veterans world

Issue 18 December 2010 ®

Pathway initiativecontinues roll out

Veterans given a sporting chance

Veterans get help to kickstart a healthy New Year

MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

HELP AND SUPPORT FROM SERVICE PERSONNEL AND VETERANS AGENCY

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

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

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

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

MedalsHave you claimed your medals? Call us today

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

Service Personnel & Veterans Agency

How to contact usService Personnel

JPAC opening hoursMonday – Friday 07.00 -19.00

JPAC Enquiry Centre0141 224 3600Mil 94560 3600

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

Online accessibilityInternet: [email protected]: JPACEnquiryCentre

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

Ex-Service Personnel

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

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

Onlinewww.veterans-uk.info

3Issue 18 December 2010

Contents Issue 18December 2010

The Royal Chelsea Hospital UpdateThe Royal Chelsea Hospital enters its thirdphase of modernisation

Meet the new ‘Recruits’Four legged friends providing independencefor disabled veterans

Homes for HeroesHousing opportunities for veterans

Mutual SupportMultiple Sclerosis - crucial support

Help Moving ForwardHelp at hand for veterans suffering fromchronic pain

Life after ServiceResettlement Advice for Veterans

RegularsNews in BriefSPVA NewsNoticeboard

IN THIS ISSUE6

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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

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For advertising opportunities please contact:[email protected]

Front page image: Horseback, see pages 12-13

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News in brief

AT PRESENT, members of the ArmedForces who serve for 30 continuous daysqualify for Iraq and Afghanistan campaignmedals. Following a review, those whohave served for an aggregate period of 45

days are now also eligible. These changeswill be backdated to the start of bothoperations - 11 September 2001 forAfghanistan and 20 January 2003 for Iraq.Examples of Service personnel who couldnow be eligible include members of theaeromedical evacuation teams whoaccompany injured patients back to theUK.Under the new plans, personnel whodeploy for short periods of time will beallowed to build up accrued days toachieve an aggregate qualifying period of45 days' service.

THE factsheet is an all-in-one resource forveterans and support agencies workingwith the Armed Forces community inScotland.

Poppyscotland Chief Executive IanMcGregor said: “Veterans advice needscan be multiple and complex and it isgratifying to see that Age Scotland hasrecognised the issues that members of

this group can face. We hope thisfactsheet will go a long way to addressingthe difficulties experienced by some ofour older veterans”.

Changes to campaignmedals criteria

Factsheet for older veterans A new factsheet: ‘Older Veterans Living in Scotland’ was recentlylaunched by Age Scotland in partnership with Poppyscotland.

New healthcareguide launchedNew guidance produced tohelp GPs support veterans’healthcare needs moreeffectively

Contacts

THE Royal College of GeneralPractitioners (RCGP), The Royal BritishLegion and Combat Stress havelaunched guidance to support GPs inidentifying and meeting the healthcareneeds of veterans more effectively -including accessing the prioritytreatment to which all veterans areentitled for Service-related conditions.

THE jointly produced guidance for GPslooks at how best to care for veterans’physical and mental health after theyhave left the Armed Forces and rejoinedcivilian life. It provides useful advice onmedical records and accessing prioritytreatment, along with dedicated sectionsincluding mental health needs, healthbehaviours, the provision of prosthesesand hospital waiting lists.

The Royal College of General Practitionerssent out electronic copies of the guidanceto all GP surgeries, covering their 42,000members.

The guidance is available to downloadon the following websites:www.rcgp.org.ukwww.britishlegion.org.uk or

www.combatstress.org.uk

ContactsTo obtain copies of the factsheet,visit www.agescotland.org.uk ortelephone 0845 8330200

The Operational Service Medals for Iraq andAfghanistan

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Hundreds more British Servicemen and women will receiveoperational campaign medals under new plans announced bythe MOD in August 2010.

ContactsEx-Service personnel, who believe theymay be eligible, should contact theMOD Medal Office by: calling the JPACEnquiry Centre 0800 085 3600 or email [email protected]

The factsheet provides information on finance, health, housing, remembranceand employment, as well as Service-related information on veterans’ rights,medals and Service records. It also includes a directory of ex-Service charitiesoffering support to veterans in Scotland.


The path to support widens

THE scheme is designed to improve accessto support from statutory providers andthe voluntary and community sector forService personnel, veterans and theirfamilies and widows/ers of those who diedwhilst serving. It does not increase supportprovision, but is designed to improve co-ordination between local authorities, otherGovernment services such as thoseprovided by the National Health Serviceand Job Centre Plus, and the voluntary andcommunity sector. The aim is to improveawareness of the issues of concern to theArmed Forces community among thevarious providers of support and help themco-ordinate their activities to ensure thatthe Community is able to access thesupport to which it is entitled, and enableco-operation between statutory providersand charities.

Each council is encouraged to establish an‘Armed Forces Community Group’,bringing together representatives fromlocal authorities, key players such as theArmed Forces Champions from the localNHS authority and Department for Workand Pensions, community relations staff

from local military bases, representativesfrom the major Service charities, and othergroups who may be able to provide value,such as the Citizens’ Advice Bureaux, theVeterans’ Welfare Service or localemergency services. The aim is to identifypriority issues and improve collaboration,in order to ensure that the interests of theArmed Forces community are taken intoaccount in both the planning and deliveryof support. *

Advice on support for veterans is availablethrough a wide range of helplines. Forthose who are unsure which number tocall, the Welfare Pathway offers a NationalPoint of Contact - 08000 223366 - asignposting service, directing callers to themost appropriate helpline.

The Welfare Pathway scheme is led by theArmed Forces Community Champion ineach authority. They ensure that the localscheme operates, chair the Armed ForcesCommunity Group and provide a focus forrecourse if problems arise in the provisionof statutory support to the Armed Forcescommunity.

Future plans

The current Welfare Pathway pilot groups,including North Yorkshire and Vale ofGlamorgan, will trial the scheme untilOctober 2011. It is hoped that lessons fromthe trial period will be taken forwardnationally after that time. Groups in thePilot areas who feel they can contribute tothe aims of the Welfare Pathway areencouraged to contact the Armed ForcesChampions in their area.

Editors Note: * See page 19 for anexample of how the Welfare Pathway isworking in Wigan.

Contacts

Armed Forces Community Welfare Pathway rollout

In November 2009, Kent County Council became the first local authority to sign upto the Armed Forces Community Welfare Pathway. Hampshire County Council,Wigan Council and Fife Council have also joined the scheme, while both NorthYorkshire County Council and Vale of Glamorgan Council have begun establishinga Welfare Pathway initiative.

Some of the key stakeholders at the Hampshire County Council Welfare Pathway Conference in September 2010,along with members of the Army Air Corps Band.

The Armed Forces CommunityChampions for the existing pilotschemes

Members of the Armed ForcesCommunity can contact their championsfor advice, support and entitlementsinformation.

• Kent – Cllr Leyland Riding. Call 08458 247 247, or visit one of the Council’s Gateway centres.

• Hampshire – Mr Ian Parker, of the Chief Executive’s Department. Call 0845 603 5630.

• Wigan – Cllr Keith Cunliffe. visit the council offices or call 01942 244991

• Fife – Mr Steve Grimmond, Executive Director of Local Communities and Housing. Call 08451 550033 or visit Fife Council offices.

• North Yorkshire: Mr Neil Irving. Call 0845 872 7374.

• Vale of Glamorgan: Cllr Janice Charles. Call 01446 700111

For advice on Services and entitlements,callers should advise that they aremembers of the Armed ForcesCommunity; where this has a bearing onthe delivery of service, it will be takeninto account.

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THE modernisation of the Royal HospitalChelsea continues, and has now enteredits third phase.

The Royal Hospital Chelsea launched theChelsea Pensioners’ Appeal in 2004 tofund the biggest development campaignin its history. The first phase was TheMargaret Thatcher Infirmary, whichopened in March 2009. The infirmary’sfacilities include state of the art wards fornursing and palliative care; as well as agym and the Royal Hospital’s own surgery.

