefence Staff (Personnel & Training), andprovides information on all aspects ofresettlement, the services CTP provides forService leavers, and the further supportavailable to veterans.
Connect can be viewed on CTP websitewww.ctp.org.uk
Employment support for veterans
Connect also aims to raise awareness ofcharities who will help veterans with
employment support for life. The RegularForces Employment Association (RFEA),The Officers’ Association and The Officers’Association Scotland, in addition to theirintegral work as part of the CareerTransition Partnership, are able to provideemployment help and guidance to all ex-Service men and women throughouttheir working lives.
If you are a veteran and require jobfinding assistance, please contact theCentral Employment Team helpdesk on0121 236 0058
An enhanced CTP website is beinglaunched this spring. New featuresinclude interactive tools to assist thosegoing through the resettlementprocess and a wealth of information forall across the Service community. Forveterans who have already made thetransition to civilian life, the site will bea resource that can be re-visited at anypoint for a wide range of usefulinformation and job finding support.
Keep checking www.ctp.org.uk forupdates
More on Resettlement in Page 10
A Gurkha soldier teaches schoolchildren about biodiversity at Hythe Ranges in Kent
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Allen’s assistance dog Endal Junior, pperforms a number of tasks to support him from posting envelopes to picking items from shop shelves
The GardeningLeave charity,founded in 2007by Anna BakerCresswell,providesHorticultural
Therapy to serving and ex-ServicePersonnel, has launched two newprojects.
THE Gardening Leave pilot project wasstarted in the Ornamental Gardens at theScottish Agricultural College atAuchincruive and initially the referralscame from Hollybush House, the nearbyCombat Stress treatment centre.
At Auchincruive, all the vegetables grownby Gardening Leave go back to thekitchens at Hollybush House andScotland’s only National Collection ofpoppies is being restored by GardeningLeave. The veterans who come toGardening Leave say that they like to beoutside, be together, and have somethingsemi-structured to do; all under thewatchful eye of Pamela, the HorticulturalTherapist, who is supported by a carefullyselected team of volunteers whose job isto provide reassurance and a friendly ear -gardening skills are a bonus!
There is plenty of anecdotal evidence toprove that the veterans who come toGardening Leave derive benefit from it -improved sleep patterns and appetite;
increased concentration and self-esteemand hope for the future through reducedsocial isolation - Professor JacquelineAtkinson at the University of Glasgowprovided the first peer-reviewed researchinto the benefits.
Last year, two new Gardening Leaveprojects at Erskine Hospital and the RoyalHospital Chelsea were opened and likeAuchincruive, they provide a peaceful,safe environment which is exclusivelyopen to the military. Both these projectsare being externally evaluated by theMental Health Foundation and will lookat the extent to which these non-clinicalinterventions for this client group canprovide benefit.
Referrals come from Service charities suchas TRBL, Sir Oswald Stoll Foundation;SSAFA-FH; Veterans Aid, the NHS andCombat Stress. Self referrals are also verywelcome. All new referrals are visited by amember of the Veterans AssessmentTeam who are Community PsychiatricNurses with military experience whoexplains what Gardening Leave is andhow it can help. Although most veteranssuccessfully use NHS services, some aremore comfortable with healthcareproviders who have more experience orknowledge of military service.
Anna says, “It is fantastic that as morepeople get to know about GardeningLeave and what we do, we can open more
projects for our Serving Personnel andveterans which will improve their mentaland physical wellbeing. No person is anisland and I am very proud to be able todo my bit; they have already done theirs.”
Gardening Leave is growingGreen-fingered charity for veterans expanding
“. . . as morepeople get to
know aboutGardening Leaveand what we do,
we can open moreprojects for our
serving personneland veterans . . .”
ContactsFor more information visitwww.gardeningleave.org or call Evelyn at Head Office on 01292 521 444 or [email protected] working with harvested willow at Gardening Leave Auchincruive
L to R: Tara Jeewoonarain, horticulturaltherapist, Anna Baker-Cresswell CE andKate Gould, Charity Champion gardendesigner
7Issue 19 April 2011
Veterans WORLD caught up with MickByrne, St Dunstan’s Project Managerresponsible for the refurbishment andconstruction of the charity’s new Centrein Llandudno.
Mick humbly pointed out that while hemay head up the project for thetransformation of the former North WalesMedical Centre, the real transformation willtake place from the early autumn of 2011.Changing the lives of the Service personneland veterans who will come to the Centrewhere they will receive rehabilitation andtraining to help them adjust to a lifewithout sight* and regain their confidenceand independence.
Speaking of progress Mick Byrne said:
“Everything is going to plan and we’re onschedule to open in the autumn of 2011.We purchased the site in 2008 but as it’s aGrade II listed building we first had to gainplanning permission for any work to becarried out. As there is only a certainamount of change we can make to thebuilding we are working to stringentguidelines.
“In May 2010 the refurbishment of thebuilding and construction of the extensionbegan. The five storey building will include50 bedrooms, a dining room, a lounge andbar, training rooms, a kitchen, staff rooms
and administrative offices. We have alsocombined two former bedrooms to make atraining flat, which will be especially usefulto help people learn independent livingskills.
“A lot of the work has been to improveaccess, widening doorways and installing anew lift, as well as adding rails with tactilesignals to help with orientation. Outsidewe will lay paths to help people navigatethe lawns and there will be plenty of spacefor archery and outdoor sports.”
Construction has started on the extensionwith the ground and base works andretaining wall completed. The extensionwill contain 11 high dependency nursingbeds fitted with hoists and ensuite wetrooms. There will also be a rehabilitationgym, to be named the Help for HeroesGym, in honour of their £1 milliondonation. The gym will include the latestequipment where people will receivetraining from sports and recreation staffand there will be a separate sports roomfor archery, bowls and acoustic rifleshooting.
