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Issue 31 March 2014

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3Issue 31 March 2014

Challenging the hidden woundsEarly intervention service for veteranscommunity

Normandy 70MOD announces plans to commemorate70th anniversary of Normandy Landings

Veteran mentorsShoulder to Shoulder project recruitsvolunteers

Funding support for ScottishveteransLIBOR boost to council partnership

RegularsNews in BriefSPVA News

IN THIS ISSUE7

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Veterans WORLD is distributed to those who work in an advisoryrole.Editor: Clare EllisEmail: SPVA-VeteransWorld@mod.uk

Want to make an editorial contribution?Contributions are most welcome.To raise awareness of an initiative, scheme or organisation that offershelp, advice or support to veterans, contact the Editorial Team by email:SPVA-VeteransWorld@mod.uk or by calling: 01253 338816

For distribution enquiriesEmail: SPVA-VeteransWorld@mod.uk or call: 01253 338811

For information relating to War Pension/AFCS claims please call ourHelpline 0808 1914 2 18

© Crown copyright 2014

For advertising opportunities please contact:SPVA-VeteransWorld@mod.uk

Front cover: New Veterans UK Helpline numberlaunched - see page 10

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

Contents Issue 31March 2014

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4

News in briefFrom October2013, HaigHomes and HaigHousing Trustamalgamatedand the

organisation is now known as HaigHousing.

Haig Housing is the leadingprovider of housing assistance for theService and ex-Service Communityand is the Strategic Housing Partnerof Help for Heroes. The main focus ofthe Trust is the provision of a range ofgood quality general needs rentedproperty throughout the UK. TheTrust also advises on housing optionsand gives specialist assistance toseverely wounded and disabledService and ex-Service personnel onadaptations, property purchase andhas a Shared Ownership Scheme forthose with Armed ForcesCompensation Funds.www.haighousing.org.uk

A Derbyshire coach company isencouraging veterans to apply for newdriving vacancies after National Expresspledged to guarantee job interviews forService leavers.

Heanor-based YourBus, whichoperates around a hundred services onbehalf of National Express, has drivingvacancies on offer and Driver TrainingOfficer Peter Jones is particularly keen forex-Service personnel to apply.

This follows a groundbreakingpromise made by the UK’s largest coachoperator to interview all Service leaversfor its driving roles. Earlier this year,National Express became the firstcompany in the country to sign thegovernment’s Corporate Covenant, acommitment to support people who haveserved in the Armed Forces, put in placeto ensure nobody faces disadvantage incivilian life through having served.

All people – whether ex-Service or not– are welcome to apply for the roles, butveterans are eligible for a guaranteedinterview for the roles.

Veterans simply need to meetminimum criteria including holding a validPCV license and, for safety reasons, livingwithin an hour of the depot.

While a guaranteed interview doesnot automatically mean a guaranteed job,it is hoped the chance to be interviewedprofessionally with constructive feedback,gives a valuable leg-up to ex-Servicepersonnel, many of whom will not havehad an interview since joining the Forces.

Candidates can apply via the websitesat www.ctp.org.uk,www.catchyourbus.co.uk,or in writing to YourBus, Heanor Gate Road, Heanor Gate IndustrialEstate, Heanor, Derbyshire, DE75 7RJ, ortelephone 01773 549093.

Haig Housing Coach company recruiting for Service leavers

The ReMemBrIn StudyVeterans areinvited to takepart in a researchstudy on headinjuries.

Rehabilitation of Memory following BrainInjures (ReMemBrIn) is a scientific studyinvestigating the effectiveness of memoryrehabilitation for civilians and militarypersonnel with memory problemsfollowing traumatic brain injury. The studyis being coordinated by Dr Roshan dasNair (Nottingham University Hospitals NHSTrust) and Professor Nadina Lincoln(University of Nottingham).

The study looks to see how much therehabilitation programme helps peoplewith memory problems followingtraumatic brain injury and will hopefullyimprove treatment for these individuals inthe future.

Around six per cent of patients areadmitted to Accident and Emergency

departments in the UK as a result of a headinjury. A study in the United States alsofound that 25 per cent of soldiersexperienced a head injury during theirArmy career. Following this type of injury, alot of these people will find that they havelong lasting problems with their memory,affecting their life in a negative way.

The study is comparing a memoryrehabilitation programme with currentclinical care. It will assess the usefulness ofmemory rehabilitation in reducingproblems with memory and in addition,how much it would cost to the NHS toprovide such a service. The study hascentres in Nottingham, Leicester, Derby,Birmingham, Chester and Liverpool. Thestudy is sponsored by NottinghamUniversity Hospitals NHS Trust and isfunded by the National Institute of HealthResearch.

Any veterans who would like further information can contact Mrs Sandip Stapleton (Trial Manager) on 0115 8844930 orsandip.stapleton@nottingham.ac.ukhttp://www.remembrin.org/

New HorticulturalTherapy ServiceHighGround, the charity which providesland-based career advice andopportunities for veterans hasannounced the appointment of CarolSales as its first Horticultural Therapist.Based at the Defence MedicalRehabilitation Centre (DMRC) atHeadley Court, Carol will provide a year-round service to a delegatedcaseload of patients with a range ofminor to complex needs.

Carol has excellent credentials forher new post, having been involved inhorticulture for more than 30 years. Shesaid, “I feel greatly honoured to havebeen given this role with HighGroundand I want to see the people I work withget really hooked and so absorbed thatthey want to do more.”

Anna Baker Cresswell, HighGroundDevelopment Director said, “I amthrilled to welcome Carol to theHighGround team and can’t wait to getstarted.”

The new role has been madepossible with funding from ABF theSoldiers’ Charity and the WestminsterFoundation, to provide a HorticulturalTherapy service for DMRC’s patients. www.highground-uk.org

5Issue 31 March 2014

Crawley is backing a national campaignto make sure the Armed ForcesCommunity are given the warmest ofwelcomes with the support of localbusinesses across the town.

The Heroes Welcome scheme aims toraise awareness of and support for theArmed Forces community and highlightthe outstanding contribution they maketo this country.

The initiative first started inScarborough when a few local businessesgrouped together in order to offervisiting Service personnel specialdiscounts. It’s now backed by over 500businesses in a growing network oftowns and cities across the UnitedKingdom.

The scheme, which officiallylaunched in Crawley in November,

encourages local businesses to display awindow sticker showing they are happyto offer a discount, service upgrade orspecial acknowledgement to militarypersonnel on production of an ID card orveterans’ badge.

Crawley’s participation in the schemeis one of the first actions from itsCommunity Covenant, signed at theArmed Forces Day event in July 2013.

Retailers and organisations can giveas much or as little support toServicemen and women as they’re able,be it a discount or simply a warmwelcome.

Organisations interested incommitting to the scheme shouldcontact Toby Shaw on 01293 438655 oremail toby.shaw@crawley.gov.uk

The Forces in Mind Trust (FiMT) isfunding the Directory of Social Change(DSC) to conduct an independent andcomprehensive review of the militarycharity sector, and to produce anauthoritative online Guide to the MilitaryCharity Sector.

There is currently no singleindependent source of information oncharities in the UK that cater for servingand ex-Service personnel and theirfamilies – known as the Armed ForcesCommunity. The recently publishedTransition Mapping Study, and otherstudies, have highlighted a number ofareas where this lack of understandingcauses confusion, affecting policymakers, funders and the charitiesthemselves, as well as those individualmembers of the Armed ForcesCommunity who are seeking help.

The DSC/FiMT Guide will include: abreakdown and analysis of moneyraised; good practice; distribution offunding for grant-making versus servicedelivery; types of organisations withinthe sector; an analysis of geographicaldistribution of support versus need;performance comparisons with othersectors and contact information. www.fim-trust.org/

Major new researchproject into militarycharities unveiled

Crawley veterans benefit from welcome scheme

On Friday November 8, Her Majesty TheQueen, SSAFA’s Patron, accompanied byHis Royal Highness The Duke ofEdinburgh, formally opened the newheadquarters of SSAFA at QueenElizabeth House, St Dunstan's Hill,London.

The Queen and The Duke werereceived by His Royal Highness PrinceMichael of Kent, President of SSAFA,who presented General Sir KevinO'Donoghue, Chairman of SSAFA.