The currentphase of theupgradeaddresses thefamous LongWards onwhich the majority of the pensionerslive. At present each of the Long Wardshas 36 9ft by 9ft wooden ‘berths’, thedesign and shape of which has remainedalmost the same for 300 years. At theend of this phase the berths will beupdated to en-suite study bedrooms,while maintaining the iconic character of

the Long Wards, which were designedby Sir Christopher Wren.

A small start has been made to the LongWard conversion and it has delivered 34en-suite study bedrooms, which wereopened in June this year by The Duke ofGloucester KG. This coincided withFounder’s Day, the annual day ofcelebration in honour of King Charles IIwho established the Royal HospitalChelsea. The final stage to deliver 220rooms is still seeking finance and willrequire some £30million to complete.

The Royal Hospital Chelsea has been caring for the nation’s Army veterans since 1682 and newfacilities will ensure that The Royal Hospital is able to continue fulfilling that role for years to come.

Modernisation for the menand women in Scarlet

Today the Royal Hospital is home to some 300 Pensioners, male and female,providing them with a stimulating living environment. Veterans are eligible tobecome Chelsea Pensioners if they have served as soldiers in the British Army,are over 65 years old, and have no dependants.

ContactsFor more information call 0207 8815200 or visit www.chelsea-pensioners.co.uk

The distinctive Chelsea Pensioners

Allen’s assistance dog Endal Junior, pperforms a number of tasks to support him from posting envelopes to picking items from shop shelves


The RBL’s key aim is to improve thequality of life for veterans, enablingthem to enjoy healthy, independent andfulfilling lives. The service works bydrawing together groups of individualsto central locations with organisedhealth and wellbeing activities designedto aid veterans with their physical, mental and emotional wellbeing.

HEALTH and Wellbeing teams support veterans providing them with informationon the range of assistance and services available to them from all agencies thushelping them to remain active members ofsociety.

Activities, which are free and available toall who qualify for Legion assistance*, arebased around the following five key areas:Information and Advice, Diet and Nutrition,Exercise and Activity, Adult Learning, andSocial Interaction.

Information and advice from trained professionals is offered on money matters,welfare issues, health and social care,leisure and social activities. Clients arereferred on to other Legion services suchas benefit and money advice if needed.

The programme encourages a healthy dietand good nutrition by running cookingclasses using healthy fresh ingredients, andLunch clubs are very popular, where clientscan enjoy healthy eating together in acomfortable environment. Sessions onnutrition, calorific content and weightcontrol are also popular.

Exercise classes promoting healthy activitylevels include Yoga, Tai Chi, Pilates anddance. Outdoor activities include walkinggroups, horticulture and photography. Sessions are fun, friendly, inclusive and aretailored to clients’ abilities.

There is a strong emphasis on adult learning, with Health and Wellbeing projects offering access to academic orvocational learning including basic IT training; e-mail, digital photography,search engine and internet use.

Social Interaction is a huge part of theHealth and Wellbeing initiative. The programme encourages individuals tomeet like-minded people with similar interests, issues and life experiences. It

allows them to become more involved intheir local communities and gives them theconfidence to venture outside their homesonce more. Clients can become moresocially involved through group activitiessuch as film and theatre trips, outdoor pursuits, tea dances and group outings

Breaking down barriersHealth and Wellbeing is a Royal British Legion service introduced to break down barriers ofisolation and social exclusion and to help veterans re-engage with their local communities.

There are currently 17 Health andWellbeing Projects spread aroundEngland and Wales, all are partnershipswith specialist providers who areexperienced in delivering these types ofservices. Venues vary from LegionClubs and Break Centres to partnershipvenues which have suitable facilities.

The service is aimed at all age groupsand is free to Legion eligible clients

ContactsFor further information, email TheHealth and Wellbeing Manager DougDavie at [email protected] The Health and Wellbeing Assistant Katie Grant [email protected]

*Editors Note: If you served in theForces for at least 7 days or are thedependant of someone who has served,The Royal British Legion's extensiverange of services is available to helpyou.

The programme includes outdoor activitiessuch as walking groups and horticulture

The Legion Health and Wellbeingproject also operates “Poppy Boxes”, a weekly food delivery scheme wherefood is packed into boxes by LegionBranch members and is delivered toneedy beneficiaries. This service isenormously valued as it is aimed atunemployed and low income familiesand clients who benefit from it areoften isolated, or recently returnedfrom a hospital stay and are unable toget out and about.

One beneficiary sums it up when hesays “the Poppy Box was a godsend, I don’t know how I would havemanaged without it”

David Lockwood on his doorstep welcomingHarry Wakefield delivering his Poppy Box

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Since 2005, Combat Stress has seen a72 per cent increase in referrals. Withno sign of demand abating, it becameclear that they needed to re-think theirstrategy to best meet the needs of therising numbers of veterans seeking thecharity’s help for mental healthdifficulties.

COMBAT STRESS have long providedclinical treatment at their three short-stayresidential centres – in Shropshire,Ayrshire and Surrey. But these havelimited capacity at any one time.

For some years, Combat Stress has alsooperated a nationwide network of veryhard working Regional Welfare Officers(RWOs): they knew that, by adding aCommunity Psychiatric Nurse and aMental Health Practitioner to the areacovered by an RWO, they could deliver toeach region the clinical capability thatwas missing.

In effect, they would be taking treatmentout to clients in the community too.The first of these enhanced CommunityOutreach teams have been rolled-out insix areas of the UK, and the Southernregion Anglia team has been operationalsince August of this year.

It consists of four key players: CommunityPsychiatric Nurse John Marham, MentalHealth Practitioner Alex McCall, andRegional Welfare Officer Stephen Pettittwho are all on the road; they aresupported by desk officer Janet Closier,based at Combat Stress head office inLeatherhead, Surrey.

Stephen and John are ex-Servicesthemselves - Stephen was an RAFEngineering Officer; and John served for23 years in the Scots Guards.

John and Alex both previously worked ina specialist mental health unit providingcare and support for serving personnel inPeterborough.

Their combined skills and individualexperiences have made them real assetsto Combat Stress – and, by all accounts,they have hit the ground running.

Psychiatric nurse John Marham explainsthe difference that Combat Stress’senhanced Community Outreachcapability can make:

“We can support veterans after they havehad treatment as an in-patient andprovide support for those waiting foradmission. It makes sense to be able todeliver the kind of evidence-basedtherapies we offer in our treatmentcentres to Veterans out in the communitytoo.”

His colleague Alex McCall added:

“Joining Combat Stress has been arevelation. For the first time I feel that Ican actually make a difference. My role asa Mental Health Practitioner within theAnglia Community Outreach teaminvolves not only taking talking therapiessuch as Cognitive Behaviour Therapy intopatients’ homes but also allows me tothink outside the box and get involved inreal holistic patient care such as settingup local groups in the community tobring Veterans together.”

Increasing numbers of ex-Servicemen andwomen are already seeing the benefits ofthe charity’s new Community Outreachoperation – not just in the Anglia region,but also in Scotland East, Scotland West,Wales and The Midlands, England NorthEast and England North West.

Combat Stress hopes to expand thisservice across the UK with monies raisedthrough The Enemy Within appeal – thecharity’s three-year, £30 millionfundraising campaign launched by HRHThe Prince of Wales last March.

ContactsTo find out how Combat Stress can reachout to veterans in your community visitwww.combatstress.org.uk.

Combat Stress roll-out new outreach serviceTaking treatment direct to veterans in the community

Veterans are still waiting, on average,more than 14 years before seeking thehelp of Combat Stress: by this stage theirmental health condition has oftendeteriorated badly; self-medicationthrough alcohol is not uncommon and,for many, social isolation is the norm.