Along with a Craft Workshop, there will bea training room where rehabilitationworkers specialising in supporting peoplewho are visually impaired will provide one-to-one guidance to equip people with theskills and confidence to safely learn how tonavigate their way around a kitchenwithout the use of their sight. In thekitchen they will learn how to make a hotdrink and to cook for themselves and theirfamily without risk of injury.
New centre planning to transform lives
St Dunstan’s Centre in Llandudno on schedule to open its doors in Autumn 2011
Contacts
*St Dunstan’s is the only charity toprovide direct support throughrehabilitation and training to Servicepersonnel or veterans who have losttheir sight or are visually impaired as aresult of conflict, age, accident or illness.
To keep up to date with progressvisit www.st-dunstans.org.uk
Before and after, CGI image of the new centre in Llandudno
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The Coalition ‘Programme forGovernment’ included an undertakingto provide ‘university and furthereducation scholarships for the childrenof Service personnel who have beenkilled on active duty since 1990’. Thescheme is currently being developedand intended for launch this academicyear. Veterans WORLD reports on theprogress so far.
THE initiative aims to give the children ofthose killed in the service of their countrya head start in life. On the basis thatgraduates earn more over their lifetime
than non-graduates, the scheme isdesigned to enable these young peopleto get a first degree. In order to get touniversity they must first follow theacademic stream at school and a FurtherEducation scholarship will help these
children to stay in school to obtain auniversity place.
The scholarship is not a free universityplace but a contribution towards thetuition fees and living costs. The value ofthe university element of the scholarshipfor the 2010 -11 academic year has beenset at roughly the sum of the tuition feesand the standard maintenance loan. Thiswill be reviewed if and when tuition feesrise.
Readers will be aware that although MODoperates across the UK, responsibility foreducation falls to the DevolvedAdministrations. The sums agreed so farrelate to those living in England. At thetime of going to press discussions areongoing on scholarships for thosebereaved children who have settled inScotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Editors Note: Veterans WORLD willreport on progress in a later issue.
Scholarships for bereaved Service ChildrenFamilies of Service personnel killed on active duty will benefit from publicly funded highereducation scholarships
A geography lesson at Duke of York’s Royal Military School
The term ‘active duty’ is not used ordefined in the UK armed forces. Theobvious interpretation of thiseligibility criterion is those killed in amedal-earning operation. ButMinisters have agreed that someonekilled, for example, on a trainingexercise prior to deployment hasmade the same sacrifice as someonekilled on the operation itself.Eligibility has therefore beenwidened to the children of thosewhose death is predominantly dueto their service in HM Armed Forces.The commitment includes thosebereaved since 1 January 1990.
The initiative was introduced todemonstrate the Country’srecognition of the sacrifice madeby the members of HM Forcesand its determination to rebuildthe Military Covenant.
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There are several sources of FREE,independent help for those who needfurther assistance.Consumer Credit Counselling Service(CCCS) 0800 138 1111Debt Remedy at www.cccs.co.uk.National Debtline 0808 808 4000
Online at www.nationaldebtline.co.ukLocal Citizens Advice Bureau – theirwebsite (see point 5) has a postcodesearch for the nearest branch.Media advertising and marketingtelephone calls offering assistancewith debts are generally fromcompanies that charge for theirservices. Even if the initial advice isfree there will be a cost to any actionthey take. They don’t provide a betterservice than those listed above.
Debt overload?Liz Dunscombe, from national money education charity Credit Action, provides some usefuladvice on dealing with debt.
NO-ONE chooses to suffer the pain ofunmanageable debt. We are bombardedby advertising which tells us what thegood life looks like and credit which offersus a way to have it all now.
The symptoms of a debt problem
Any of the following can indicate a debtproblem that needs addressing;
• payments are being returned unpaid,regular lateness in paying bills or only ever making the minimum repayment;
• having to use a credit card for day-to-day purchases or for cash withdrawals;
• borrowing money to pay off or repeatedly rescheduling debts;
• struggling to pay priority bills - mortgage, rent, council tax etc; and
• being regularly stressed about money.
What can be done?
There is nearly always a solution to a debtproblem. It may require tough decisionsand hard work, but it is possible. Workingthrough the following steps is making agood start on the road to financialrecovery.
1. Don’t ignore debts
2. Be honest
3. List debts and draw up abudget
Make a list of all debts. Prepare astatement detailing income andexpenditure, taking time to produce arealistic estimate of all things money isspent on. An interactive budget planner isavailable atwww.creditaction.org.uk/budgetbuilder
4. Prioritise debts
Prioritise paying those bills for which non-payment will result in loss of home,liberty or essential goods and services.
5. Check benefits and taxcode
Visit the CAB sitewww.adviceguide.org.uk. A usefulcalculator is availablewww.turn2us.org.uk.
6. Maximise ability to repay
Decide on main financial commitments,cut down on non-essential spending.
7. Get help if needed
After doing a budget and reviewingexpenditure, some people feel able tomanage their own debts. Credit Action’sself-help booklet can be downloaded freefrom the website detailed above.
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For those who serve for more thantheir initial contract (four years),resettlement provision and theassociated support and services of theCareer Transition Partnership, issignificant, while for those who servefor less, it is unfortunately not.
LOOKING to improve this support, theMOD has launched a consultationexercise to see how it may improve itsprovision to those Service personnel wholeave before completing four years; agroup collectively known as Early ServiceLeavers (ESL). Following theconsultation, there are plans to trial aselected new scheme for six months laterthis year.