The Royal party were told of thecurrent work of the charity beforeattending a reception where guestsincluded beneficiaries, volunteers andstaff from across SSAFA’s range ofservices.

The Queen unveiled a plaque tomark the opening and was presentedwith a badge to mark the 60 years ofHer Majesty's support as Patron.www.ssafa.org.uk

New HQ for SSAFA

South East Reserve Forces’ and Cadets’Association (SERFCA), based in Aldershot,Hampshire, offer support to veterans andcurrent members of the Reserve Forcesfrom all three Services. This includesmembers of the Royal Navy, the RoyalMarines, the Army, the Royal Air Force,and Cadets, including all their adultvolunteers, in the South East Region ofthe UK.

In 2013, the Association went a stepfurther developing and introducing aninnovative employment web site calledJobs4Reservists.

The web site is set up to support allthose Reservists who are seekingemployment and put them together withemployers who have vacancies to fill.

Ex-Service personnel or veterans mayalso apply for jobs on the site which isfree to use for both employers and job-seeking reservists or veterans.

Fred Hughes, SERFCA’s CorporateCommunications Officer based at SeelyHouse said, “If you are an ex-Servicemanor woman, reservist or veteran, who islooking for a job, then visit the site andtake a look, if you are an employer thesite is free to advertise.”

He added, “So far we have had somevery positive feedback and to date wehave advertised over 1,000 jobs, and hitson the site are increasing each week.”

If you are interested in finding out morevisit www.jobs4reservists.org.uk

www.crawley.gov.uk/heroeswelcome

Jobs4Reservists and Veterans go live on newweb site

“. . . to date we haveadvertised over 1,000jobs, and hits on the siteare increasing eachweek.”

6

Cruse Bereavement Care has beengranted funding by the Ministry ofDefence to develop and raiseawareness of bereavement servicesavailable for the Military Family.

THE BEREAVEMENT IN THEMILITARY FAMILY PROJECT willsupport bereaved Serving personnel,their families and the veteranscommunity.

Cruse Bereavement Care is aregistered charity offeringbereavement support, advice andinformation to children, youngpeople and adults. Working toenhance society’s care of bereavedpeople, their services are free ofcharge and are available bytelephone, online and face to face.Supporting anyone who has beenbereaved wherever or however thedeath has occurred, all services aredelivered by trained bereavementvolunteers through 70 Areas andBranches including the NationalHelpline.

The two-year project is being

funded by the Armed ForcesCovenant LIBOR Fund. The intentionof the LIBOR Fund is to support thetwo key principles of the ArmedForces Covenant, which are that theArmed Forces Community should notface disadvantage in the provision ofpublic and commercial services, andthat special consideration isappropriate in some cases, especiallyfor those who have given most, suchas the injured and the bereaved.

Cruse Chief Executive, DebbieKerslake said: “The death of a lovedone is devastating, no matter whatthe circumstances, and a militarybereavement brings with it manyadditional factors that can complicatethe bereavement process. We aredelighted that Cruse is now able tobuild on its existing Military work anddevelop new training and resourcesto support all areas of the MilitaryFamily”.

The project will:• train more volunteers to support

bereaved Military Family members;

• develop and distribute self help bereavement resources across the

Military Family; and• pilot a peer support moduletraining Military Family members tosupport each other.

Bereavement support forthe Military FamilyProject aimed at supporting the bereaved

Amersham Cruse bereavementsupport group

Support is provided by telephone,online and face-to-face meetings

“A militarybereavementbrings with itmany additionalfactors that cancomplicate thebereavementprocess.”

email

Web

Twitter

Phone 0844 477 9400

www.cruse.org.uk

helpline@cruse.org.uk

@CruseCare

Facebookwww.facebook.com/pages/Cruse-Bereavement-Care/54500061511

Photo © Jacky Chapm

an

Over the two-year period the projectwill expand its services supportingbereaved serving personnel, theirfamilies and the ex-Servicecommunity. Training morevolunteers to support the militaryfamily, expanding the online sectionof their website alongside anextensive distribution of self-helpresources to military familymembers. They will also be piloting apeer-to-peer support service.

Photo © Jacky Chapm

an

7Issue 31 March 2014

Help for Heroes is launching a newearly intervention service which willhelp veterans and their families whoare suffering from the earlysymptoms of potentially moreserious mental health injuries.

HELP FOR HEROES is alsoallocating £4.8 million to the newservice and has been granted £2.7 million over five years to helpfund the project.

The new Help for Heroes HiddenWounds psychological supportprogramme provides a crucialenhancement to treatment alreadyavailable and will help identify andtreat symptoms such as stress,depression and anxiety before theydevelop into more serious mentalhealth conditions.

Help for Heroes is working inpartnership with Exeter UniversityCEDAR Centre to develop specifictreatment plans for the Forces whichwill be used at Help for Heroes HiddenWounds Centres.

Immediate and specialist supportwhich recognises the culture andunique challenges faced by the

military will offer treatment to helpprevent a decline into chronic mentalillnesses. For mental illnesses requiringhigh-intensity treatment such as PTSD,existing high-intensity supportprovided by Combat Stress and theNHS will be used.

The new service will be availableto all veterans of the Armed Forces andtheir family members and the familymembers/ carers of serving personnel.Those who are serving are offeredmental health support by the ArmedForces.

Bryn Parry, Co-Founder and CEO ofHelp for Heroes said:

“It can take real courage to accesssupport for mental injuries and theHelp for Heroes Hidden Woundsprogramme is designed to offer easilyaccessible and friendly support whichprevents a spiral of decline. Those whohave remained at home while theirloved one is serving face similarchallenges and this new service willoffer them access to specialist supportthey so desperately need.”

Ali Richmond, the wife of awounded veteran, said:

“As the wife of someone who waswounded I know that Service affectsthe whole family, whether it isworrying if they will be alright or if it isworrying about how you and yourchildren are coping. This new servicewill provide somewhere to turn and avital life-line for the families of thosewho serve and those who haveserved.”

Professor Neil Greenberg,Academic Centre for Defence MentalHealth, King’s College London, said:

“This programme will engage withveterans, and their families, early anddeliver evidence based support froman organisation that they trust. Thenew service will also gather scientificevidence to allow it to develop bestpractice guidelines for this importantgroup of people.”

The service will launch later thisyear.

Healing Hidden Wounds£2.7 million LIBOR funding for new mental wellbeing support

“This new servicewill provide

somewhere to turnand a vital life-linefor the families

of those who serve and those whohave served.”

Facebook

Web

YouTube

Phone 01980 844224

www.facebook.com/HelpforHeroesOfficial

www.youtube.com/user/HelpforHeroesTV

Twitter @HelpforHeroes

www.helpforheroes.org.uk

The Hidden Wounds programme will support members of the Armed Forcescommunity including families

8

It’s been a busy first year for theVeterans in Communities (VIC)charity, topped off with the openingof its own centre

VETERANS, serving personnel andtheir families now have new help andsupport offered across East Lancashireand Rochdale.

VIC took over their new centre inRossendale on Armistice Day.Manager Bob Elliott said: “Having apermanent home helps us to reallyestablish and expand our services.The work we have pioneered inRossendale has given us an amazingplatform to be able to spread outacross many different areas.

“Now we have a proper base wecan have rooms dedicated to the workof VIC. Our successful art group canhave its own room, without having toclear the work and paints away aftereach session.”

VIC has secured the funding fromthe East Lancashire ClinicalCommissioning Group to help developoutreach in a number of areas. Morehelp will soon be offered in Pendle,Accrington, Blackburn and Darwenand Ribble Valley to complementestablished services in Rossendale andHeywood.

Outreach in Heywood has beenfurther supported by a Lottery “AwardsFor All” grant which will enable theservice to be expanded in 2014.

Veterans In Communities has alsoopened a drop-in at Burnley Retreat

and Recover Centre on HammertonStreet, which is run every Tuesdayfrom 10am to 1pm.

It is manned by veterans PeterWebster and Danny Flaherty, both ofwhom have a wealth of experienceand are currently taking a Level ThreeInformation Advice and Guidancecollege course.

Peter, 43, is a former militarymusician. He played French horn inthe Queen Royal Irish Hussars and leftthe Forces in 1997 but has struggledto hold down a full-time job.