When Allen Partonfounded theHounds for Heroescharity, he made itsmission clear: toprovide bespokeassistance dogs for

members of the Armed Forces*, servingor ex-Service, who are disabled.

THE charity is now preparing to purchaseits first puppies, aiming to commencetraining of the first five ‘recruits’ in May2011.

Allen Parton speaks with conviction,brought back from the brink by his ownassistance dog, Endal. His experience asan injured Naval officer brings a valuableinsight to the charity’s development.

“Someone who has sustained their injuryduring Service will almost always have abuilt-in need to fight what has happenedto them. They are not in denial; they arefocused on survival and the need to havea normal life,

“An assistance dog will not be their firstidea of a solution to their problem. But itmade a real difference to my family.Endal gave me back my independence,relieving the pressure on my family.

“It’s not about disability but all about promoting - ability. And it’s the dogs that

make the push for normality possible. For the right person, a dog can help thatprocess, every four-legged step of theway.”

Allen is now building a working relationship with the welfare sections ofthe Armed Forces and ex-Service organisations, where the referrals will besourced by professionals already workingwith the rehabilitation of Servicemen andwomen. The Royal British Legion, RoyalNavy Benevolent Trust and Royal AirForce Association have been supportingthe charity from the beginning and willcontinue to be a major link between theService personnel and the dogs.

The dogs will not be trained to perform amultitude of ‘tricks’ but taught a basic setof tasks that can be performed well and insynergy with their human companion’slifestyle. Allen explained,

“If a client needs their dog to open andclose a washing machine, then it will betaught to do so. And anyone who wantstheir dog to accompany them to the pubon a Friday night and put their wallet onthe bar, that can be taught too!

“I know from personal experience that anassistance dog can be the perfect companion, especially if they are individually trained for an individual’sneeds.”

“They can return a person’s independenceand enable them to make choices again.A dog can, without doubt, open the doorto a better quality of life.”

Hounds for heroesCanine ‘recruits’ to help disabled veterans live independently

Contacts

Editors Note * the assistance dogs willalso be provided to injured membersof the Police and Fire Services.

If you would like to know more abouthow Hounds for Heroes can support aveteran in your care, then call 07788 934455, email [email protected] visit: www.houndsforheroes.com

“It’s notabout disability butall about promoting –ability.”Allen’s assistance dog Endal Junior, performs a number of tasks to support him from posting envelopes to picking items from shop shelves

The Hounds for Heroes Team

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Newbuild, low rental, accessible houses available for veterans now.

New Homes For Veterans

Editors Note: The homes are alsoavailable to disabled Merchant Navy,Police and Fire Brigade personnel.

To contact the Veterans ScotlandCentral Housing Register visitwww.veteransscotland.org.uk or call 0131 550 1595.

ContactsTHE Associationcurrently owns 612houses grouped at 74locations acrossScotland from theBorder north to the

Great Glen. Although all properties arelocated in Scotland, existing tenantscome from across the UK.

In 2007, the Association undertook amajor study to identify how it couldreduce the waiting time to offer houses toeligible and, in particular, high priorityapplicants. The Association’s waiting listof 417 compared to their turnover oflifetime tenancies which had averagedonly 31 per year over the previous sixyears needed to change.

As a result of the study, and with thegrowing demand from youngerServicemen and women leaving theServices often through serious injury inmore recent conflicts, the Associationlaunched its ‘Houses for Heroes’ Appeal.The target was to raise £6m to build up to

60 new, two-bedroom, accessible housesat various sites across Scotland in ninephases over the next five years.

By September 2010, the Association washalf-way to the fundraising target. Thisgreat start has meant that 20 houses, atMotherwell, in Scone, near Perth,Penicuik, south of Edinburgh and atAirdrie have been completed and areready for occupation. Work has nowcommenced on building two furtherbungalows at Airdrie.

Robert Watson, SVGCA Chairman said,

“With these new flats or bungalowsavailable, and two more bungalows underconstruction, we are now actively seekingtenants with long-term disabilities,particularly from those wounded in Iraqor Afghanistan, for these low-rental,modern, wheelchair-friendly properties aswell as for our other existing vacantproperties.

“If you are a disabled ex-Serviceman orwoman or you know of, or are currentlytrying to place, a disabled veteran intohousing, please contact us direct oradvise the individual to apply through theVeterans Scotland Central HousingRegister which covers all VeteransHousing in Scotland.”

The Scottish Veterans’ Garden City Association (SVGCA) was founded in 1915 toprovide homes for disabled veterans from the First World War. It is now the UK’slargest charity providing and maintaining low rental housing, on lifetimetenancies, for disabled veterans.

“we are nowactively seekingtenants with long-term disabilities”

The finishing touches are applied to the houses in Scone

A view of one of the bungalows at Penicuik

Dial up success for phonefriendship groups

Seafarers Link uses the technology oftelephone conferencing to link upretired members of the MaritimeCommunity*, giving them theopportunity to exchange stories, shareexperiences and make new friends.

FOLLOWING a lifetime at sea, manyformer seafarers say it’s the closeonboard friendships that they miss mostwhen they retire. This in turn can lead tofeelings of loneliness and isolation asthey struggle to adjust to life back on dryland. To try to combat this growingproblem among retired seamen, the firstSeafarers Link telephone friendshipgroup was launched in Hull recently.

Seafarers Link is free to those wishing toparticipate and allows up to eight peopleto link up on the telephone every two

weeks for up to an hour. The MaritimeCharities Funding Group funds theproject and the UK’s only telephonecharity, Community Network, providesthe telephone conferencing facilities. Toensure the calls are varied, interestingand enjoyable, Community Network alsoprovides free training in how to conducttelephone social groups to one memberfrom each group.

Building on the success of the Hull group,a second group has been established inthe city for women seafarers and,subsequently, further groups have beenset up in Cardiff and on Merseyside. It ishoped that more groups will be formedin the coming months so new membersare very welcome.

Earlier this year, the project receivedofficial recognition when Seafarers Linkwon the BT sponsored THA (The HelplineAssociation) 2010 Award for the MostInnovative Use of Technology inDelivering a Helpline Service.

But the most powerful endorsement ofthe project comes from one of itsmembers. Dave O’Connor spent 50 yearsat sea as a deep-sea arctic fisherman andcaptain in the merchant service. Now

retired, he runs the Hull group and is inno doubt of the benefits it brings.

“Seafarers Link has revitalised the formerseamen in the group. We swap storiesabout the ships on which we served andthe adventures we had,” he said. “Weeven meet up occasionally.”

An innovative project totackle the problem of socialisolation among retiredseafarers has enjoyedoutstanding success since itslaunch in June 2009.

ContactsFor more information about SeafarersLink or how telephone befriendinggroups can offer help and friendshipto veterans, please call CommunityNetwork on 0845 619 9992.


Editors Note: *This includesveterans of both the Royal Navyand Merchant Navy.

“SeafarersLink hasrevitalised theformer seamenin the group.”

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Fighting Back from Injury

pace so it looks good on the page

Recent tours of Iraq and Afghanistan have seencasualty numbers for the British Military rise.The primary medical care provided for thesemen and women is world class, ensuring thatmany are able to return to the UK and surviveinjuries that would have been fatal a mere tenyears ago. The recovery pathways for most arelong, gruelling and painful, requiring reservesof courage and determination to adapt to thenew bodies they find themselves left with.

TWO years ago, after moving to a farm on RoyalDeeside, I became aware of the injuries suffered.The tales I heard from friends who were servingconvinced Emma, my wife, and me that we needed

to do something to help.