Last year, Early Service Leavers comprisedapproximately half of all those leaving theServices (9,380 from 18,570), withresearch suggesting that these individualsare at a disadvantage in securing paidemployment and in transitioningsuccessfully back to civilian life. Thecurrent resettlement service to ESL ismainly practical advice and guidanceonly. The MOD hopes to provide a morepersonal and sophisticated service thatwill improve help to secure a job uponleaving and offer greater support for anywho may be vulnerable to socialexclusion.
MOD has now consulted across Industry,other Government Departments andAgencies and the Voluntary andCommunity Sector, to see how all maypossibly work together collectively toprovide a better service to ESL, includingsupporting them post-discharge as newveterans.
The consultation received positivefeedback, with over 20 formal responsesto the original consultation document,received from across a wide range ofmajor organisations. Those replies arenow being thoroughly reviewed andconsidered before the intendeddevelopment and launch of a new
collaborative trial ESL scheme later thisyear. The aim is to directly ‘connect’ theindividual to the help and support theymost need, including outplacement,welfare and charitable organisations, aswell as to other public bodies, likeJobCentrePlus and the DWP’s new WorkProgramme.
Col Ian Waller, MOD’s Assistant Head ofResettlement said:
“We recognise that more needs to bedone to improve resettlement packagesfor Early Service Leavers and that’s whywe are reviewing the current provision ofsupport. Part of our review, will belooking at whether we can enhanceprovision for those who have served forless than four years but havedemonstrated some form ofcommitment; such as having completedtraining and joined front line command.
“Our current resettlement contractexpires in 2015, but we won’t be waitinguntil that date to begin enhancingservices for Early Service Leavers – thereview will identify where we can makeimprovements straight away.”
Resettlement Support for Early Service LeaversApproximately 20,000 Service personnel leave the Armed Forces each year.
“We recognisethat more needsto be done toimproveresettlementpackages forEarly ServiceLeavers andthat’s why we arereviewing thecurrent provisionof support.”
Skills learned in service are transferable to civilian life
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THOUSANDS of people across the UK willunite on Armed Forces Day to show theirappreciation for the men and womenwho make up the Armed Forcescommunity – serving personnel (regularand reserve), their families, veterans andcadets. A weekend of celebrations isplanned in Edinburgh focusing on amarch down the Royal Mile, a party inHolyrood Park, with activities and an airdisplay in Leith.
The full programme is currently beingcompiled but Edinburgh City Councilleader Jenny Dawe revealed:
“We’re planning events in the city fromFriday all the way through to Sunday,which will showcase the very best theArmed Forces and Edinburgh has to offer.We’ll make sure that there’s plenty goingon for all age groups because we wantthe Armed Forces, veterans, people ofEdinburgh, and visitors from across theUK to mix together and enjoy themselves.
“It’s a privilege for Edinburgh to have theresponsibility to host such an importantevent, honouring those who servecourageously at home and abroad, andthe millions of veterans who have
committed and fought over the years. Weare determined to put on anunforgettable show.”
It’ll be a busy weekend in Edinburgh somilitary personnel, their families andveterans are urged to put the date in theirdiaries and start planning any necessaryaccommodation and travel early on. It’shoped that local businesses and eaterieswill get behind the Armed Forcescommunity; offering discounts andspecial offers.
Chief of the Defence Staff, General SirDavid Richards said: “I enjoyed myselfimmensely at the Armed Forces Day inEdinburgh last year. It was a pleasure tomeet so many Scots troops and veteransand I have no doubt that this yearEdinburgh will again put on a spectacularweekend. I know that after the paradesare over the Service personnel and theirfamilies will join the celebrations.”
Find out about local events
If you are unable to attend the Edinburghevent there are many more eventsplanned around the United Kingdom thatyou could attend. To find the nearest
event to you and for all Armed Forces Daynews visit www.armedforcesday.org.uk.
If you’re planning an event, don’tforget to get the details placed on thewebsite.
Editor’s Note: More information aboutArmed Forces Day 2011 will be publishedin the next issue of Veterans WORLD.
A Date for the Diary
“It’s a privilege forEdinburgh to havethe responsibility tohost such animportant event”
Edinburgh will host this year’s national event
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The eyes of the nation will be on Scotland this year whenEdinburgh hosts the national event for Armed Forces Day 2011.
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pace so it looks good on the page
Jock Hutchinson (front) and RM Jay Hare out on the trail
Fighting Back From Injury
Help for HeroesProviding through-life support to the Armed Forces Community.
Contacts
Launched in October 2007, Help forHeroes was co-founded by Bryn Parry, aformer member of The Royal GreenJackets and his wife Emma.
THE charity is strictly non-political andnon-critical, they just want to help and asksupporters to ‘do their bit’ to show theseextraordinary young people that they arecared for.
Andy Newell was one of the woundedpersonnel Bryn and Emma first met duringtheir visit to Selly Oak in the summer of2007. Andy was shot in the arm and hisbone was shattered into more than 60pieces while serving with the 16 AirAssault Brigade in Afghanistan in July2006.
Having been involved with the charityright from the beginning, he hasexperienced first hand the long-termsupport that Help for Heroes are offering.
“I could not have achieved a fraction ofwhat I have managed to do since myinjury if I had not had the support of theHelp for Heroes team. They helped megain a new perspective on my life, helpingme regain control of my situation when I
thought it was spiralling out of control. Iknow they will always be there for theinjured guys and girls in times of crisiswhich will help them achieve much morefrom their future lives, either in the ArmedForces or as a civilian. Knowing there issomeone who ‘has your back covered’ atall times and is thinking of you is hugelyreassuring to someone going through thetrauma of an injury and followingrehabilitation.”