The transition between army life inthe Royal Ordnance Corps and CivvyStreet also proved a stumbling blockfor Danny. He was discharged onmedical grounds in 1991 with PostTraumatic Stress Disorder and,although he is a trained carpenter andjoiner, is still looking for work.

Peter said: “We can help peoplewho have transitional issues and cansignpost them to where they canreceive help and we can offer supportfor people who are seekingemployment.

“The SPVA Veterans WelfareService, Burnley Veterans’ AssociationUK and Burnley and District Services’Club are also here, so people can gethelp with issues like housing and alsoget involved with the social side.

“As well as offering outreach, anyveteran and their family will be able toaccess the other activities offered byVIC; including fishing, walks and an artclub.

“Joining VIC helps members tackledifficulties they may have withconfidence, self esteem andmotivation.”

Accolade for new charity

Veterans In Communities won thenon profit making category at theprestigious Rossendale BusinessAwards in November.

Award sponsors said theorganisation had ‘hit the groundrunning’ and achieved an incredibleamount in a very short space of time.

Strength to StrengthEast Lancashire veterans’ charity expands outreach

The Opening of the VIC centre in Burnley

VIC members visiting Lee Quarry

email

Web

Phone 07961 554 006

info@veteransincommunities.org

Facebook www.facebook.com/VeteransInCommunities

www.veteransincommunities.org

A recent VIC art exhibition

9Issue 31 March 2014

Legion invites veterans to ‘Pop In’Armed Forces Minister “pops in” to Merseyside to celebrate newimproved Legion services

The Minister of State for the ArmedForces, Rt Hon Mark Francois MP,formally opened The Royal BritishLegion’s new public “Pop In” Adviceand Information Centre in the heartof the city centre.

BASED on Williamson Street inLiverpool, it is the first of 16 brandnew centres that the Legion will openin major cities across the UK, as part ofits biggest ever transformation tobring its work closer to the ArmedForces community. Each centre willoffer a welcoming space for Servicepersonnel and veterans to getpractical help and advice, and formembers of the public to find outmore about the wide range of servicesand community activities provided bythe Legion. The Legion has also madeoffice space available to partnercharities Combat Stress and theRegular Forces EmploymentAssociation (RFEA). Through thiscollaborative approach the aim is toprovide a more seamless beneficiaryservice.

To coincide with the opening, theLegion also announced a new nationalFreephone helpline number, 0808 802 8080, which will allowpeople to get help and support from a

trained adviser over the phone, as wellas the launch of a new onlineinformation service via its website.

During the event, the Minister metcurrent and former Service personnel,Legion beneficiaries, staff, membersand volunteers. Mr Francois said “Thisis an area with a very strong Servicetradition and currently over half amillion veterans live in and around thisregion, so the demand for this serviceis not in question.

"The Legion does a remarkable joband offers tangible proof of what canbe achieved when communities worktogether. The Royal British Legion hasbecome an effective first point ofcontact by making its services moreimmediately accessible and is workingalongside other welfare serviceproviders and Armed Forces charitiesin the best interests of the ArmedForces community. The range ofpractical advice and support availablethrough this new facility is extremelyimpressive.”

Gillian McKinnon, the Legion’sManager for Cheshire and Merseyside,added: “Both nationally and locally, theLegion recognises that the profile ofour beneficiaries is constantlychanging and that we must continue

to improve our services to reflect thatneed.

“Being able to pick up a phone toa trained adviser via our brand newnational Freephone number, alsolaunched from today; looking onlinefor information; or coming along to anoffice like this where they can talk faceto face, represents major progress.

“My team is totally committed toproviding the best possible service forthe Armed Forces community, pastand present, in Cheshire andMerseyside. From today it will beeasier than ever before for people tofind the help and support they needso if you want to know more, pleasedo “Pop In”.”

A further 15 Legion “Pop In” Adviceand Information Centres will openduring 2014.

YouTube

Web

Phone

Twitter

www.britishlegion.org.uk

@PoppyLegion

Facebook www.facebook.com/OfficialPoppyLegion

0808 802 8080

www.youtube.com/royalbritishlegion

The Liverpool ‘Pop In’ centre is the first Legion centre to open in 2014

“. . . it will be easier thanever before for people tofind the help andsupport they need so ifyou want to know more,please do “Pop In”.”

The Legion’s new “Pop In” Advice andInformation Centre to serve theCheshire and Merseyside area isbased at 25 – 31 Williamson Street,Liverpool L1 1EB. Its normal hours ofopening will be Monday – Fridayfrom 10am – 4 pm.

10

Ready for your callNew and Improved Services from Veterans UK HelplineSPVA’s Veterans UK helpline haschanged its freephone* telephonenumber. The new number 0808 1914 2 18 includes key datesof the Great War - 1914 to 1918. It ishoped that the link to such anhistoric event will create a morememorable number in the 100thanniversary year of the First WorldWar.

TO COINCIDE with the recentannouncements on improvingsupport for veterans from DefenceMinister Anna Soubry [see page12],the Veterans UK helpline has madesignificant changes to improve theservices it provides to veterans andthe wider veterans community.

As well as the new morememorable number, the Veterans UKhelpline has also extended its openinghours to take calls in the early eveningand outside of normal business hoursThe helpline is now open from 0730 to1830 (1700 Fridays) on all workingdays.

Previously, those calling thehelpline out of hours would getthrough to an answer phone serviceenabling a message to be left andadvising of a next working day call-back.

Now SPVA, as part of the newimprovements is working inpartnership with Combat Stress andwith the Samaritans, whose helplinesoperates 24-hours 7-days a week. Thisnew formed partnership will allowout-of-hours callers to the SPVAVeterans UK helpline to opt to berouted to Combat Stress or theSamaritans; providing callers in needaccess to help out of hours.

Jon Parkin, SPVA Head of Veteransservices, said: “We are constantlystriving to improve our services toveterans, the new more memorablenumber, extended hours and thefacility to speak out of hours toCombat Stress or the Samaritanshelpline takes us further in better

supporting our veterans. We are verypleased to be working with theseother key partners to provide a betterservice to our customers.”

Peter Poole, Director of StrategicPlanning and Partnerships at CombatStress said: "Veterans in need ofsupport can have a variety of concernsthat need to be addressed, and theSPVA is an obvious place to turn formany of these.

"Working with the SPVA to makesure callers who need to speak toCombat Stress are put in touch with usis vital. Partnerships like this are key tomaking sure that serving personnel,veterans and their families get accessto the mental health support that theyneed."

The extended hours provide moreflexibility for veterans to contact SPVA

outside normal business hours

Web

Phone0808 1914 2 18Dedicated Bereavement Line0800 169 3458

www.veterans-uk.info

* Calls from mobiles may be charged depending on thecontract and network provider.

“. . . the new morememorable number,extended hours and

the facility to speak outof hours to

Combat Stress or theSamaritans helplinetakes us further in

better supporting ourveterans.”

“Partnerships like this are key to making

sure that servingpersonnel, veteransand their families getaccess to the mentalhealth support that

they need."

The Veterans UK Helpline handlesapproximately 16,000 phone callsand 1,900 emails per month fromveterans, their families orrepresentative in respect of a widerange of veterans related issues.

The advice requested through theVeterans UK Helpline ispredominantly focused on pensionsand compensation schemesadministered by SPVA and medalsconcerns; however, veterans do callto seek help on a wide range oftopics, some of whom are in urgentneed of help. During helplineopening hours, these callers arehelped by SPVA operators.

Issue 30 December 2013 11

12

The new £40 million VeteransAccommodation Fund willspecifically help fund projects thataddress a particular housing needfor the veterans community. Themoney is being used in support ofthe Armed Forces Covenant, whichseeks to ensure that the ArmedForces Community are notdisadvantaged as a result of theirService.

THE £40 million VeteransAccommodation Fund forms part ofthe spending announced by theChancellor in his Autumn Statement tosupport Military and EmergencyServices charities. The money for these projects comes from fines leviedon banks for manipulating the LIBOR,and comes on top of some £35 millionthat has already been spent from theLIBOR fund, in support of the ArmedForces Covenant. In his Autumn

Statement, the Chancellor said that, “it is right that money paid in fines by people who demonstrated theworst of the values in our society isnow being used to help and supportthose who demonstrate the very best".