We had always intended to breed horseson our new farm and immediately could

see the benefit of getting recoveringtroops involved with the horses. The

challenge of riding and the freedomand mobility it provides, combined

with the therapeutic value inrecovering self-esteem and

soothing shattered nerves,that is a feature of

connecting with thehorses, was the startingpoint for Horseback UKJock, an ex-Royal Marinehas created the model,developed with theRoyal Marines thanks tothe close proximity of 45Cdo in Arbroath. Several

courses have been heldwith good results and we are

now ready to open our doorsto all Serving military

personnel and veterans,with the hope that the

reception is as good asthat from the Royal

Marines.Over the past

two years, wehave formed a

team whichaims:

First, to

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

by Jock Hutchison and LCpl Jay Hare 45 Commando Royal Marines

Fighting Back From Injury

“For me personally,HorseBack UK hasgiven me a purposeonce again to serve

the people of thiscountry, whichI have always

been proudto do”


Contacts

Fighting Back From Injury

empower wounded personnel themselves tohave a direct input into the recoverypathways of comrades returning home.“Help our Heroes Help Themselves” is ourmotto. This is a charity ‘for the boys, to berun by the boys’. We already have severalinjured servicemen who will be leaving themilitary who, funding allowing, will becomepart of the team here. Their experiencesboth before and after injury are invaluable.Although now he only has one leg, ourmountain leader can get on his horse andlead others to areas where he thought hewould not return. He can inspire others todo likewise.

Second, to prepare them for a civilian lifebeyond the military by exposing them to asmany rural occupations as possible (most ofus don’t want desk jobs) and by engagingwith Colleges and Universities (RobertGordon University and the ScottishAgricultural College) to ensure that they cangain qualifications during their recoverypathway.

The third aim is integration into a vibrantcommunity where interaction with civilianscan take place without the need to be‘wheeled out’. The commandos wereoriginally formed by gamekeepers andghillies from Scotland and there is greatsynergy to this day between the two ways oflife.

Finally, inclusivity - by which we mean nomatter what the injury or with which branchof the Armed Forces a man or woman served,there is a place for them here. We haveveterans working with us, some physicallyinjured, others suffering from mental healthproblems as a result of their time serving thecountry. By bringing both the veterans andserving personnel together, we ensure bothparties learn from each other in a familiarenvironment with like minded people. Allfeel entirely at home with the serving troopsrecovering here.

As an organisation, we have achieved agreat deal over the last two years, but stillhave much work to do. We hope that withrecent funding from Help for Heroes and byco-ordinating with BattleBack and otherorganisations involved in the recoveryprogrammes of our service people we canhave a major input into ensuring that menand women that gave so much are able tomove forward with the hope and dignitythey deserve.

What follows is a typical story (Marines callthem “dits”) of just one of those at the heartof Horseback and who was wounded inAfghanistan. People such as him do notwant sympathy or pity but do need time,space and a supportive, familiar environmentto adjust to a new body, come to terms withthe anxieties and psychological harm thatactive service can induce, and begin to equipthem for the demands of our civilian world.

THE DIT

Lance Corporal Jay Hare is the idealperson to explain the benefits of thisunique charity . . .

I was a deployed with 45 Commando RoyalMarines on Op Herrick 9 to FOB (ForwardOperating Base) Robinson, Sangin Valley,Afghanistan.

In November 2008, I stepped on a randomlyplaced IED (Improvised Explosive Device). Iremember little of what followed but,remember waking in the Intensive Care Unitat Selly Oak Hospital, Birmingham two weeks,later.

Surgeon Commander Lambert RN and theteam at Camp Bastion had done a fantasticjob, but my heart still sank as the doctorinformed me of my injuries. I lost my left legbelow the knee, three digits on my righthand, my left eye, and sustained severe facialdisfigurement as well as nearly losing my armto a piece of shrapnel that had torn an arteryduring the blast.

I was moved from the ICU to S4 ward withthe rest of my injured comrades. There I wasgiven Unit towels, wash kit, track suit, shorts,Unit T-shirt and crucially a Commando GreenBeret. All courtesy of 45 Commando’swelfare package. The Unit welfare team wasextremely supportive not only to ourselvesbut to all our families.

After five weeks at Selly Oak, I wastransferred to Headley Court MilitaryRehabilitation Centre.

Headley Court can be a shock to the systemcompared to hospital life. Routines arebased on a military programme andmornings start with an early parade, followedby physical exercise in the well-equippedTrafford gym watched over by extremelycapable remedial instructors. Then on tospecifics with the physio or sessions with the

occupational therapist. . Within the week areappointments with the prostheticdepartment preparing or tweaking limbs toindividual needs.

After two three- week stints at HeadleyCourt, I was discharged back to 45Commando to carry on my rehabilitation andreturn to work within the Unit. After arrivingat Headley in a wheel chair I left able to walkunaided and the foundations for starting torun. A testament to the work Headley does for all its patients.

Thanks to the dedication, professionalism,advice and backing of the many agencies,family and friends, we began to integrateback into full Unit life.

It was at this point I was made aware ofHorseBack UK. Myself and a few colleagueswent and visited Jock and Emma. This iswhere we immediately saw and felt thebenefits of being in such tranquilsurroundings, conducting energetic,rewarding, challenging and worthwhileactivities. HorseBack UK has already givenmany of us a renewed spark and enthusiasmfor life. I myself was then ‘drafted’ by theRoyal Marines to join the team at the farm tohelp build and run courses for others thathave to travel the recovery pathway. Injuredservicemen and women are able to attendcourses that give them an insight intohorsemanship as well as rural activities andcareers within the local area, should theywish to pursue them during or after theirservice term. Many injured service personnelwill look to leave the service, and so suchinsight is crucial to the transition to civilianlife. Being able to be a part of such a projectis totally and unequivocally rewarding. Tohelp fellow comrades and brothers in arms isbased in every Services’ ethos, but to helpothers within the community is sheerfulfilment in itself. For me personally,HorseBack UK has given me a purpose onceagain to serve the people of this country,which I have always been proud to do! Thereaction from servicemen, injuredservicemen, former servicemen and the localcommunity is outstanding. Withcollaboration and co-ordination with othercharities, HBUK will trail blaze the way forinjured and needy groups to help each otherin such troubling times.

For further information look atwww.horseback.org.uk

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) haslaunched a new regional networkprimarily aimed at supportingveterans, serving personnel and theirfamilies through the pension andcompensation process. The one yearpilot scheme will see 13 new ‘VeteransAdvisory & Pensions Committees(VAPCs)’ across the United Kingdom.

THE VAPCs replace the previous ‘WarPension Committees’ but this is notsimply a change of name. The newcommittees have been completely re-constituted and have a fresh focus and amuch wider role. This includes:

• Acting as advocates for welfare support in the local area and improved cross-Government support. They will engage with the local authorities including through the Armed Forces ‘Welfare Pathway’ pilot schemes to fulfil this role.

• Raising awareness within their regions of the support available to veterans and the Armed Forces

community. This includes compensation and pension schemes for those injured, disabled or bereaved through Service, advice services and the work of the MOD’s Veterans Welfare Service.

• Assisting serving personnel, their families and veterans in accessing the above services and other local support. This will include providing specific assistance and guidance to individuals in their areas and ensuring they are put in touch with the relevant organisations who can help. The committees will also provide an independent element to the Service Personnel and Veterans Agency’s complaints process.

Chairmen and members have now beenappointed to all 13 committees. All arevolunteers and come from a cross-sectionof the local community, including health,social care, legal professionals andveterans groups.

Administration support for the VAPCs isprovided by the MOD’s Service Personneland Veterans Agency. Jon Parkin, theAgency’s Head of Veterans Services said:

“We know from talking to veterans thatproblems they face can often result fromissues affecting a specific area of thecountry. The new VAPCs will have a vital,on the ground, local knowledge of theseissues and will help ensure that Servicepersonnel and veterans needingassistance get the help that’s right forthem, wherever they live.”

“The new committees will ensure that theneeds of veterans and their dependantsare championed at every level fromcentral government to the localcommunity. We will assist in rebuildingthe Armed Forces Covenant and workclosely with local authorities, primary caretrusts and Service charities in the deliveryof services and benefits.