Help for Heroes spends every pennypossible on supporting capital projectsand grants to specialist organisations thatprovide support for wounded Servicepersonnel . The money raised (£82.6million at the time of going to print) hasbeen spent or allocated and is making amassive difference - from Headley Courtwhich received £8 million for a state of theart gym facility and treatment rooms, aswell as the 25 metre swimming pool, to£100,000 given to the BLESMA forrehabilitation work.
The next project for Help for Heroes is toensure those wounded in the line of dutyget the very best support; for life. Theyare working with the Services, to establisha series of regional Recovery Centres that
will support those who leave the ArmedForces to get jobs and provide access to acomprehensive range of services; fromlearning new skills to accessingpsychological, financial, employment,prosthetic and social support – in Bryn’swords “a one stop welfare shop for ourwounded and their families”. The Centreswill provide comfortable living andlearning accommodation on the ‘Road toRecovery’, giving those injured in the lineof duty the very best training andopportunities to face a fulfilling future.
Commenting on the Personnel RecoveryCentres, Bryn Parry says;
“The Road to Recovery is a very long andhard path. These are young men andwomen today but they will grow old. H4H wants to ensure that when thecurrent level of public support has passed,as it inevitably will, they are not forgotten;they deserve the best and we are doingour best to get it.”
How the money has been spent
Headley Court received £8 million, for astate of the art gym facility andtreatment rooms, as well as the 25metre swimming pool; £6.5 million hasgone to the Combat Stress mentalhealth charity, £485,000 to Battle Back,a charity that uses adaptive adventuretraining and sports rehabilitation, plus£100,000 to the British Limbless Ex-Service Men’s Association forrehabilitation work to name just a few.The Quick Reaction Fund has granted £6 million, offering money to ServicePersonnel within 72 hours if needed.
For more information visitwww.helpforheroes.org.uk
“I could not have achieved a fraction of what I have managed to do since my injury if I had nothad the support of the Help for Heroes team” - Andy Newell
13Issue 19 April 2011
Fighting Back From Injury
The Big LotteryFund hascommittedover £1 millionin extrafunding in theyear ahead forthe SecondWorld War
veterans to make their personalbattlefield commemorative journeys tothe places they saw action.
THE additional funding for the HeroesReturn grant scheme came on the day theFund named the 50,000th individual tobenefit from the scheme.
The Big Lottery Fund’s UK Interim Chair,Anna Southall, presented the 50,000thaward to RAF Bomber Command veteranGordon Mellor who escaped occupiedFrance with the help of the Resistance viathe Comet Line.
The extra funding for the scheme will helpensure veterans still to apply are able tojourney in the year ahead to revisit thescenes of Second World War events, suchas the forthcoming 70th anniversary of theBattle of Crete.
Anna Southall said: “This extension of thescheme will be a big help to those whohave felt so far unable to make theirpersonal journeys back to the battlefieldsof the Second World War”.
Mr Mellor used his funding to go back toFrance where a memorial service was heldfor the escapees who died crossing thePyrenees and for the people who werekilled for helping them. He managed toescape occupied France with the help ofthe Resistance after being shot down.
Gordon Mellor vividly recalls:
“Returning from a short night raid overAachen we were chased by aMesserschmitt 109. He cracked us fourtimes on each set of engines and westarted to hurtle down at a fast rate. I
managed to bail out and crashed into atree. The flight engineer came out behindme but his parachute failed and he hit aroof on the side of a house and was killed. Isaw the plane burning in a field, insidewere the pilot and rear gunner who hadn’tmanaged to get out. I was about 2km fromthe crash and managed to get out of thetree, stuffing my parachute between thebranches. As I stood in the darknesslooking at the flames I had the loneliestfeeling of all my life, a desperate feeling ofbeing completely alone.”
RAF Bomber Command veteran Gordon Mellor was the 50,000th individual to benefit from the Heroes Return grant scheme.
ContactsFor information and details of how toapply for a Heroes Return 2 grant call0845 00 00 121 or visitwww.biglotteryfund.org.uk/heroesreturn
Heroes return schemeextended to 2012
Gordon Mellor with fellow veteranRobert Watt
Through the scheme, Second World Warveterans from the UK, Channel Islandsand Republic of Ireland can apply fortravel and accommodation costs to visitthe places across the world where theysaw active service or to take part in anofficial commemoration in the UK. Warwidows and widowers of veterans arealso eligible, and carers and spouses canalso receive funding to travel withveterans.
14
Alabaré is a regional charity that istackling this head on, working inpartnership with a number of majorArmed Forces welfare charities toensure a collaborative approach to thesupport on offer to veterans.
THANKS to funding from, among others,The Royal British Legion, ABF The SoldiersCharity, the RAF Association and TheSociety of Merchant Venturers, Alabarénow has a total of five Homes for Veterans– one in Plymouth, two in Bristol and twoin Weymouth, and there are plans toexpand even further with more housesacross the south and south-west.
Alabaré’s Homes for Veterans provide aunique combination of accommodationand support, helping residents to accessspecialist help with a wide range of issues,
including Post Traumatic Stress Disorder ordrug and alcohol addiction. Residents alsowork on developing independent livingskills to help them move on successfully.
Alabaré also reaches out to veteransthrough many of its other projects andservices:
Alabaré’s Wiltshire Drop In Centres inSalisbury and Trowbridge provide a vitalfront line service to homeless andvulnerable adults, offering hot food anddrink, showers, washing facilities and aclothing and sleeping bag service. Fromhere, veterans can be signposted to otherrelevant services and support.