The Fund will specifically seek tofund projects which support veteranswith a housing need, with a particularfocus on homeless veterans, veteranswho are wounded, injured and sick,and those with long term care needsor other social housing needs. Thissupport can take a number of forms,and it is expected that funding will goto support building new veterans’accommodation facilities, purchasingnew properties, leasing new propertiesand facilities, and providingrefurbishments for existing supportfacilities that are in need of upgrading.

Another important element of thenew scheme is the intention tosupport projects that promotecollaborative working across theveterans housing sector. Charities andother service providers bidding to theFund are encouraged to work togetherto help provide more comprehensiveand consistent support to veterans.The scheme is designed to supportveterans across the whole of the UK,and make sure that veterans in different parts of the country haveaccess to similar levels of support. Bypromoting a cross-UK approach andlinking charities in different parts ofthe country together, the Veterans’Accommodation Fund aims to forgenew, strong working relationshipsamongst charities, and encouragethem to share experience and bestpractice, to the benefit of the veteranscommunity.

New Veterans Accommod

Anna Soubry MP meets blind veteran Norman Perry

Government is establishing a new scheme to support housing needs

. . . it is only rightthat we help meettheir housingneeds when theyhave fallen onhard times, beenwounded inService or needday-to-day careand support oncethey have left theArmed Forces.

“

”

13Issue 31 March 2014

The Veterans Minister, AnnaSoubry, officially launched the schemelast month when she visited BlindVeterans UK in Brighton. During hervisit, the Minister said:

“The men and women of ourArmed Forces have served theircountry with honour and bravery so itis only right that we help meet theirhousing needs when they have fallenon hard times, been wounded inService or need day-to-day care andsupport once they have left the ArmedForces.

“I am delighted that we have beenable to double the amount we havealready invested in projects throughthe LIBOR fines. This new fundingdemonstrates our unwaveringcommitment to our Armed Forcescommunity and will help transformthousands of lives across the UK.”

The establishment of the newFund shows how important veterans’accommodation is to the government.The new Fund comes on top of LIBORmoney that has already been spent tosupport veterans’ housing needs.Charities such as Blind Veterans UK

are an organisation that exists toprovide care, training and support forex-Servicemen and women with sight loss, and their families havebenefitted from the funding. In 2013,they received £1 million in LIBORfunding to renovate and refurbish their existing accommodation inBrighton. Last year, Houses for HeroesScotland also received £1.94 million to build 38 special-needs houses inseven Scottish Local Authority areas.These houses will be allocated to theyounger disabled ex-Servicepersonnel, wounded in recentconflicts, and their families, providing them with low-rentedhomes for life and for the generationsthat follow.

Bidding to the Fund is now open,and bids can be submitted to thegov.uk website until Friday June 13,2014. Bids to the fund can be forprojects anywhere from £10,000 to £10 million which do not exceed twoyears in length. Successful bids will beannounced in August and September.For more information, visitwww.mod.uk/covenant

www.mod.uk/covenantWeb

odation Fund Announced

Anna Soubry MP meets blind veteran Sybil Henderson

Anna Soubry MP meets blind veteranJohn Cunnington at the Blind Veterans

UK centre in Brighton which isbenefitting from LIBOR funding

Bids to the fundcan be forprojectsanywhere from£10,000 to £10 million whichdo not exceed twoyears in length.

“

”

14

Veterans shaping unique lifestyle courseFunding boost for service helping Scottish veterans support each other

A Scottish charity is expanding itswork with ex-Servicemen andwomen, thanks to a funding boostfrom the Scottish Government.

THE THISTLE FOUNDATION, aHealth and Wellbeing charity, supportsveterans struggling with issues such asdepression, Post Traumatic StressDisorder (PTSD) and anxiety throughunique lifestyle management coursesand support sessions.

Alongside Thistle staff facilitators,veterans who have been through thecourse themselves, help deliver themto other ex-Servicemen and women.No one knows more about the issuesfacing a veteran than a fellow Servicemember who has first-hand militaryexperience.

Thistle created the programme byinvolving veterans in shaping thecourse to meet the specific and uniquechallenges and needs of ex-Servicemembers. It is based on the moregeneral lifestyle management coursesdeveloped by Thistle that aim to helpthose with long term health conditionslive the life they want.

The programme, which helpsveterans cope with moving on incivilian life, will now be able to doublethe number of veterans it works with,thanks to a grant of £155,877 over twoyears from the Scottish Government’sSelf Management Impact Fund,administered by the Health and SocialCare Alliance.

Diana Noel-Paton, Chief Executiveof the Thistle Foundation said: “TheVeterans Self Management Serviceworks because veterans are there foreach other. They can relate to eachother. And once they have completed itsuccessfully veterans go on to supportothers who are experiencing similarstruggles. We know that a ‘peersupport’ approach is hugely successfulas individuals can say ‘me too’ andshare how they coped with what wasgoing on in their lives.”

Brian Brown (46) is from the EastEnd of Glasgow where he grew up with his mum and four brothers and sisters.

Brian joined the Royal HighlandFusilliers when he was 18. His militaryhistory included two tours of NorthernIreland, dealing with the aftermath ofthe Lockerbie air disaster in 1989, postsin Belize and a post in Riyadh during the Gulf War. In 1994 he joined the Royal Scots and in 1998 he wasdischarged.

Brian was diagnosed with chronicPTSD and had a problem with alcohol.He was also suffering from cirrhosis ofthe liver. However, 18 months ago heheard about Thistle Foundation’sLifestyle Management course forveterans and he joined the course.Brian has given up alcohol and through the course he has learned how to deal with things. Brian nowhelps to co-facilitate courses as avolunteer.

It took 10 years for Brian’s PTSD to appear and he now wants to helpother veterans who are struggling.

Brian Brown is a co-facilitator on the courses supporting other veterans

“The VeteransSelf Management

Service worksbecause veteransare there for each

other.”

email

Web

Twitter

Phone 0131 656 9933

pat.mackinnon@thistle.org.uk

@thistlecharity

Facebook www.facebook.com/thistlefoundation

www.thistle.org.uk

15Issue 31 March 2014

Helping with stress the TRiM wayEnduring support for all Royal Marine veterans

A new project will provide a newtier of assistance to the RoyalMarines community.from theScottish Government.

THE Royal Marine veterancommunity, the Operational StressManagement (OSM) Cell of the NavalCommand, the Royal MarinesAssociation (RMA) and the RoyalMarines Charitable Trust Fund (RMCTF)have come together to support andimplement a new project called ‘T4V’(TRiM for Veterans). ‘TRiM’ (Trauma,Risk Management) has beenestablished in the Royal Marines forover 16 years.

James Fowler, TriM Practitioner forthe North West Region explained:“Within the Royal Marines and insociety as a whole, it is right andproper that we are all concernedabout the short and long termconsequences of operational militaryservice.

“Personnel who are members ofthe RMA who have volunteered tobecome T4V Practitioners will betrained in dealing with a wide range ofphysiological support issues,interviewing skills and casework. T4V

Practitioners are not trained therapistsor counsellors. Their role is to act asthe initial responders to the veteran.

“In simple terms their task is toEngage-Befriend–Signpost. Thesignposting process is designed toensure that the veterans are directedto the appropriate support agencywith the minimum of delay.”

The TRiM Practitioner is trained torecognise the signs and symptoms ofstress and give advice to individualson coping strategies that will bestassist the veteran with their issues.Should it be necessary the practitionerwill refer and support the veteran in

accessing the appropriate service oragency.

Every Royal Marine leaving theCorp has a TRiM interview and he isexpected to attend a 2nd interviewwith a T4V Practitioner one year later.He will be offered two years freemembership to the RMA, as this isbelieved to be the best way for him tobe in touch with the Corp. It isimportant to remember that while theRoyal Marines has the least incidenceof PTSD in all the Armed Forces, it isno reason to take these importantissues and responsibilities lessseriously. Finally, T4V will provideenduring support for ALL Royal MarineVeterans.

James added: “If you would like tobe considered to become a T4VPractitioner, visit our website, click onthe Our Team link and you can click onthe tab for the application form.”

email

Web http://www.trim4veterans.org/

info@trim4veterans.org

The T4V practitioner’s role is to act as the first responder to a veteran

Members of the new T4V project

“Engage-Befriend–Signpost”

16

Buckinghamshire businesses aresupporting moves to make it easierfor Service personnel to get civilianjobs when they leave the ArmedForces.