The committees comprise of membersdrawn from all walks of life providing awide range of experience and knowledge,a number of whom have previouslyserved in the Armed Forces.

Located on a regional basis, our localknowledge makes us well placed to servethe veteran community.”

14

The VAPC webpages provides contactinformation for the 13 regional committees

MOD improves support for our armed forces and veterans with launch of new support groups

ContactsMembers of the Armed Forces andVeterans community wanting to contacttheir local committee should contact theVeterans Welfare Centre for their area(see below) or the Veterans-UK Helpline0800 169 2277. Alternatively moreinformation can be found on the VAPCweb-site www.veteransuk.info/vets_advisory.html

“The new committeeswill ensure that theneeds of veterans andtheir dependants arechampioned at everylevel from centralgovernment to thelocal community.”

New Regional network to helpthe Armed Forces Community

Veterans Welfare Centres

South East and London02392 702232Wales and South West 01452 540825The Midlands and Eastern 01562 825527Scotland and Ireland 0141 224 2709North West, North East,Yorks and Humber01253 333494Isle of Man01624 687047

1. East Scotland

The City of Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire, Angus, The Borders,Clackmannan, The City of Dundee, The City of Dundee, The Cityof Edinburgh, Falkirk, Fife, Highland, East Lothian, Midlothian,West Lothian, Moray, Orkney, Perth and Kinross, Shetland, TheWestern Isles.

SPVA Veterans Welfare Centre: 0141 224 2709

2. West Scotland

Argyll and Bute, East Ayrshire, North Ayrshire, Dumfries andGalloway, Dumbarton and Clydebank, East Dunbartonshire, TheCity of Glasgow, Inverclyde, North Lanarkshire, SouthLanarkshire, Renfrewshire, East Renfrewshire, Stirling.


3. North East

The Counties of Cleveland, Durham, and Northumberland, andthe metropolitan county of Tyne and Wear

SPVA Veterans Welfare Centre: 01253 333494

4. North West

The Counties of Cheshire, Cumbria and Lancashire and themetropolitan counties of Greater Manchester and Merseyside


5. Isle of Man

Isle of Man


6. Yorkshire and Humber

The County of North Yorkshire, the metropolitan districts ofBarnsley, Bradford, Calderdale, Doncaster, Kirklees, Leeds,Rotherham, Sheffield, Wakefield, the non-metropolitan districtsof East Riding of Yorkshire, Kingston upon Hull, North EastLincolnshire, North Lincolnshire and York.


7. Wales

All of Wales


8. West Midlands

The counties of Herefordshire, Shropshire, Staffordshire,Warwickshire, and Worcestershire and the metropolitan countyof West Midlands


9. East Midlands

The counties of Derbyshire, Leicestershire., Lincolnshire,Northamptonshire and Nottinghamshire


10. South West

The Counties of Avon, Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Gloucestershire,Somerset and Wiltshire, and the Isles of Scilly


11. South East

The Counties of Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, East Sussex,Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Kent, Oxfordshire, Surrey, and WestSussex


12. London

All of Greater London


13. Eastern

The Counties of Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Essex,Hertfordshire, Norfolk, and Suffolk


14. Northern Ireland

All of Northern Ireland


15. Republic of Ireland

All of Republic of Ireland


VETERANS ADVISORY & PENSIONSCOMMITTEES(VA&PC)

1

2

3

456

78

9

10

13

1112

14

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The centre will be the first of its kindnorth of London and will help veteranswho are homeless and suffering withmental health issues, alcohol and drugproblems and family breakdown.

THE Norcare Veterans’ Centre has been setup by housing support charity Norcare tohelp the growing population of ex-Servicemen and women who struggle toadjust to life when they leave the Forces.

The Norcare Veterans’ Centre will offersupported accommodation in fullyfurnished en-suite rooms as well asoutreach services such as training andemployment support, welfare and debtadvice, family liaison and counselling,health and wellbeing programmes andspecialist help for issues such as trauma.Susan Bickerton, Norcare chief executive,said:

“Some veterans do slip through thesupport net and end up homeless orsuffering problems with alcohol or drugaddiction or mental ill health. They mightstruggle to adapt to life outside the Forcesand are reluctant to ask for help when theyfall on hard times.“The Norcare Veterans’ Centre is designedspecifically for people from the ArmedForces, providing the specialist supportservices that they need in an environmentin which they feel comfortable.”

The centre has been set up in a convertedprivate house in Newcastle and aims torecreate a home from home for veterans,many of whom will be used to the family

feel and camaraderie of communal living.The Norcare Veterans’ Centre hasresidential spaces for a total of five veteranswho are expected to stay for between sixand twelve months and will be supportedto move on to independent living.

It will also offer an outreach service to otherveterans in the area and expects to help upto 75 veterans a year. Norcare will bring inexperts from a variety of otherorganisations to provide the range ofspecialist support needed to help theveterans.

The Newcastle centre has been set up as apilot and it is hoped that other centres inother cities across the North East willfollow.

The Norcare Veterans’ Centre wasestablished at a cost of £700,000. TheBritish Legion provided £232,000 over atwo-year period for the operational costs ofrunning the centre, Norcare is investing£200,000 in the project, and theFuturebuilders England Fund has loanedNorcare £219,000 plus an additional grantof £47,000.

Centre to help “homelesswar veterans” opens A new centre to help some of the hundreds of homeless war veterans across the UK opens inNewcastle upon Tyne.

The centre was officially opened by The Lord Mayor of Newcastle with special guest ThomasSivell, a 104 year old veteran who saw service in the Far East as well as the Second World War.

ContactsFurther information about Norcare can befound by visiting www.norcare.co.uk.

“The NorcareVeterans’ Centreis designedspecifically forpeople from theArmedForces...” Special guests at the official opening

Defence Secretary Dr Liam Fox made theannouncement of the new provisionsfollowing the publication of anindependent Report by Dr AndrewMurrison MP – Fighting Fit – A mentalhealth plan for servicemen andveterans’., which was published on 6October.

DR MURRISON'S report, which wascommissioned by Prime Minister DavidCameron, makes wide-rangingrecommendations including:

• 30 extra mental health nurses in England dedicated to caring for veterans experiencing mental health difficulties

• a 24 hour veterans mental health helpline

• enhancements to existing Service medical examinations;

• an uplift in the number of mental health professionals conducting veterans outreach work from Mental Health Trusts in partnership with a leading mental health charity;

• a Veterans Information Service to be deployed 12 months after a person leaves the Armed Forces; and

• trial of an online early intervention service for serving personnel and veterans.

The Government has accepted all of DrMurrisons’s recommendations and theMOD is working with the Department ofHealth to implement them.


Increase in mental healthcare support

A new purpose-built mental healthcarefacility for Service personnel in Peterborough [Andy Cargill ABIPP, Crown Copyright/MOD2009]

ContactsThe report, 'Fighting Fit - A mental healthplan for servicemen and veterans', can beviewed athttp://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/AboutDefence/CorporatePublications/PolicyStrategyandPlanning/FightingFitAMentalHealthPlanForServicemenAndVeterans.htm

Mental health professional Captain Steven Michelwright (right) speaks with a serviceman at the Camp Bastion field hospital in southern Afghanistan[Corporal Rich Denton, Crown Copyright/MOD 2008]

Extra provisions for Service personnel and veterans with mental health issues were announced in October.

18

AT the time ofdiagnosis, Suzanne (pictured) was on apermanent commission with a

promising career and expected to remainin the RAF until age 55, she felt very aloneand vulnerable about her future and howMS would affect her and career.

Fortunately for Suzanne, another officerwith MS heard of her diagnosis and contacted her. Talking to someone in thesame situation helped enormously andacknowledging the importance of this, the

officer explained that he wanted to set upa self-help group for military personnelwith MS. Suzanne was immediately ropedin to help and shortly afterwards, in 1991,Mutual Support was born. Unfortunately,Suzanne was medically discharged fromthe RAF in 1995 due to MS.

