Armed forces community support

A veteran is anyone who has served for at least one day in the armed forces, whether regular or reserve. This also applies to Merchant Navy seafarers and fishermen who have served in a vessel when it was being used for military operations by the armed forces.

For more information on how the NHS can help if you're in the British armed forces or are a veteran, a reservist or a family member of someone who is serving or who has served visit NHS England - www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/armed-forces-community/

Op Courage

Informed by feedback from veterans and their families, all NHS specialist veterans mental health services will now come under one new name - Op COURAGE: The Veterans’ Mental Health and Wellbeing Service. 

Website: https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/armed-forces-community/mental-health/veterans-reservists/

 

Veterans Trauma Network (VTN) 

The VTN is a collection of 12 NHS Veteran Trauma Centres and four specialist units, each with military and civilian medical experts who will be able to help you with your physical service-related health problem. They will work with you to develop the best clinical plan for your needs.

Download the VTN Overview for further details.

Ask your GP to refer you to the VTN at england.veteranstraumanetwork@nhs.net

 

Armed Forces Health Podcast

A brand-new NHS Armed Forces Health Podcast launches on Wednesday 3 August. This podcast series has been commissioned by the Armed Forces Public Patient Voice Group (AF PPVG) in order to be used as a resource for the Armed Forces community to support them in understanding and navigating the NHS and to raise awareness of how to become empowered advocates for their own health as a patient or family member of one.

There are six episodes in all taking the listener on a journey through the different aspects of the NHS. They can listen to the whole series or one that is relevant to them. The guests are all members of the AF PPVG who gave up their time to pass on their expertise and experiences they felt were relevant.

The series will be released over 6 weeks as follows:

• Episode 1: Wed 3 August - What is the AFPPVG? with Kate Davies, Nicky Murdoch and Tom Fox
• Episode 2: Wed 10 August - Military medical experience and leaving with Dr Johnathan Leach, Paul Findlay and Kate King
• Episode 3: Wed 17 August - Your GP with Dr Jonathan Leach, Kat Dalby-Welsh and Paul Findlay
• Episode 4: Wed 24 August - Physical health with Mr Shehan Hettiaratchy, Gregg Stevenson and Teresa Griffiths
• Episode 5: Wed 31 August - Mental health with Dr Dan Barnard, Tom Fox and Jo Jukes
• Episode 6: Wed 7 September - Family/children with Andrea Collins, Jenny Ward and Jess Stirling-Yeatman

The podcast team believe that this podcast can really change lives by familiarising people with the work that the NHS England Armed Forces Patient and Public Voice (AFPPV) Group does. They hope to reach those who would otherwise not know what services are available to them, and by doing so improve their lives and journeys to recovery.

The podcast will be available on all podcasts apps and channels and will be searchable under the name of the NHS Armed Forces Health Podcast.

Please share this widely with staff and patients who are part of the armed forces community to help support them in their healthcare journey.

For more information on the veteran project here in the Trust please email: esth.patientexperienceteam@nhs.net

 

There are a number of supporting organisations that can help with a variety of needs that are based nationally and locally.

 

Forces Connect App

In as little as just four clicks, the Forces Connect free mobile app can signpost veterans, armed forces personnel and their loved ones to support and advice in their local area. The Forces Connect app is designed to link users in four easy clicks to organisations offering immediate help and support across a wide range of services. The information is updated monthly, there are no charges or adverts and there's no need to enter any personal data.

To download the app, search "Forces Connect" in Apple's App Store or the Google Play Store.                                                                        

                           

SSAFA

SSAFA provides lifelong support for veterans and their families.

Trained SSAFA volunteers can provide practical, emotional and financial support if and when veterans need it, via a network of local branches which means that help and advice is always close at hand.

Website: www.ssafa.org.uk

Telephone: 0800 731 4880

 

Royal British Legion

RBL provides lifelong support for members of the Royal Navy, British Army, Royal Air Force and their families. Key services include household repairs, care homes, financial advice, dementia care, hearing loss and tinnitus services, mobility equipment support and much more.

Website:www.rbl.org.uk

Telephone: 0808 802 8080

 

Help For Heroes

Help For Heroes help veterans, and those still serving, by providing physical, psychological, financial and welfare support for as long as they need it. They also support families, because they too can be affected by their loved one’s wounds.

Website: www.helpforheroes.org.uk

Telephone: 0198 0844 388

 

Blesma

Blesma, The Limbless Veterans, is dedicated to assisting serving and ex-Service men and women who have suffered life-changing limb loss or the use of a limb, an eye or loss of sight in the honourable service of our country.

Website: www.blesma.org

Telephone: 020 8590 1124

 

Fusiliers vs Suicide

Website set up by a group of British Army veterans who have served on the frontline with The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers to raise awareness, educate and equip in suicide intervention skills, in order to defeat the enemy: suicide and save lives.

Website: https://fusiliers-vs-suicide.org

 

The Ripple Pond

Supporting adult family members of physically or psychologically injured British Armed Forces personnel and veterans. Their peer support service will connect you with a network of Forces families, who’ll offer you genuine support and understanding. They also work collaboratively with many other organisations and charities, and have a range of trusted parties that they can signpost you to for specific military family support services.

Website: www.theripplepond.org

Telephone: 0333 900 1028

 

All Call Signs

All Call Signs is an award-winning peer support network for veterans, serving military personnel and their families. Too many veterans, service personnel and family members have nowhere to turn to when life gets tough. All Call Signs is changing that, one conversation at a time. Join a platform purpose-built to support the UK’s military community through bad times and good.

Website: allcallsigns.org

Telephone: 023 9438 7914

 

Surrey County Council

Surrey County Council offer a wealth of support to the armed forces community, including wellbeing hubs and activities ranging from model making and archery to breakfast clubs.

Website: www.surreycc.gov.uk/community/armed-forces

Email: tracey.morris@surreycc.gov.uk

Phone: 07790 585 352

 

Fishing For Heroes

Fishing For Heroes is a nationwide charity based in the midlands with the aim of helping forces personnel who are suffering from emotional issues after the horrors of active service by providing fly fishing instruction.

Website: www.fishingforheroes.com

Telephone: 01332 667 966

 

Veterans In Community

 Veterans in Communities (VIC) is an East Lancashire based Armed Forces charity supporting former ex-service men and women who have served in any of the branches of the Royal Navy, Army, Royal Marines, Royal Air Force, the emergency services (Blue Light) and their families.

The VIC art group is now a well established form of relaxation therapy and they are looking at running virtual art classes, which were popular during the recent COVID-19 lockdowns. If you are interested in attending a virtual art class please contact Darren Horsnell at darrenhorsnell@vic.org.uk or call 01706 833180 for more information.

Website: www.veteransincommunities.org/art-group

 

Haig Housing Trust

Haig Housing is proud to have served the British Veteran community for over 100 years. As the leading housing provider for ex-Service personnel in the UK, the charity now owns over 1,500 properties across 50 locations. 

 

The Trust endeavours to help eligible Veterans in housing need, whether they are transitioning into civilian life or are simply in need of a helping hand.

Website: www.haighousing.org.uk/

Email: enquiries@haighousing.org.uk 

Telephone: 020 8685 5777 (option 4)

 

 

For any further information on support for the armed forces community, or if you’d like to share your experience, please contact the Patient Experience Team at esth.patientexperienceteam@nhs.net