But it is not just about putting a roof overpeople’s heads; Alabaré believes thatequipping clients with the skills they needto manage a tenancy is fundamental topreventing eviction and avoidinghomelessness. Alabaré Home and MoneyProgramme is a series of workshopsfocusing on tenancy and housing relatedissues - special funding has now beensecured to roll this out across SalisburyPlain, specifically targeting those leaving
the Armed Forces. Veterans WORLD willreport on the workshops in a future issue.
Alabaré recognises the need to supportveterans and is committed to expandingits Veterans’ Programme accordingly. Theyhave a dedicated Project DevelopmentManager in place, a post created withfunding from the MOD’s VeteransChallenge Fund.
Alabaré expanding to meetthe needs of veteransAdjusting to civilian life can prove difficult for some veterans.
Contacts
Alabaré Christian Care and Support is acharity that works with homeless andvulnerable people. They have more than40 projects across Wiltshire, Hampshire,Plymouth, Bournemouth, Devon, Dorset,Bristol and North Somerset providing arange of services including drop-incentres, supported accommodation andadvice and training.
Tackling HomelessnessIn June 2010, a Ministerial Working Group on Preventing and Tackling Homelessness was established, recognising that the issue of homelessness, and themultiple needs of homeless people, are cross-government in nature.
The Working Group aims to resolve the cross departmental policy issues that contribute to homelessness, and that cannot be resolved by one department workingalone. This includes pro-actively sharing information and avoiding the unintended consequences of a policy that can lead to increased numbers of homeless people. AShared Priorities Strategy Document is now being developed in which government departments will agree the measures they will undertake to tackle and preventhomelessness.
The Group is chaired by the Minister for the Department for Communities and Local Government, it includes Ministerial representatives from the Ministry of Defence,the Department of Health, the Department for Work and Pensions, the Ministry of Justice, the Department for Education, the Department for Business Innovation andSkills and the Home Office.
This home in Bristol is one of the fiveAlabaré Homes for veterans
Home comforts at the Weymouth house
To find out more about how Alabaré cansupport veterans then visitwww.alabare.co.uk or contact ProjectDevelopment Manager David Millward on 01722 322882.
“When I was in prison I was approachedby VIPA, the Veterans in PrisonAssociation. They put me in touch withAlabaré and they said I could move in onmy release date.
Moving into the house has been great. Iwas expecting a hostel but it’s really niceand the staff are really helpful. This timenext year I hope to be on a course andhave a job and my own house.”
Alabaré Weymouth Home for Veteransresident
15Issue 18 April 2011
During theFirst WorldWar, theatreimpresarioOswald Stollresolved toprovidehousing andhelp for
wounded and disabled men andwomen who served their country. Thatwork continues today with the SirOswald Stoll Foundation housing andproviding support to around 250 ex-Service personnel and their families onthree sites across West London.Although based in London, theirresidents can come from anywhere.One was even homeless in Rome beforehe came to the Foundation!
THE Sir Oswald Stoll Foundation pridesitself on its collaborative approach andworking with many partners enables themto provide several innovative projectswhich help the residents to live asindependently as possible, some of whichare described below.
The Foundation’s flagship project is thecatering apprenticeship scheme whichwas masterminded by Foundationresident, ex-Household Cavalry (LifeGuard), Bob Barrett. He set up the
Beef Kitchen, a mobile catering businessmanaged and staffed by residents to sellfood to passing Chelsea fans on matchday. This has evolved to include a cafénear Putney Bridge - Pryors Bank - whichhas now become more of a formal eventlocation, thanks in no small part to agenerous donation from singingsensations The Soldiers. The apprenticesare funded by The Royal British Legionand work towards their Level 2 NVQqualification which will then help them gointo long-term employment in thecatering industry. Not only do they workat Pryors Bank and the Beef Kitchen butthey also work in a West End restaurant.The project has won several awards for itsinnovative approach.
Identifying opportunities
Where possible, the Foundation involvesresidents in the delivery of its projects.Another resident, Ken Lukoviak, an ex-Para and Northern Ireland and FalklandsVeteran, now works with the Health andWellbeing Manager to identify workopportunities for fellow residents and tohelp them through the process. His post isfunded by The Poppy Factory which inturn sees the immense value inencouraging disabled people back to thework place.
New partnership
The newest project involves working witha partner organisation SPEAR (a charityworking with homeless people in andaround Richmond) to provide an outreachservice so that the Foundation’s supportteam can make contact with and help ex-Service personnel in the widercommunity. Currently, the Foundation’sOutreach worker is funded by ABF TheSoldiers Charity with SPEAR’s post fundedby The Royal British Legion. Their aim issimple, to ensure that those who need itget all possible advice and supportappropriate to their needs.
The Sir Oswald Stoll FoundationInnovation and collaboration in housing and helping Veterans.
ContactsFor housing or support information: call 020 7385 2110, email [email protected] visit Website: www.oswaldstoll.org.uk
The establishment of the Group clearly demonstrates the seriousness with which the issue is taken. The Group recognises and acknowledges theimportant role that voluntary and community sector organisations like Alabaré and Sir Oswald Stoll Foundation play in tackling homelessness,particularly among ex-Service personnel . . .
Harry Powell, one of the Pryors BankApprentices hard at work in the kitchen
The Soldiers help out at Pryors Bank
Ken Lukoviak, who helps fellow residentsget back to work
16
“I think this is a fantastic idea.As racing drivers weexperience these speedsall the time. For injuredpersonnel and veteransto have the sameopportunities isbrilliant.”Formula 3 aceJames Cole
Sapper Ash Hall injured by an IED in July 2010, only fine months later he enjoyed the thrill of karting with hand controls
17Issue 19 April 2011
Injured personnel and veterans arebeing given a ticket to the fast lane by anew karting enterprise aimed at offeringadrenalin-fuelled action on the track.