THE initiative is the latest underthe Buckinghamshire Armed ForcesCommunity Covenant, signed in 2012by the County Council, which isdrawing closer links between Serviceand civilian communities.

Two conferences, supported by a£4,000 grant from the Armed ForcesCommunity Covenant Grant Scheme,and arranged by Buckinghamshire

Business First, have been held topromote the advantages of employingex-Service personnel and reservistsamong employers in Buckinghamshire.

Recruiting ex-Service personnel

Around 200 Service personnelleave RAF High Wycombe and RAFHalton each year, and the aim is tomake local employers aware of theskills and expertise they could offer thelocal economy.

Many find work within the countywith companies who are pleased toharness their abilities. Others moveinto the area, which is exactly whatChris Heaton did.

Chris, who spent 24 years in theCommandos, is now OperationsManager at one of Europe’s majormanufacturing suppliers, The MontroseGroup based in High Wycombe. Hisjourney into civilian life took in a stintas Logistics Manager at HeathrowAirport as part of the team that builtTerminal 5.

Chris's career path provides justone example that the transferable skillsneeded to transition from military lifeto civilian life are more common thanmany believe.

“When you think of the ArmedForces you might not think of thingslike invoicing and stock control,” saidChris, “but although we are ordering inammunition and armoured vehicles,

the principle is exactly the same. “When you consider the logistical

dilemma that is running an entireArmy, you get an appreciation for howcapable and skilled these men andwomen are. We deal with importing,exporting, human resources, trainingand development, and advanced ITsystems. Which business doesn’t needexperts in those fields?

“If somebody in the Army asks youto do something - whether it be theaccounts, stock checking or projectplanning - you do it. You don’t say‘that’s not in my job spec’. You add it toyour job spec!”

Every business is on the lookoutfor differing skill sets in their staffdepending on their line of work, butevery business needs the same kind ofcharacteristics; hard-working, loyal,disciplined, adaptable, dependableteam players, with leadership qualitiesto boot.

Chris exemplifies these qualities -and his Managing Director, CharlesAinsworth, would agree. These arequalities that have become bywordsfor Armed Forces personnel as theylive, train and work to these idealsevery day.

And they're good for business, too.“Our business does suit militaryformality: a sense of discipline, logicalmind, and a good eye for detail,” saidCharles.

Support for working life after the Armed ForcesHarnessing skills and expertise for business

Chris Heaton [pictured at work] is ableto use skills learnt in the Armed Forces

in his civilian job

“When you considerthe logistical dilemmathat is running anentire Army, you get an appreciation forhow capable and

skilled these men andwomen are.”

Web

Phone

Chris Heaton (left), Montrose Group – discussing logistics with a colleague

01296 382829

www.buckscc.gov.uk/community/armed-forces

17Issue 31 March 2014

Web

As the Scotland Office Minister withresponsibility for veterans issues,David Mundell is working to ensureveterans in Scotland are representedby a strong voice in the UKGovernment.

WHEN the Coalition Governmentcame into office in 2010, it made acommitment to rebuild the ArmedForces Covenant. Since then, the UKGovernment, the Scottish Governmentand partner charities have been verybusy. The Armed Forces Covenant waspublished in May 2011 and thelegislation setting out its principlesreceived Royal Assent in November2011. The Government published thesecond Covenant Annual Report inDecember 2013, describing some of thekey achievements of the past year,including under the CommunityCovenant, the Covenant LIBOR fundand the newly established CorporateCovenant.

Mr Mundell explained: “Since theCommunity Covenant was launched in2011, all 32 Scottish local authoritieshave pledged to work to bring thecivilian and Armed Forces communitiescloser together. Almost £600,000 ofCommunity Covenant grants have beenawarded to 29 local causes in Scotland.Funded causes include: a log cabin nearDumfries to accommodate week longvisits by injured veterans; a mobility-adapted mini bus to provide access tolocal facilities for elderly and disabledpeople from the local and ArmedForces communities in Edinburgh; and£50,000 for the Glasgow City Councilveterans’ employment programme,paying subsidies to firms which take onformer members of the Armed Forces.

“I was delighted that, in 2013,twelve Scottish charitable organisations working to supportveterans were awarded over £5.4 million from the Covenant LIBORFund. Veteran’s F1rst Point, which aimsto provide a one-stop shop for veteransand their families, will receive over £2.5 million to roll out their service atnew centres in Inverness, Dundee, andAberdeen.

Over £1.9 million is being providedto Houses for Heroes to fund 38adapted houses in seven Scottish localauthorities for younger, disabled, ex-Service personnel wounded inconflict. A further £230,000 will be usedby Scottish Veterans Residences toprovide accommodation for veterans. In addition to these projects, LIBORfunding is supporting veterans inScotland through work undertaken by: Dame Agnes Weston’s Royal Sailors’Rests; Horseback UK; the HMS Neptune

Welfare Fund; Rothiemurchus Lodge;Aviemore Gardening Leave; RBLScotland; Southclyde Councils andPartner Agencies; and Cathcart OldParish Church.

“These are just some examples ofwhat the UK Government has beendoing in support of veterans inScotland and across the UnitedKingdom. Serving personnel, veteransand their families have made animmense contribution to this country.

The UK Government’s commitment to rebuild the ArmedForces Covenant has made a realdifference, and we are committed todoing much more.”

The Government’s commitment tothe covenant in ScotlandWorking in partnership to make the covenant real

https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/scotland-office

https://www.gov.uk/government/policies/fulfilling-the-commitments-of-the-armed-forces-covenant

“ . . . all 32 Scottish local authorities havepledged to work to bringthe civilian and ArmedForces communities closertogether.”

The Minister (centre) with veterans at a service at Westminster Abbey

18

Having served in the Royal Navy forover 20 years, Sarah Clewes optedto take voluntary redundancy inorder to pursue a second career inthe charity sector and joined uk4u,as the Fundraising and ProjectsManager. As a former LogisticsOfficer she has a soundappreciation of the enormous featgetting the Christmas boxes todeployed Service personnel entails.

SINCE forming in 2005, uk4u hasgone from strength to strength; thecharity has delivered over 180,000Christmas boxes to Service personneldeployed at Christmas, whether in theRoyal Navy, Army or Royal Air Force,serving in operational theatre such asAfghanistan, in ships, submarines, Airstations or are in hospital over theChristmas period as a ‘gift from theNation’ to thank them for sacrificingtime away from their families andloved ones.

Sending gifts to our troops followsthe example of HRH Princess Mary,who first suggested the idea in 1914.

Princess Mary, the seventeen yearold daughter of King George V andQueen Mary wanted to send a ‘giftfrom the Nation’ to all wearing theKing’s uniform and serving overseason Christmas Day 1914.

In November 1914, anadvertisement in the national pressinvited contributions for a ‘Sailors &

Soldiers Christmas Fund’. There wasan overwhelming response, and themoney raised was used to provide anembossed brass box, with a variety ofcontents. For officers and men onactive service afloat or at the frontlinethe box contained a pipe, lighter, 1ozof tobacco and 20 cigarettes. Non-smokers and boys received abullet pencil and a packet of sweets.More than 355,000 gifts weresuccessfully delivered in time forChristmas, but as time went on therewas a shortage of brass and some didnot receive their box until as late assummer 1916. Even in January 1919,a ‘considerable number’ had still notbeen distributed.

The fund finally closed in 1920, bywhich time almost £200,000 had beendonated to provide more than twoand a half million boxes with contents.

The present day Christmas box isa huge success due to the support ofthe MOD and the charity’s sponsorsand supporters. The contents includeboth novelties (a Christmas hat andCarol sheet) and good quality usefulitems (a Spork, wind up torch andearphones); indeed the box becomesa useful storage tin on completion oftours for medals, photographs andgizzits.

Sarah said “As 2014 marks 100years of the giving of Christmas boxesto our troops, uk4u is scopingopportunities to contrast the old andthe new and is keen to promotestories from Service veterans aboutthe gifts they received whiledeployed. So please contact me withyour stories and dits.”