Fast forward 19 years and she is nowChairman of this amazing group. MutualSupport offers support to serving andretired personnel and their dependants.The group is run entirely by volunteersfrom within the membership of 350. Lifechanging advice and guidance from the

painful process of moving into the evermore complicated benefits system,claiming war pensions to making claimsunder AFCS is given. Residential supportweekends are run, where members receiveadvice and guidance from expert speakersthrough a programme of presentations,seminars and group discussions.

A diagnosis of MS for anyone is hard but itis much harder for Service personnel andtheir families because they lose not onlytheir good health but also, ultimately, their careers and therefore, their serviceaccommodation.

Suzanne says “We know there are individuals out there who have MS andaren’t aware of Mutual Support, we wantto let them know we are here to help, freeof charge, in whatever way we can andurge them to contact us.”

Membership of Mutual Support is free andopen to serving and ex-serving membersof the Armed Forces and Reserves, theirdependants and carers.

Helping Serving and ex-Service personnel cope with Multiple SclerosisAfter the traumatic early days of diagnosis, Mutual Support continues to provide crucial support for its members long into the future.

For further information: [email protected] visit www.mutualsupport.org.uk

Suzanne Crighton was a Flight Lieutenant with a promising career in front of herwhen she was given the shocking news that she had Multiple Sclerosis (MS).

“we are here to help”Contacts

Suzanne, Chairman of Mutual Support, run entirely by volunteers


Pathway Advances ForwardWigan Borough Veterans Council continues to strive to improve the lives of local area veterans

The Wigan Borough Veterans Council(WBVC) is a non-profit organisationthat provides practical advice andguidance for veterans who have servedin the UK Armed Forces and MerchantNavy, of all ages and backgrounds. Itoffers assistance to former Servicepersonnel to ensure access to the manyservices offered by local authorities,ranging from Housing, Health andSocial care, Employment andEducation, as well as to Church servicesand helping with applications forVeterans Badges.

THE WBVC are supporting the ArmedForces Community ‘Welfare Pathway’ pilotwith Wigan Council to further benefitveterans and their families in Wigan. Thegoal is to ensure they get the help andsupport they require from the MOD,Statutory providers and the Voluntary andCommunity Sector.

The WBVC already has a number of keypartners with other organisations such asSPVA, RAFA, SSAFA, Combat Stress and iscontinuously expanding. These

organisations already work together ata local level, Des White, WBVCChairman explained:

“We welcome the Welfare Pathwayinitiative which builds on theframework we have already set up toprovide practical advice and guidancefor the veterans’ element of the ArmedForces Community in Wigan.”

“One of the benefits of a goodrelationship with the local council isthe great deal of support they canprovide. The WBVC and Wigan Councilworking closely together have come toan agreement that Service personneland veterans now have priority inbecoming a council tenant six monthsafter leaving the Armed Forces.”

Local Veterans Group meetings are heldon a regular basis with members of theLocal Council and representatives ofstatutory bodies to discuss what issuesconcern WBVC members and whatservices can be improved or introduced tobetter support the Armed ForcesCommunity.

As a non-profit organisation, it is run byseveral ex-Service volunteers who knowwhat its members are going through andcan identify with the concerns they mayhave. There are also a number ofVoluntary and Community Sectorvolunteers. Anyone who wants to gainnew skills and actively support the localcommunity is welcome to join. The teamalso now includes two volunteers withprevious experience in legal anddisablement issues, who can act asadvocates for veterans with any issuesand concerns they may have.

Wigan Borough Veterans Council hasbeen extremely proactive in supportingWigan Council’s Welfare Pathway pilotscheme and expect to continue to work inpartnership with the council, and themany local ex-Service organisations in thearea, for continued success in the future.

ContactsFor more information about the serviceplease visit www.veteranscouncil.org.ukYou can also contact us on 01942 861019 oremail [email protected] National Point of Contact telephonenumber 08000 223366

Des White, Chairman of WBVC

Editors Note: As the main partner ofthis year’s Armed Forces Day, WBVCattracted a staggering 10,000attendees from the Wigan Borougharea to honour the Armed Forces.

A veteran in need

A veteran returned to Normandy on atrip arranged by his friends to visit thebattle site and pay his respects to fellowcomrades who died there. Sadly, thetrip unlocked many distressingmemories that had been buried foryears and, shortly afterwards, heexperienced a number of personal anddomestic problems. After he contactedthe WBVC, they provided support andcounselling referrals to a partnerorganisation that helped him to getthrough this difficult time.

WBVC Offices at Platt Bridge Community Zone

“One of thebenefits of a goodrelationship withthe local council isthe great deal ofsupport they canprovide.”

Contacts

20

Chronic pain can be a problem for someveterans, and can persist for years afterthe original injury has healed. Chronicpain can result from a range of injuriesincluding combat-related injuries, andthose sustained while on exercise or intraining.

CHRONIC PAIN can last for a considerableperiod and, for some people, can be hardto treat. Conventional painkillers aresometimes not effective for chronic pain,and there are often no simple medical orsurgical answers. However, with specialistintensive help and treatment, it is possibleto enjoy a better quality of life with chronic pain problems – the Bath Centrefor Pain Services is a specialist NHS centreproviding such interventions and they arealready treating veterans.

Some veterans have both chronic painand post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)resulting from the same injury - each condition exacerbating the other – thepain is a constant reminder of the traumatic event, and the fear and tensionoften associated with PTSD can make thepain seem worse.

Dr Jeremy Gauntlett-Gilbert of the BathCentre for Pain Services said: “There are

some veterans out there who are really introuble with pain, long-standing disabilityand emotional difficulties. They haveoften seen many doctors and already takethe strongest painkillers, but they are still‘stuck’ in their lives and need help tomove forward. Specialist pain rehabilitation can sometimes help – butyou need the right mixture of expertise sothat the rehab team can handle issues ofPTSD when they come up.”

The Bath Centre for Pain Services is anexample of a national, specialist NHS service that provides intensive, specialistrehabilitation for chronic pain problemsand is also staffed with specialists who canhelp with problems of psychological trauma. Veterans are treated alongside

other patients in order to help re-integration into civilian life. The rehabis tough, and both physically and emotionally challenging. Sometimes veterans need to learn to slow down andpace themselves – often the opposite ofwhat they did in their Service careers.Although this kind of help is not a guaranteed ‘cure’ for chronic pain, it canhelp some people to become fitter, morepositive and more able to deal with theiremotions.

Although this kind of help is not a guaranteed ‘cure’ for chronic pain, it canhelp some people to become fitter, morepositive and more able to deal with theiremotions.

For further information on this service,call Dr Jeremy Gauntlett-Gilbert or DrLance McCracken on 01225 473 427 orvisitwww.bathcentreforpainservices.nhs.uk . It is located at the Royal National Hospitalfor Rheumatic Diseases, which providesNHS services that can help veterans withchronic pain and head injuries –www.rnhrd.nhs.uk

Ex Royal Marine exercises after suffering long term chronic pain in his neck and back

Chronic pain help is at hand for veterans

“Although this kind ofhelp is not a guaranteed‘cure’ for chronic pain, itcan help some people tobecome fitter, more positive and more able todeal with their emotions.”


Following a year-long pilot project tosupport veterans with problematicalcohol and social issues, SAMH(Scottish Association for Mental Health)has announced that it intends tocontinue its ‘Gateways for Veteransservice’.

THE successful project, which ran inInverclyde from March 2009 to March2010, saw the employment of a dedicatedVeterans Bridgeworker, working directlywith veterans and their families. The aimof the service was to encourage veteransto self-manage and make informedchoices, enabling them to engage withwider social support networks.

Within a seven-month period, 46 veteransreceived the support required to enablethem to access veterans’ agencies andlocal resources.