KART FORCE will see drivers racing to thechequered flag with specially-adaptedhand controls that allow people with themost serious injuries to compete on a levelplaying field with their colleagues, friendsand families.
The scheme is the brainchild of ex-Serviceman David Player and his businesspartner Phil Armes, who hope to stage racesessions at tracks across the country.
“We designed these hand controls so wecould set up team events for people withdifferent levels of injury,” David, a formerRoyal Engineer explained.
“We had to come up with a system thatcan fit into as many karts as possible.
“We are now planning a number of casualtester days and we want people to comeforward and say they are interested.
“For example, if we get ten people in theKent area showing an interest we cancome down and put something on forthem.
“This is an opportunity for them to trysomething they probably thought theywould never do again, and they are on atotally level playing field.
“They can come and have a look and ifthey like it they can take it up as a propersport.”
Kart Force has been supported by a£25,000 grant from ABF The Soldiers’Charity, money that has paid for 30 sets ofthe unique controls to be built.
The system is compatible with all majorkarts, meaning they can be transported todifferent centres for race days, whereinjured personnel and veterans can gohead-to-head with their friends.
Once the initiative is fully up and running,Kart Force hopes to stage regimentalevents as well as international challengesinvolving injured personnel from the UK,USA, Canada, Russia, France and Israel.They also believe there is scope for anInter-Services competition.
David said: “The response so far has beenfantastic. We are now encouraging peopleto contact us so we can really start to movethings forward.”
Kart Force was launched at the Whilton Milltrack in Northamptonshire where FormulaThree ace James Cole put the new controlsthrough their paces on the circuit.
“The kart has a very good feel, the throttleis very responsive and the brakes are greatas well,” he explained. “It does have adifferent style to normal karts due to thehandle bars. When your mind is used to
something [the steering wheel] it takes awhile to adjust, but after a few laps on thetrack it was great. “
“I think this is a fantastic idea. As racingdrivers we experience these speeds all thetime. For injured personnel and veterans tohave the same opportunities is brilliant.”
How does it work?
• The steering wheel is replaced with a system similar to the handlebars on a motorcycle so the kart can be driven one-handed.
• The throttle cable can be attached to either side of the handlebars, meaningsomeone who has had an amputation is able to race.
• A hydraulic braking system can also beswitched from left to right, depending on driver specification.
• The Kart Force controls allow injured personnel to race against their colleagues
Editors Note: This article was originallypublished in the Soldier magazine.
Ticket to ride
Contacts
Double amputee Guardsman in a very impressive fullthrottle overtaking manouevre on a bend
Any injured or disabled veteran cancontact Kart Force whether they wereinjured in or after ServiceFor further information on KartForce call0118 983 6092 visit www.kartforce.org
karts help wounded troops hit the track
18
The Armed Services Advice Project(ASAP) has been created to be a focalpoint for the Armed Forces Communityin Scotland for access to advice,information and support.
It provides help on a range of issuesincluding benefits, debt, and housing, andhas links with many organisations servingthe Armed Forces Community.
ASAP is provided by the Scottish CitizensAdvice Bureau Service, a highly trustednetwork with decades of experiencedelivering a free, independent, confidentialand impartial advice and informationservice to the general public.
ASAP is available to support Serving andex-Serving personnel, both Regular andReserve, and their families. It also offerssupport to members of the Merchant Navywho have served in a commercial vessel insupport of legally defined UK militaryoperations and their families.
New advice service reapingsuccess for Scottish veterans Since launching last July, ASAP has helped over 270 clients with more than 700 issues
ASAP provides help on a range of issues including benefits, debt, and housingThe project is funded by:Poppyscotland, the Royal Air ForceBenevolent Fund, The MaritimeCharities Funding Group, ABF theSoldiers’ Charity, Soldiers, Sailors,Airmen and Families Association –Forces Help (SSAFA Forces Help), TheRobertson Trust and Turn2us.
Richard Lord, Regional Support Officer forthe Lanarkshire region, referred to in thecase study
ASAP in action - Working with projectpartners to support clients
The Secretary of the local SSAFA branch inMotherwell and Wishaw referred a client,a veteran with a number of years’ service,to the local ASAP Regional SupportOfficer.
The client’s wife is severely disabled andrequires full-time care from her husband.Approximately two years ago, theyapplied for Attendance Allowance, butwere unsuccessful.
Following discussions with the SSAFABranch Secretary, arrangements weremade for the ASAP Regional SupportOfficer to meet with the clients and assistthem in completing a fresh application.The application was then submitted tothe Department of Work and Pensionsbefore Christmas 2010.
As a result, in January this year, the clientwas awarded High Rate AttendanceAllowance of £71.40 a week, backdated to18 October 2010.
The client was pleased with this result,thanking SSAFA for referring them toASAP, saying “I am deeply appreciative ofyour kindness and patience”. He alsothanked the Regional Support Officer forhis patience and assistance with the forms.
ContactsTo access the service call the helpline,covering all of Scotland on 0845 231 0300, email [email protected],or call in to your local Citizens AdviceBureau.
You can also find further information atwww.cas.org.uk
19Issue 19 April 2011
Doing Life DifferentlyNew toolkits available to support disabled veterans live independently
ContactsThe publications can be downloadedfree of charge from www.radar.org.ukFor more information on the DoingLife Differently series call 0207 250 3222 or e-mail [email protected]
Written by and for people living with ill-health, injury or disability, the DoingLife Differently series looks at new waysof progressing careers, managingmoney and getting the best fromInformation Technology (IT).
DOING LIFE DIFFERENTLY is a series ofthree publications produced by the RoyalAssociation for Disability Rights (Radar).Each publication is a toolkit packed withadvice from people living with ill-health,injury or disability, to help others takecontrol of their lives and make the most ofnew opportunities.