Special deliveryFrom delivering Logistics in the Royal Navy to delivering gifts for troops

email

Web

Twitter

sarah.clewes@uk4u.org

@uk4uCharity

Facebook www.facebook.com/uk4ucharity

www.uk4u.org

Lorraine Kelly with Service personnel and the Christmas 2013 box

The 1914 box

“2014 marks 100 years ofthe giving of Christmasboxes to our troops . . . "

Sarah Clewesin her newrole at theUK4U charity(above) andin uniform

19Issue 31 March 2014

The Service Personnel and VeteransAgency (SPVA) is one of the manyemployers supporting staff in theReserve Forces and reaping thebenefits of the transferable skills ofthe Armed Forces.

SaBRE, Supporting Britain'sReservists and Employersacknowledged the Service Personneland Veterans Agency’s VeteransWelfare Service for their support as avalued Reservist employer during aformal awards ceremony in 2013.

David Chauvelin is a WelfareManager for SPVA’s Veterans WelfareService, and a Lieutenant Commanderin the Royal Naval Reserve (RNR).Having the full support of SPVA, Davidhas so far completed twodeployments in the last five years, aswell as providing continuous supportto the fleet and the wider RNR.

Alison Davies, Officer in Charge ofthe Welfare Service, collected theaward on behalf of the SPVA and said:“I am honoured to collect this awardon behalf of the Veterans Welfare

Service and proud that the SPVAsupports our Reserve Forces”

Lieutenant CommanderChauvelin has been a reservist since1991 and a Welfare Manager with theVeterans Welfare Service since 2007.He said of his two deployments: “I amgrateful that the Veterans WelfareService facilitated both my recenttours and I have found that myexperiences were extremely useful asa Welfare Manager when dealing withserving and ex-Service personnel forday-to-day SPVA business. Thesetypes of experiences helped medevelop myself personally andprofessionally and can only bebeneficial to the SPVA.”

Brian Finch, Regional WelfareManager, Veterans Welfare Servicesaid “It is always difficult when a staffmember is absent from the workplacebut the long term benefits canoutweigh the short term difficultiesand these experiences have helpedDavid to become a more effectiveWelfare Manager. The Military will berelying more and more on theessential work of the Reservists acrossthe country and it is imperative thatorganisations, like ourselves, supportthose who risk their lives for theircountry. The Veterans Welfare Service,if required, is here to assist once thatrole has finished.”

Reservists develop a broad rangeof skills through their military trainingwhich help them in their civilian jobsand which are valuable to theiremployers.

SaBRE is an organisation that aimsto build support for members of theReserve Forces from employers. Itdoes this by explaining to employersthe benefits, rights and obligationsassociated with employing aReservist, as well as promoting thetransferable skills that they receivethrough their military training andbring back to the workplace. SaBRE isfunded by the Ministry of Defence(MOD) and as such is a central conduitfor feeding back employer views tothe MOD on the employment ofReservists.

On reserveReserve Forces proving to be assets to civilian workforces

SABRE 0800 389 5459 SPVA Veterans UK Helpline 0808 1914 2 18

Web

Phone

Did you know? Since January2003 there have been over 27,000mobilisations. Reservists havebeen mobilised for full timeservice, serving in Iraq andAfghanistan and other operations.

Did you know? According to SaBREresearch conducted in 2010amongst employers, 83 per cent ofReservist employers agreed thatReservists gain transferable skillsthat could never be learnt in theirown job.

www.sabre.mod.uk www.veterans-uk.info/welfaresupportcontact.htm

“ . . . I have found that myexperiences were extremely

useful as a WelfareManager when dealing

with serving and ex-Servicepersonnel for day-to–day

SPVA business.”

David Chauvelin has been in the ReserveForces for five years and undertaken two

tours on operations overseas

SPVA’s Veterans Welfare Service hasbeen recognised for their support of a

valued reservist

David, a Royal Navy Officer proudlyholds his Afghanistan Medal

20

The Ministry of Defence willsupport commemorations thissummer to mark the 70thAnniversary of the NormandyLandings in France, taking place 5-6 June 2014.

PERSONNEL from all threeServices will provide logistic andceremonial support to thecommemorations, known as“Normandy 70”, and will assistveterans of the campaign as theymark this historic anniversary inNormandy. Work is being led by aspecialist logistics unit, Force TroopsCommand, and 3rd (UK) Division ofthe Army, the division that led theassault on Sword Beach seventy yearsago.

The Armed Forces will support arange of events taking place in theNormandy region. Majorcommemorations will includeceremonies on June 5 to mark theliberation of Ranville by the British13th Parachute Battalion, the firstvillage to be liberated on D-Day.Members of 16 Air Assault Brigade willmount a mass parachute drop to markthis occasion, which will be followedby a memorial service at the Statue ofField Marshal Montgomery atColleville Montgomery.

On June 6, a United Kingdom-France Service of Remembrance willtake place at Bayeux Cathedralorganised by The Royal British Legionand the Normandy VeteransAssociation, followed by a specialevent at the Bayeux CommonwealthWar Graves Commission (CWGC)Cemetery.

A number of veterans will alsoattend an international ceremonyorganised by the French Government,and a service held by the NormandyVeterans Association at Arromanches.

The Ministry of Defence isworking closely with partners acrossGovernment and with externalagencies to deliver a fittingprogramme of commemorations tomark the anniversary. These includethe Normandy Veterans Association,for whom this year will be of particularsignificance, as they have indicated itwill be the last that they will officiallymark. Later this year, the Associationplans to officially disband and lay uptheir National Standard at a service atSt Margaret’s, Westminster, London.Working with the MOD on events andsupport to veterans will be The RoyalBritish Legion. Another partner is theCommonwealth War GravesCommission, the organisation that

commemorates CommonwealthForces who died in the two WorldWars, and custodians of thecemeteries where Commonwealthcasualties of D-Day are buried.

Veterans wishing to return toNormandy in June will be able toapply for financial support from theBig Lottery Fund, who last Februaryextended their “Heroes’ Return 2Scheme” till December 2015. Thisscheme enables veterans and theirspouses, widows and widowers, andaccompanying helpers to undertakethe journey. Details of the scheme canbe found atwww.biglotteryfund.org.uk/prog_heroes_return.

Further details, includinginformation on the form and contentof events for the anniversary, will beannounced in due course.

Normandy 70 MOD announces support to the 70th anniversary of the Normandy landings

Dennis Abbot, a former member of theRoyal Army Service Corps, reflects on hisD-Day memories as two fellow veteranswalk past on the sands of what wasOmaha beach during the 65th

anniversary of D-Day in June 2009.

British Paras from 1st Battalion The Parachute Regiment hear a few old war storiesfrom a D-Day veteran as they prepared for the 60th anniversary celebrations

in 2004 at Ranville where the 6th Airborne Division landed.

Veterans wishing to return to Normandy in June will

be able to apply for financial support from the

Big Lottery Fund

Crown Copyright/MOD

Crown Copyright/MOD

21Issue 31 March 2014

LT COL RICHARD DORNEY MBE ishighly experienced around thesubject of military mental health,with a Master’s degree in War andPsychiatry and a wealth ofcertificates in psychotraumatology,trauma risk management, suicideintervention skills and other relatedsubjects. Add to this the 37 years ofservice he has in supporting thewelfare of serving personnel and itbecomes clear that this senior Armyofficer was an ideal candidate fordelivering the Armed Forces MentalHealth First Aid (AFMHFA) training,launched in 2013.

EXPLAINING why he chose toapply to become an AFMHFAInstructor, 53 year old Richard said:

“I am very motivated when itcomes to the subject of mental healthand this is reflected in the choices I’vemade throughout my career in theArmy and also the qualifications I havechosen to pursue in my personal time.When I heard about the AFMHFAprogramme I thought it would be avery worthwhile course to attend andwould bring a very positive benefit tothe Armed Forces community.”