Some of the problems faced by veteranswho used the service included:

• The use of alcohol and other substances as a coping mechanism for mental health issues related to their time in service

• Financial issues, lack of awareness of how to claim for benefits, and difficulties with form filling

• Relationship, unemployment and housing issues

• Delaying asking for support or advice,with delays ranging from two to 34

years

SAMH was keen to continue its work withveterans in Inverclyde beyond the pilot.Now the veterans support service will beincorporated into the organisation’sexisting service provision in the area.

Gateways To Service has a strong focus onthe principles of social inclusion andencourages people to develop widersocial contacts within their community.The service offers support to establishpositive links with community activitiesand resources which could improve aperson’s health and wellbeing andprevent social isolation.

Veterans who engaged with the servicehave spoken about the support they weregiven:

“I haven’t spoken to anyone about myfeelings in 12 years, “said one. “I feel veryisolated and lonely at times. I now feel asif I’ve got something to get up for in themorning. I’m enjoying my computingclasses and being in among company.”

“Thank you for listening to me. I reallyappreciate the support from Gateways forVeterans and the veterans’ agencies. I stillhave a long way to go in dealing with myaddictions and financial problems,however I ‘m going to give it a try. I didn’tknow where to turn to before I came tothe service.”

Bernie McKee, the SAMH VeteransBridgeworker, said:

“The pilot highlighted the lack ofawareness for veterans in accessing localresources and services that could bebeneficial to the issues they were facing,including their own isolation. Awareness

of national veterans’ agencies was alsovery poor.

“My understanding of veterans’ issues haschanged considerably after hearing abouttheir experiences of being in the ArmedForces, and the barriers they and theirfamilies have faced in the transition frommilitary to civilian life.”

Contacts

Inverclydeveterans’ initiativegets green light

Scottish Association for Mental Health to continue with its veterans service.

To find out more about theGateways To Service in Inverclydecall : 01475 806 013 or write to:SAMH Gateways To Service, 7/8Broomhill Way, Greenock. PA15 4HE

“I still have a longway to go in dealingwith my addictionsand financialproblems, however I‘m going to give it a try.”

“My understandingof veterans’ issueshas changedconsiderably . . .”

Bernie McKee, SAMH Veterans Bridgeworker

22

British Ex-Services Wheelchair SportsAssociation (BEWSA) was formed in1987, after a small group of disabledex-Service men and women receivedan invitation to participate in the Paralysed Veterans of America annualNational Veterans Wheelchair Games,the largest wheelchair games in the

world. BEWSA is the only ex-Serviceassociation, outside the USA, allowedto compete and will be sending teamsto the 30th National Veterans games in2011.

THE members train in all aspects of sportfrom archery and basketball, to track andfield events; each person is encouragedand supported by BEWSA to train to thehighest level of their ability.

Edwin Thomas, BEWSA Chairmanexplained,

“Training weekends and welfare clinicsare held monthly at RAF Cosford, WestMidlands. We also provide assistance withthe provision of training, equipment,wheelchairs, and costs towards specialistevents from tennis to ice hockey. We’relooking at rehabilitation at its best andwhere needed.”

Did you know?

BEWSA became the first British Sub AquaClub (BSAC) registered disabled scubadiving branch, called Millennium 2000. Ithas given disabled veterans the opportunity to become qualified divers,12 are now qualified, others are nearingqualification. A team of disabled diversrecently visited the Red Sea to completetheir warm water diving training.

BEWSA also provides advice on welfarematters, entitlement to benefits, disabilityrights and issues, as well as undertakinggrant applications to the main ArmedForces/Service charities and RegimentalAssociations. Referrals to BEWSA can bemade personally by veterans or via Service and ex-Service organisations; visits and talks can be also arranged.

Veterans encouraged to become team players.How one charity promotes welfare and rehabilitation of disabled veterans through sport and training.

“veterans train inall aspects ofsport fromarchery and basketball, totrack and fieldevents”

The BEWSA Team of divers complete their warm water diving training

Contacts


to become team players.f disabled veterans through sport and training.

For more information call the BEWSA chairman Edwin Thomas, JP on 01326 318780, email [email protected] or visit www.bewsa.org. For welfare enquiries call Richard Simmons on 01670 363192 or email [email protected]

BEWSA changed my life

Emma Burns, a disabled veteran, explains:

“I served both on a minesweeper as a reservist and later as aweapons engineering artificer. I very much enjoyed my serviceand feel I gained a lot from time I spent in the Royal Navy.Before and during my time in the Royal Navy I was alwaysactively involved in sport, everything from volleyball to fieldhockey and judo. When in 2001 a car pulled out in front of mymotorbike on the way to a night class at college I thought thatall the pleasure I had gained from sport would come to anabrupt end now that I was in a wheelchair, and for a few yearsit did.

Things began to change when I and my husband moved toEngland. I was surfing the internet one day when I found a siteshowing ex-Servicemen, who were wheelchair users like me,shot-putting, diving and generally being active and enjoyingthemselves in the process.

Shortly after joining BEWSA, I received a phone call welcomingme to the association and asking me if I would like to go to the2006 National Veterans Wheelchair Games in Alaska. The ensuing training weekends were some of my first experiences of disabled wheelchair sport and I found Iabsolutely loved it and that was before I even managed to getto the US! Alaska was one of the most incredible experiencesof my entire life; I have never seen so many disabled veterans,never mind wheelchair users.

I know that this would have been impossible without the continued help of the various Service charities who have supported BEWSA’s work with disabled veterans for manyyears. I would not have been able to achieve what I have. I would truly like to thank them for the funds they provided forthe life-changing experience that I have had and hope thattheir support can continue to allow other veterans to have thesame opportunity as me.”

“The ensuing training weekends were some ofmy first experiences of disabled wheelchair sportand I found I absolutely loved it . . .”

Andrew Mcerlean(former REME) kitting up

24

SPVA News

FULL Resettlement support is available toeligible Service leavers from two yearsbefore discharge from the Forces and upto two years afterwards. This covers one-to-one support from a career consultant, undertaking vocational training courses and finding that allimportant job in ‘Civvy Street’. CareerConsultants can advise on tailoring CVs toa specific job specification and help withpreparation for interview and throughattendance at different workshops, leaversrealise their transferable skills and how tomarket them to employers.

Job Finding Support

CTP employment services are provided by24 Employment Consultants around theUK and an online job matching website,RightJob, which can be accessed via theCTP website. Service leavers can log on tosearch for jobs that fit their criteria andemployers can register at no cost and

upload vacancies and search for candidates.

All Employment Consultants are experts intheir local employment market andthrough direct liaison with employersprovide a constant flow of jobopportunities and well-informed guidanceand advice on opportunities in their localarea.

Many major employers already use theCTP job finding services because theyrecognise that Service leavers can bringnot only professional skills but excellent transferable qualities to theirorganisations. These include soft skillsand attributes such as self discipline;reliability, teamwork and loyalty which areof great value to employers.

Many major employers already use theCTP job finding services

Supporting Veterans for Life

Support does not end once leavers havebeen out of the Forces for more than twoyears and are therefore no longer eligiblefor resettlement services. In addition totheir work as part of the Career TransitionPartnership, the Regular Forces Employment Association (RFEA), The Officers’ Association (OA) and the Officers’

Association Scotland, are registered Charities, who provide employment helpand support to all ex-Service men andwomen throughout their working lives.

Supporting Veterans seeking employment From Career to CareerEach year, over 18,500 people leave the UK Armed Forces and make the transition to civilian life. Since October 1998, resettlement services for leavers of the Armed Forces have been provided by the Career Transition Partnership (CTP) which isa partnering agreement between the Ministry of Defence and Right Management, who are global career development andoutplacement specialists.

ContactsVeterans seeking employment, can contact the Central Employment Teamon 0121 236 0058. For information onresettlement or to find the location andcontact details of an Employment Consultant visit www.ctp.org.uk

Editors Note: You may also be interested in the following links:www.rfea.org.uk www.officersassociation.org.uk www.oascotland.org.uk

“Many majoremployers alreadyuse the CTP jobfinding services”

“Support does notend once leavershave been out ofthe Forces...”