Radar is the Royal Association for DisabilityRights. It is a pan-disability organisationled by people with lived experience ofdisability or health conditions. Its vision isa just and equal society whose strength ishuman difference and their mission is toenable individuals, networks and policy-makers to do things differently – andbetter. Radar work with them in broadpartnerships to have the widest impact.Designing disability In to business,products and policies from the outsetresults in better workplaces and servicesfor all. Radar has the solutions that canmake Britain work better for everyone.
The three publications currently inthe series are:
Doing Work Differently (DWD)
Exploring practical solutions to realquestions related to work, DWDoffers positive, simple solutions.DWD provides real life examplesfrom people who have found work,new ways of doing their current job,or a new career. DWD can help thereader overcome barriers associatedwith work, suggesting where to seekadvice, and showing how smalladjustments such as flexible hours canmake a big difference.
Doing Money Differently (DMD)
Exploring new ways of making, savingand looking after money, DMD discussesways of assessing a person’s income inrelation to their costs. It deals withwhere to keep money, and what to do ifthey are in debt. Based on personalexperiences, DMD is a toolkit to helppeople understand money better andreduce the amount of time spent thinkingand worrying about it.
Radar is not qualified to give financialadvice and this publication shouldonly be seen as a money toolkit.
Doing IT Differently (DITD)
DITD can help the reader choose acomputer, adapt it to their needs, andfind ways to take advantage of newtechnologies. It looks at what helpand options are available to makecomputers more accessible, such asaffordable voice recognition or mind-mapping software, and contains real-life examples of how people haveovercome IT barriers with very simplesolutions. DITD can help make a realdifference to life at home and work.
Radar is now working on the fourthpublication - Doing Careers Differently.
“Doing WorkDifferently isstraight talking,informative andwritten as if it wereyour mate, someonethat cares.” Darren,43, Dudley
20
FAB is an activity based holiday forbereaved military families supported byan MOD volunteer scheme. It’s a non-publicly funded, tri-Service charitableinitiative in partnership with the YouthHostel Association (YHA).
FAMILIES are provided with anadventurous holiday experience within asafe and nurturing environment in order toencourage self-confidence, resilience andpeer support while having fun. It providesan opportunity for the military communityto offer practical and emotional support tobereaved families in times of need. Any military family where a child aged
under 19 years of age (in exceptionalcircumstances older participants will beconsidered) has been bereaved by the lossof a loved one who was serving in theArmed Forces is eligible to participate inFAB. Full details on eligibility are availableon the website.
FAB relies on volunteers from all threeServices and MOD Civil Servants. Withoutthe volunteers FAB would not exist. Toapply or find out more details visit thewebsite.
Making a difference
Amanda Brumpton attended a FAB Campwith her two children, Amy and Connor:
“The FAB Camp meant we could feel like anormal family again with people whounderstand because they’re going throughthe same awful experience, but that gaveus a bond and hopefully lasting friendshipsso we can continue to support each otheras we did that week.
“To meet widows my age was so helpful, aswidows are so often thought of as oldladies who have raised their children butwe’re suddenly left with grieving childrento raise alone. To spend time with peoplein the same situation was invaluable, torealise you’re not alone, that the othermums feel guilty too when they can’t split
themselves into two parents, and thatyou’re not a terrible mum when you stillshout at your children after all they’ve beenthrough. We sat and shared our stories, wecried and laughed together, but it wasdefinitely not a sad week.
“To look at us on our days out, or satsharing a bottle of wine at night I don’tthink you could have guessed why we werethere. We raised a few curious eyebrows aswe wandered around Flamingo Land in ourbright orange tee shirts, but what afantastic feeling it was to be part of such anamazing group.
“You could also see this in the children too,to be able to play with and talk to otherchildren who had also lost their dads,other children who understood. It waswonderful to see my daughter smile againand make friends, hear my son talk topeople about his dad. And what anamazing feeling to hear your childrenlaugh out loud again.
“We arrived a sad, broken family who’d losttheir smiles, and laughed our way througha week of fun, I went from someone whohad lost all her confidence to going on liveradio, and the last night when we allcelebrated our week, showed how far we’dall come and gave us a glimpse of hope fora future.
“We made amazing friends and fantasticmemories which I didn’t think we’d ever doagain it was truly a FAB week, and we can’twait for the next one.”
Family Activity Breaks (FAB) for bereaved Service familiesFAB Camps helping to bring smiles back to bereaved children
For Amy and Connor, FAB gave them chance totalk about their dad with other children whounderstood their loss.
Amanda Brumpton (centre) interviewed by Radio 5 Live Presenter Lesley Ashmall (left), alsopictured Captain Karen Tait, FAB
ContactsFor further information visitwww.fabcamps.org.uk to find out aboutapplying for a FAB camp or volunteering.
“We arrived a sad,broken familywho’d lost theirsmiles, and laughedour way through aweek of fun”
See page 22 for further details on the website
21Issue 19 April 2011
SPVA NewsThe regular feature providing you withupdates from the Service Personnel andVeterans Agency
Defence Minister visits the Agency
IN January The Minister for DefencePersonnel, Welfare and Veterans, AndrewRobathan MP, paid tribute to staffworking in support of the Armed Forces inAfghanistan during a visit to the SPVAoffices at Imjin Barracks, near Gloucester .
The Minister visited the Agency’s MedalOffice which over the last year has issuedsome 44,000 medals to Service personneland veterans. He saw at first hand theresearch necessary to confirm entitlement,as well as the preparation, engraving,cleaning and dispatch of medals to theirrightful recipients.