Richard downloaded theapplication forms from the MentalHealth First Aid England website,completed and submitted them viaemail and was successful in securing aplace on the first AFMHFA Instructortraining course which was held inLondon and took seven days tocomplete. Speaking about what helearnt on the course he said:

“Although I do have extensiveexperience in the non-clinical aspectsof military mental health I still foundthe AFMHFA to be extremely useful inmany ways. For instance, the coursecovers some of the rarer conditionswhich we don’t see a great deal of inmilitary personnel, but it wasnonetheless useful to gain anunderstanding on how these mightpresent and the course taught us howto recognise some of the signs andsymptoms of these conditions. I alsolearnt how my style of teaching wouldneed to be adapted to the widerArmed Forces community whichincludes civilians. Ultimately I will bedelivering the AFMHFA to thosemembers of the Armed Forcescommunity supporting recovery andthe wider veteran community. To putthe training into this context wasextremely helpful.”

In his current post as a SeniorOperations and Plans Officer in thePersonnel Recovery Branch, Army HQ,Richard is responsible for managingthe recovery pathway for personnelwho have been wounded, injured orbecome sick while serving. This roleinvolves ensuring that the individualcan access all of the activities andopportunities that will enable the

swiftest return to duty or transition toa suitable skilled and supportedcivilian life. Within this role, Richardregularly deals with organisationssuch as SSAFA, Combat Stress and theRoyal British Legion - all of whomhave been key players in thedevelopment of the AFMHFA.

It will be these networks thatRichard uses to generate interest inattending the two day course andevery person that he teaches willbecome one of the 6,600 members ofthe Armed Forces community whowill be AFMHFA trained by 2015.

www.mhfaengland.org/first-aid-courses/first-aid-armed-forces

Applying first aid to mental healthArmed Forces Mental Health programme continues to roll out

email

Web

Phone

Lt Col Dorney

0207 250 8062/3

“ . . . a verypositive benefit tothe Armed Forces

community.”

The training will benefit members of theArmed Forces Community including

families

Part of the criteria for beingaccepted onto the AFMHFAcourse is the Instructor’s ability toroll out the training to the widerArmed Forces community.

info@mhfaengland.org

22

Royal Navyveteran DavidPledger, 71and wifeSandra, 73have becomeBritain’s oldestentrepreneursby securing aloan of£25,000 tostart-up theirnew company

‘Full House Marketing’ followingsupport received from X-Forces, aSocial Enterprise launched to helpveterans and their families realisetheir entrepreneurial ambitions.

THE husband and wife businessteam, who have been married fornearly 45 years, were told theirbusiness loan had been approved inDecember and launched theirbusiness with the help of X-Forcesearly in 2014.

“David and Sandra are aninspiration to all of us, the lift on theage cap for start-up loans whichpreviously constrained so many hasmeant that more people can now getinto business and do their part to helpthe UK’s economic recovery. Ageshould be no barrier to realising one’spotential and for those veterans whohave served the UK so loyally and withsuch selfless commitment this is a realsuccess story”, commented Ren Kapur,Managing Director, X-Forces.

They’ve spent the last threemonths under the expert guidance ofX-Forces, a Social Enterpriseestablished to help veterans and thewider Forces community become

entrepreneurs. X-Forces was launchedby Lord Young in 2013 and has thebacking of several high profilesponsors including CISCO andBarclays. It offers complete businesssupport to anyone with a connectionto the military community whether arecent leaver, or an older veteran likeDavid Pledger.

David and Sandra Pledger werementored by X-Forces’ Director ofTransition and former Royal NavyOfficer, Mike Mackenzie;

“When David and Sandra got intouch, we could immediately see thatthey had a great concept and a viablebusiness idea. We provided them within-depth advice and expert businessmentoring which helped them toshape their business plan andaccurately forecast the financing they

would need to get the company upand running”.

The Pledgers launched ‘Full HouseMarketing’ in February 2014. Theirconcept builds on their years ofexperience as hoteliers turning aroundfailing B&B’s and small scale hotels inthe West Country, where they live.They have pioneered a hotel bookingsystem that is tailored to increase theprofitability of small and independentinns and guest houses by improvingoccupancy rates.

“X-Forces were on the ballthroughout the whole businessplanning process and whensubmitting our loan request. Theentire process took less than threemonths and I can’t thank themenough for their help and support inmaking our dream a reality.

“For small hotels, usingcommercial packages to improveoccupancy such as LateRooms doesn’tprovide a good return on investmentbecause of the high commission rates.Our technology will offer a package tofamily-run and independent hoteliersthat is both affordable and profitable”,added David.

Never too old to ‘start up’ againBritain’s oldest entrepreneurial couple secure start-up loan at 73 and 71

Facebook

Web

Twitter

David and Sandra on their wedding day in 1966

“Age should beno barrier torealising one’spotential . . .”

David and Sandra Pledger today

www.startuploans.co.uk/start-up-loans-and-the-ex-forces/

facebook.com/X-Forces

@OfficialXforces

23Issue 31 March 2014

The National Memorial Arboretumin Staffordshire is looking to recruitcustomer service-orientedvolunteers to join their visitorwelcome team. As the UK’s year-round Centre of Remembrance, theArboretum, which is part of TheRoyal British Legion family ofcharities, is a spiritually upliftingplace which honours the fallen,recognises service and sacrifice andfosters pride in our country.

THE new recruits will join anaward winning team of over 180volunteers. They are a vital part ofthe Arboretum; contributing bothtime and energy to ensuring visitorshave a memorable experience, andhelping the site to flourish and growfor the benefit of future generations.

Reflecting the broad cross-sectionof the UK population it serves, theArboretum will be particularlywelcoming of applications frompeople in currently under-represented groups, includingthose with a disability or from diversecultural backgrounds.

Customer service volunteers getinvolved in all aspects of meeting andgreeting visitors, leading guided toursof the Arboretum and providinginformation to visitors. Successfulapplicants will receive training andadvice from both senior volunteersand external bodies and the chanceto work alongside an experienced

volunteer mentor.Volunteering opportunities are

also available in other areas of theArboretum, including the education,retail, catering and groundsdepartments. There are also limitedweekend places for Duke ofEdinburgh students who are workingtowards their silver or gold award.

People decide to get involved involunteering at the Arboretum for avariety of reasons but all find it arewarding and inspiring experience.

One of the Arboretum’s currentvolunteers is Sue Plant, daughter ofJack Plant - a Second World Warveteran who was held as a Japaneseprisoner of war from 1942 to 1945.During his time in captivity, he wasforced to work on constructing theSumatra Railway; the railway lineconstructed on and around theequator by 5,000 Allied prisoners ofwar and 30,000 local people. The

conditions were terrible andinhumane and many thousands losttheir lives.

Sue's father was responsible forthe Sumatra Railway memorial whichwas dedicated at the NationalMemorial Arboretum in 2001. Hevolunteered regularly at theArboretum’s education centre untilhis death in 2011. Sue, a formerteacher, continues his legacy byteaching the story of the SumatraRailway and the far east prisoners ofwar to secondary school children.

Sue says; "My fathercoped with an awfulsituation and neverbecame bitter andtwisted. He neverspoke of theatrocities heexperienced, of whichwe know there were

many. He wanted to take somethingpositive from the experience, andconstructing the Sumatra Railwaymemorial and volunteering at theArboretum was part of that. I amprivileged to be able to carry on hislegacy."

Creating a legacyNational Memorial Arboretum seeks new customer service volunteers

email

Web

Twitter

Phone Kim Riley, Volunteers & Training Co-ordinator 01283 792333

kriley@thenma.org.uk

@Nat_Mem_Arb

Facebook www.facebook.com/NationalMemorialArboretum

www.thenma.org.uk

The Sumatra Railway memorial

People decide to getinvolved in volunteeringat the Arboretum for avariety of reasons but allfind it a rewarding andinspiring experience.

“

”

Jack Plant’s daughter Sue is one ofthe volunteers supporting the

Arboretum

Jack Plant

24

The national volunteering charityTimeBank is extending its Shoulderto Shoulder project in Birmingham,which recruits volunteer mentors tosupport ex-Servicemen and womenwho are struggling to adjust tocivilian life.

PROGRAMME MANAGER AndyForster says: “During our work withShoulder to Shoulder, we saw thatfamily members don’t always receivethe support they need to manage andunderstand the needs of partners,sons or daughters who are adjustingto civilian life. Their lives can unravelonce they leave the Forces.

“Families face unique challengesin dealing with these issues and we’llbe recruiting and training up to 30volunteers to act as mentors tosupport them. They’ll play an activerole in helping family members tackleisolation and signpost them toservices to help.”