Major employers recognise the skills service leavers can bring to the workplace

Service leavers have transferable skills thatcan be used in Civvy Street


SPVA News

Our Survey Said . . .

Reasons why you should be visiting theVeterans-UK website.

The SPVA website – www.veterans-uk.info– holds information that will be of interestto the Armed Forces Community and, ifyou work as an advisor, may provide youwith advice that can help you supportveterans.

In a recent survey, more than 300 visitorsto the website gave an insight into whatthey find useful. The results showed:

• 80% would definitely or probably recommend the site to a friend;

• The most searched for information is: Service records and medals information, pensions and compensation, Veterans Community information;

• 76% got some, most or all of what they wanted

• 92% were content with how easy theyfound the site to use (69% good/very good); and

• 95% were content with how clear andeasy to understand the site was (74% good/very good).

David Johnson, SPVA ExternalCommunications Manager, explained thevalue of the survey:

“We want the Veterans-UK website to bethe focal point on the web for accessinginformation on support for UK ex-Servicepersonnel and their families. The resultsshow the site is well used and valued by

most visitors but we want to do more toensure we are meeting their needs. We’rereally pleased that 75 per cent of thosecompleting the survey were veteransthemselves. In January 2010 weintroduced a new ‘Veterans Community’area to the site with a ‘news’ sectionshowing latest announcements, discountsand special offers specially for veterans.

“With this in mind, I would ask readers ofVeterans WORLD and the SPVA Blog toconsider sending us items of interest tothe Veterans Community for publishingonline.”

Video casts an eye on history.

In October, SPVA released the third in itsseries of videos highlighting a variety ofitems of interest to the Service andveterans community.

In the latest release, presenter Don Goldielooks at the work of the Historic CasualtyCasework team, a small, dedicated unitworking within the MOD’s Joint Casualtyand Compassionate Centre (JCCC).

The Casework team deals with all enquiresrelating to individual military fatalitiesoutside the recent past and co-ordinatesinvestigations following the discovery ofhuman remains of personnel killed in theFirst and Second World Wars. Thisfascinating work involves attempts toidentify the casualty and trace their nextof kin or descendants. They then arrangean appropriate military funeral in thecountry concerned, if that is the wish ofthe family.

The team has recently been heavilyinvolved in the Fromelles Project whichcalled for their expertise in theidentification and reburial of 250 Britishand Australian troops who were killedduring the battle in 1916. The videofeatures an interview with Sue Raftree,head of the Fromelles team, who explainsthe procedures that were undertaken inattempting to identify the remains ofthose bodies recovered from their originalresting place.

Honouring the fallen, Fromelles thesearch continues

The Agency also released a podcastexploring the work of the CommonwealthWar Graves Commission (CWGC) and thecontinuing search for relatives of those

who died at Fromelles during the FirstWorld War.

Fromelles (Pheasant Wood) MilitaryCemetery is the newest cemeteryconstructed by the CWGC and is the finalresting place for 250 soldiers who died atthe Battle of Fromelles in 1916. Thesesoldiers were recently discovered in seriesof communal graves in northern France.The search still continues to find relativesof those soldiers.

Ranald Leask, CWGC said:

“The podcast is a great way to find outabout the work of the CommonwealthWar Graves Commission and our recentwork at Fromelles. It will provide much-needed awareness of our continuingsearch to find relatives of those soldierskilled at Fromelles.”

SPVA videocasts and podcasts areavailable to view on the Veterans-UKwebsite, www.veterans-uk/info and onvarious social media sites such as iTunesand YouTube.

“Very helpful, gaveme some of theinformation I needed and gave medirections as towhere I could findother facts.”

SPVA News continues on Page 26

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

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Veterans World Noticeboard

The site has kept much of the contentand features from before but is clearerand easier to navigate. Seafarers arehoping that both supporters and grantapplicants will find it morestraightforward to use.

THE Seafarers UK website is also the homeof the Nautical Welfare Guide, which isproduced under the auspices of theMaritime Charities Funding Group (MCFG).The guide is a directory of charities thatprovide help to those from the maritime

community, including veterans of boththe Royal Navy and Merchant Navy. Visitors can also view a new set of filmsthat give an insight into the difference thecharity makes to people’s lives. One of thevideos features the story of John, a formerRoyal Marine and wheelchair sportsenthusiast who explains how funding

from Seafarers UK is helping disabledseafarers gain new skills and confidence. Also featured is Ian, a Falklands veteranwho was sleeping rough in London untilhis life was turned around by Veteran’sAid, another charity that Seafarers UKgives money to.

Date Open/Closed From To

Mon 20 Dec to Thur 23 Dec Open 08.15 17.15

Fri 24 Dec Christmas Eve Open 08.15 16.30

Mon 27 Dec to Wed 29 Dec Closed

Thurs 30 Dec Open 08.15 17.15

Fri 31 Dec New Years Eve Open 08.15 16.30

Mon 3 Jan 2011 Closed

Tues 4 Jan to Thur 6 Jan Open 08.15 17.15

Fri 7 Jan Open 08.15 16.30

During the festive period, our Helpline and Welfare staff arecontactable during the following dates:

ContactsPlease take a look at www.seafarers-uk.org.

Latest SPVA podcast looksat bereavement care The Agency’s latest podcast, released inNovember, provides an update on a projectdeveloping services for bereaved members of theArmed Forces Community.

Cruse Bereavement Care, a national charity, isrunning the three-year project, funded by theDepartment of Health. Jenny Green, the ProjectManager takes part in the podcast interview,providing news of the Project’s progress.

Jenny said:

“The podcast is a great way to provide wider awareness of whatthe Project hopes to achieve in support of the Armed ForcesCommunity. Our aim is to provide accessible support, establishnew services and give service specific training for those who aresupporting bereaved people.”

SPVA News cont.

Seafarers UK new-look websiteVisitors to the Seafarers UK website will notice that it has been given a new look.

Still from Ian’s story

John learns new skills

Editors: Note Don’t forget you can also follow SPVA onTwitter and keep updated on news from the Agency.

Christmas Opening Times

How to contact us:

Call the Veterans-UK Helpline - FREE 0800 1692277Minicom (textphone) users call: 0800 169 3458Overseas Callers +44 1253 866043

email: [email protected]: www.veterans-uk.info

Don’t be afraid to ask for help and support.Meeting other young bereaved service parents can be very reassuring. Each service has a widows’association for the partners of people who die in service. Their details are below.Cruse has been helping bereaved people and their children for more than 50 years – our services are free to bereaved people.

How to contact Cruse Bereavement CareNational helpline: 0844 477 9400Email: [email protected] young people’s helpline: 0808 808 1677Cruse website: www.cruse.org.uk (with a section for military families)Cruse young people’s website: www.RD4U.org.ukCruse Central O!ce Telephone: 0208 939 9530Fax: 0208 940 1671Email: [email protected]

Cruse Northern IrelandKnockbracken Healthcare ParkSaint!eld Road, Belfast BT8 8HBTelephone: 028 9079 2419www.cruseni.org.ukCruse WalesTy EnerglynGwrt Llanfabon, Caerphilly, CF83 2TPCruse Bereavement Care ScotlandRiverview HouseFriarton Road, Perth PH2 8DFwww.crusescotland.org.uk

Service Widows AssociationsArmy: www.armywidows.org.ukNaval & Marines: www.rnrmwidowsassociation.orgRAF: www.rafwidowsassociation.org.uk

Sponsored by a grant from ABF The Soldiers’ Charity

Contactsif you would like further information or get involved insupporting bereaved Service Families visit www.cruse.org.ukand click onto the Military section. Alternatively, email JennyGreen, Armed Forces Project Manager, Cruse BereavementCare [email protected]

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veterans world - issue 18

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