The Minister also visited SPVA’s JointCasualty and Compassionate Centre(JCCC) and talked to personnel dealingwith some of the 90,000 calls the centrereceives each year. The JCCC’s
operations room receives information onall UK Armed Forces casualties (bothinjuries and deaths) from around theworld, including operations inAfghanistan, and ensures the families ofthose involved are quickly informed andoffered appropriate support. Wheredeath has occurred, JCCC staff alsosupport the families of those involved byproviding advice on funeral entitlements,arranging the marking of Service gravesand assisting the executor with resolutionof the deceased’s estate.
Mr Robathan also saw how the JCCCauthorises and arranges immediate travelback to the UK for servicemen and womenin the event of a family crisis such as thesudden hospitalisation of an immediatefamily member.
Ilford Park - Retaining a Pole position inDevon
The Service Personnel and VeteransAgency released the fourth in its series ofvideos highlighting a variety of items ofinterest to the service and veteranscommunity.
In the latest edition of ‘Veterans Today’,presenter Don Goldie takes viewers on atour of Ilford Park Polish Home.
Situated just a few miles from NewtonAbbot in Devon, the home providesresidential and nursing care for those whoqualify for admission under the 1947Polish Resettlement Act.
This historic establishment, administeredby SPVA, has been home to a thrivingPolish community for over 60 years. Thehome was founded as a result of apromise made by Winston Churchill to thePolish people during the Second WorldWar.
Update of the Veterans Welfare Centrerollout
Last year, saw the roll-out of the five newVeterans Welfare Centres completed. TheVeterans Welfare Service provides one-to-one advice and support to Veterans acrossthe UK. Around 13,000 home visits areundertaken each year.
The service provides advice on manytopics with the most common beingfinances, benefits, accommodation, socialservices and dealing with disability issues.
In the latest SPVA podcast release, ClareEllis interviews Alan Mayers, Officer inCharge of the Veterans Welfare Service,about the work of the Veterans WelfareCentres based across the UK.
All SPVA social media products can befound on the social media hub,visit: www.veterans-uk.info
The contact details for each office are:
Norcross (based near Blackpool)Tel 01253 333494Email [email protected]
Kidderminster (based in Worcester)Tel 01562 825527Email [email protected]
Centurion (based in Gosport)Tel 02392 [email protected]
Imjin (based in Gloucester)Tel 01452 510825Email [email protected]
GlasgowTel 0141 2242709Email [email protected]
article number 1 images available
Lt Col (Rtd) Peter Lockyer (Left) with AndrewRobathan MP (right) at the SPVA Medal Officeat Imjin Barracks
Andrew Robathan MP (right) and Lt Col (Rtd)Peter Lockyer watch a medal being engraved
ContactsIf you are supporting a veteran andneed further advice, contact our Welfare Service to see if we canhelp too.
To locate your nearest VeteransWelfare Centre call our freephonehelpline 0800 169 2277.
Service Personnel & Veterans Agency
22
Veterans World Noticeboard
In January, Families’ Activity Breaks(FAB) launched their new website and2011 holiday application forms (FAB11) for both families and volunteers.
The family friendly website –www.fabcamps.org.uk – containsmany features including how to getinvolved, and access to their onlineshop. See the feature on FAB in page20
Poppyscotland website revamped
FAB new website
Poppyscotland, the charity thatsupports ex-Service people and theirfamilies living in Scotland, hasrelaunched its website, featuring newand exciting ways to engage withsupporters all year round.
UNVEILED in time for the 2010 ScottishPoppy Appeal,www.poppyscotland.org.uk boasts acompletely new design with a fresh,vibrant layout and easy navigation. The site also features excitingopportunities to engage with the publicthrough social media, such as Facebook,Twitter and YouTube. The Facebook page
allows Poppyscotland to communicatedirectly with supporters through dailyposts and is proving extremely popular,attracting almost 6,000 followers over thepast few months. An online shop enablessupporters to purchase from a new rangeof branded merchandise and show theirsupport all year round, while thePoppyscotland blog aims to generatediscussion and interaction.
The charity’s two main activities,charitable services and fundraising,appear in two distinct areas on thewebsite to help users find informationrelevant to them, as well as offering easy
ways for individuals to get in touch. TheGet Help section highlights the year-round work Poppyscotland carries out insupport of veterans, from providingdirect financial support to individuals togiving grants to organisations that deliverspecialist services to veterans. The GetInvolved section offers an opportunity forsupporters to engage with the charity allyear round, through volunteering,donating, attending an event or creatingtheir own events.
ContactsTo find out more; visitwww.poppyscotland.org.uk where youcan also access all their social media links.
Poppyscotland provides year-roundsupport to ex-Service men, women andtheir families living in Scotland. Moneyraised through the Scottish PoppyAppeal and year-round fund-raisingevents and activities is used to providesupport in the following ways:
Direct financial assistance toindividuals, through one-off and annualgrants, helping to meet immediatefinancial need. Last year Poppyscotlandgave a total of £791,930 to 1,400people. Grants to organisations thatdeliver specialist services to veterans,such as Combat Stress and Erskine. Lastyear, Poppyscotland gave over £1million to 13 organisations.
The National Veterans Events Calendar holds details of events to beheld across the UK, from reunions to advice days, Armed ForcesDay to air shows.
It is a free service. Simply complete and submit an online application form; the details will then beentered on to the calendar.
The National Calendar can be found at:www.veterans-uk.info
If you don’t have access to the Internet and wishto submit an event please call0800 169 2277 and provide details.
ADVERTISE YOUR EVENT FOR FREE
Service Personnel & Veterans Agency
SPVA Veterans UK National Calendar of events
Two supporters at last year’s national event at Cardiff. Where will you be on Armed Forces Day? See page 11