The charity’s Shoulder to ShoulderFamilies project will work across theWest Midlands, and aims to recruit andtrain up to 30 volunteers to support 60family members over two years, boththrough mentoring and a drop-incentre in the city.

A mentor’s story

Karen, a social worker, startedmentoring on TimeBank’s Shoulder toShoulder project last February. Duringher time in the Officer Training Corpsshe’d heard about PTSD, but it wasn’tuntil it affected a friend of hers that

she saw its full impact. “That inspired me to volunteer for

Shoulder to Shoulder, as a way to offerpractical support to someone who’dbeen through a bad time and nowwanted to move forward in her life.You’re not there as a professionaladviser or counsellor, but to offerpractical help and encouragement.”

Karen was matched with a youngwoman who had served in the RoyalArtillery in Iraq, and who felt isolatedand depressed. They met for a fewhours every month, getting to knoweach other and identifying futuregoals. “There’s no set pattern - it verymuch depends on what your menteewants to achieve,” says Karen.

“We got on really well and it’sbeen terrific to see her confidencegrow as we’ve tackled differentsituations, like making journeys to newplaces or trying social activities.

“The training and supportprovided by TimeBank staff has beenexcellent. They are always ready toanswer any questions so you neverfeel alone. It’s been a really positiveexperience and I’ve enjoyed ittremendously. Best of all, I’ve made awonderful new friend. Even thoughour mentoring relationship is nowover, we’ll keep in touch.”

Shoulder to Shoulder London isnow drawing to an end but if you livein Birmingham or the West Midlandsand would like support – or would liketo volunteer as a mentor - get in touchwith janed@timebank.org.uk

Veterans standing Shoulder to ShoulderTimeBank extends its support to veterans’ families

YouTube

email

Web

Twitter

janed@timebank.org.uk

@timebank

Facebook www.facebook.com/volunteeruk

www.timebank.org.uk/shoulder-to-shoulder

www.youtube.com/timebankvolunteeringKaren is one of Shoulder to Shoulder’s

mentors

“There’s no setpattern - it very

much depends onwhat your menteewants to achieve.”

Andy Foster, Programme Manager inBirmingham, talking to an

ex-Servicewoman

A young Serviceman takes part in the project

25

SPVA News

Issue 31 March 2014

The regular feature providing you with updatesfrom the Service Personnel and Veterans Agency

SPVA to join Defence BusinessServices

From 1 April, the Service Personneland Veterans Agency will becomepart of the MOD’s ‘Defence BusinessServices’ (DBS) organisation - one ofthe Governments three SharedService Centres that are bringingtogether HR, Finance and othersupport functions across Government.

Within the MOD, SPVA currentlyprovides pay and HR functions for theArmed Forces and provides supportfor those who have left the services bypaying Armed Forces Pensions,compensation for injury/ bereavementdue to Service and Veterans WelfareSupport via a dedicated helpline andVeterans Welfare Service. DBS already

provides very similar functions for theMOD’s civilian employees, as well asMOD finance and national securityand vetting services. The comingtogether of these two similar functionswill therefore allow the neworganisation to share best practiceand provide a better overall service.

So what difference will this mean forSPVA customers and stakeholders?

The good news is that as far asveterans support is concerned, it’sbusiness as usual and veterans will stillbe able to access exactly the sameservices, delivered by the samededicated team of people, as they donow. The merger will, however, seesome changes to names. SPVA’scurrent Veterans Services functions

will become known as ‘Veterans UK’,taking the name of the currentVeterans UK website and Veterans UKhelpline. While the SPVA logo willgradually be lost from April, veteranswill start to see the main Ministry ofDefence brand used for businessproducts and a new Veterans UK logofor promoting MOD’s package ofsupport for the veterans community.[pictured].

For more information on theMOD’s support for veterans, visitwww.veterans-uk.info

SPVA help veterans discover theirhistory

SPVA staff were exhibitors at theannual Who do you think you are? Live2014 event held in London duringFebruary. Second World War andother official medals issued by theMinistry of Defence (MOD) wereplaced on display with experts onhand to answer questions and to takeapplications for medals.

The staff were also available toprovide information on SPVA’s widerwork including Governmentcompensation payments for thoseinjured/bereaved by Armed ForcesService, the one-to-one support forveterans provided by the VeteransWelfare Service and information onhow to apply for the popular HMArmed Forces Veterans Badge.

Meeting the standard

SPVA have responsibility for the IlfordPark Polish Home in Devon. It’s hometo 98 residents who live in the 81 bedresidential care wing, the 14 bednursing home and the three independent bungalows. As a carehome in the UK, the Home isinspected by the Care QualityCommission (CQC) and must complywith all the standards laid down by theHealth and Social Care Act 2008.

The home has recently undergonea routine inspection to look atwhether it meets the standardsrequired by the CQC; covering care

and welfare of the residents,requirements for the staff at the homeand record keeping. The Home met all the standards set out by CQC.During the inspection, residents,carers, family members and stafftalked to the inspectors, to discusstheir care. The report found thatresidents ‘were treated respectfully,had agreed to care being providedand been involved in their care.’Family members were also happy withthe care of their relatives with onestating ‘they had “more peace ofmind”‘

The full report can be viewed atwww.veterans-uk.info.

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East Renfrewshire, Inverclyde andRenfrewshire councils have teamedup for a new initiative helpingArmed Forces veterans, supportedby £87,000 funding from the ArmedForces Covenant (LIBOR) Fund.

THE THREE Councils, working withthe SPVA Veterans Welfare Service,have introduced a new customerservice initiative designed to makesure veterans get the help they need.

Customer service advisors at allauthorities have been trained to askthe right questions to identify veteransand ‘signpost’ them to specialist advicein housing, employment, benefits ormedical treatment.

Each of the three councils hassigned the covenant in the past yearand all participate in the Firmbaseinitiative to coordinate veterans’support across the west of Scotland.

The customer service initiative waslaunched in December when electedmembers from the three councils metwith Lt Col Neil Russell of the ArmyPersonnel Centre. Lt Col Russell alsospoke with Stacey Stuart, customerservice advisor at RenfrewshireCouncil, to try out the new service.

Lt Col Russell said: “I’m in uniformtoday so it’s immediately obvious thatI’m with the Armed Forces. But ifsomeone walks in off the street andinto a council office, how would youknow if they’ve served in the Forces? Itseems so simple, but unless an advisor

asks, then they might not get to theheart of what the person needs.”

“Initiatives like this are soimportant to supporting veterans andI’m very appreciative of the resourcesall three councils have invested inmaking this happen.”

Brian Finch, Scottish regionalmanager for the SPVA’s VeteransWelfare Service, said: “We provideadvice to the ex-Service communityand Service personnel. Young or old,they can get advice and help from us.

“It’s crucial that people in otheragencies coming into regular contactwith veterans understand this and cansignpost them to us. We’re delightedto be contributing to this initiative andbelieve it will be of real benefit to our

veterans.”Cllr Anne Hall, Renfrewshire’s

Provost, said: “Renfrewshire has aproud tradition of support for theArmed Forces and for service veterans.We know it can be difficult for thosewho have served to make theadjustment to civilian life.”

“I’m glad to see that we’re stillfinding new ways of helping ourveterans and I hope this new initiativegoes from strength to strength.”

Cllr Jim Fletcher, leader of EastRenfrewshire Council, said: “Thisfunding will enable us to continue toassist our community fully and furtherstrengthen the support given to EastRenfrewshire’s serving and ex-Servicepersonnel.”

Cllr David Wilson, depute Provostof Inverclyde Council, said: “I amdelighted we are part of this serviceoffering help and support.

“It is also an opportunity topromote better understanding andawareness of the issues facingveterans and their families and will beof real benefit to them."

Councils team up to help out heroes

Council partnership receives LIBOR fund boost

Representatives from all three councils attended the launch event

Web

PhoneEast Renfrewshire - 0141 577 3001 Inverclyde - 01475 717171 Renfrewshire - 0300 300 0300 :

www.eastrenfrewshire.gov.uk www.inverclyde.gov.uk www.renfrewshire.gov.ukThe Firmbase veterans support initiative receives the £87,000 funding boost

Plans for Normandy 70 unveiled - see page 20Crown Copyright/MOD