Issue 19 April 2011 ®

MINISTRY OF DEFENCE Raising awareness of the range of help and advice available to veterans

GET PLANNING FOR ARMED FORCES DAY 2011 Service Personnel & Veterans Agency

HELP AND SUPPORT FROM SERVICE PERSONNEL AND VETERANS AGENCY

Joint Personnel Joint Casualty and Administration Centre Compassionate Centre (JPAC) (JCCC) The first point of contact for serving Providing casualty and compassionate personnel reporting services - 24 hours a day

Armed Forces Medals Compensation Scheme Have you claimed your medals? (AFCS) Call us today For injury, ill health and death linked to Service on or after 6 April 05

War Pensions Armed Forces Pension For injury, ill health and death linked Schemes to Service prior to 6 April 05 Have you claimed your pension entitlement? (Service from 1975 onwards) How to contact us Service Personnel Ex-Service Personnel

JPAC opening hours Veterans UK Helpline Monday - Friday 0700 - 1900 0800 169 2277 You may be offered a call back if lines are busy. JPAC Enquiry Centre Lines are open: Monday - Thursday: 0815 - 1715 0141 224 3600 Friday: 0815 - 1630 Mil 94560 3600

Write to us Write to us JPAC Enquiry Centre, Mail Point 403, Kentigern House Veterans Advice Team, 65 Brown Street, Glasgow G2 8EX Service Personnel and Veterans Agency Tomlinson House, Norcross FY5 3WP Online accessibility Email: [email protected] Internet: [email protected] Fax: 01253 332014 Intranet: JPACEnquiryCentre Online JCCC www.veterans-uk.info Contact the JCCC 24 hours a day, seven days a week 01452 519951 Veterans given a sporting chance

Veterans get help to kickstart a healthy New Year ®

April 2011 Contents Issue 19 IN THIS ISSUE 07 5 From Services to Civvy Street Resettlement support for Service Leavers

9 Take Action Useful tips for dealing with debt

14 Home Comforts Opening of new homes for veterans

15 Cooking up a Storm Pryors Bank initiative setting the standard

16 Ticket to Ride Karts help wounded troops hit the tracks

Regulars 4-5 News in Brief 21 SPVA News 22 Noticeboard 11

Front cover: Victoria Cross poppy held by L.Cpl Johnson Beharry, Gardening Leave Page 6

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

For advertising opportunities please contact: [email protected]

Veterans WORLD is distributed to those work in an advisory role. Managing Editor: Laurie Manton Editor: Clare Ellis 20 Deputy Editor: Chrissie Butterworth Email: [email protected]

For distribution enquiries Email: [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 offers help, 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] or by calling: 01253 333882 21

Issue 19 April 2011 3 News in brief Evaluation report into Community Review into NHS Veterans Mental Health Pilots published prosthetics services An independent review into prosthetics Minister for and range of problems being presented services provided by the NHS to ex-Service Defence to advise future planning of NHS mental personnel who have lost limbs while serving in Personnel, healthcare services for veterans. the Armed Forces, was launched in January, by the Health Minister, Simon Burns. Welfare and Veterans, Andrew Robathan, has The Evaluation Report identifies key THE review, led by Dr Andrew Murrison MP, will announced the publication of an components of successful services and look into the prosthetic services currently offered independent evaluation into the makes a number of recommendations. to veterans by the NHS, and assess how these can Community Veterans Mental Health The UK Health Departments will be strengthened to meet future demands on the Pilots (CVMHPs) by the University of consider the Report and examine how service. The review will also gather evidence on Sheffield. its recommendations fit with existing the current and future needs of veterans for prosthetics services, and on the provision and and planned enhancements to NHS cost of services. IN 2007, following concerns that some veterans mental health services. veterans were unwilling to use NHS services or that the NHS was unsuitable Contacts for their specific needs, the MOD, the The report can be downloaded from

Department of Health, and the 7 0

the University of Sheffield website: 0 2

Devolved Administrations launched six

http://www.shef.ac.uk/mediacentre/2 D

NHS veterans’ mental health pilot O M

010/1822.html services in Stafford, Camden and t h g i Islington, Bishop Auckland, Cardiff, r y p

Cornwall and Edinburgh. o C Community Veterans Mental Health n w

Pilots contact details o r C

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Stafford: Veterans Mental Health Service M

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Tel: 01785 257888 m e a

http://www.southstaffsandshropshealth r G

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careft.nhs.uk/Services/Veterans-Mental- e r u t

Health-Service/Default/General- c i Information.aspx P An amputee serviceman has his prosthetic limb adjusted during rehabilitation at Headley Court, Surrey Camden & Islington: Veterans’ Community Mental Health Service Tel: 020 7530 3666 It will also look at: http://www.candi.nhs.uk/veterans/ • the future funding of high specification, Location of private services (red) and comparators (blue). All services are Bishop Auckland: Community Veterans evidence-based prosthetics; services within regionally based except for Combat Stress Mental Health Service the NHS and the possible contribution of which has national coverage. Tel: 01388 646800 personal health budgets and the inclusion of http://www.tewv.nhs.uk/Our- these in continuing healthcare arrangements; The pilots were established to ensure Services/Adult-mental-health- that ex-Servicemen and women with services/Community-Veterans-Mental- • how regional variations in service can be mental health problems had access to a Health-Pilot/ minimised; culturally sensitive expert service offering assessment of their needs, Cardiff: Community Veterans Mental • how the transition from the Armed Forces’ followed by appropriate support and Health Service prosthetics care to the NHS can be improved; treatment. The work of the pilots Tel: 029 2074 2062 and continues beyond the initial two-year http://www.veterans-mhs-cvct.org/ pilot period. • the role of Service charities in helping to Cornwall: Community Veterans Service meet the realistic needs of individuals over and above that which the NHS can provide. An independent evaluation has been Telephone: 01579 335226 conducted by the University of http://www.cornwallpartnershiptrust.nhs Sheffield’s Centre for Psychological .uk/CornwallPartnershipTrust/OurService Dr Murrison will be calling on the experience and knowledge of the British Limbless Ex-Service Services Research. They compared the s/CommunityServices/SupportForVetera Men’s Association (BLESMA) and new model of services provided by the ns.aspx in taking this work forward, as well as the MOD, pilots with existing services already NHS and other Service charities. available in the areas, compared the Edinburgh: Veterans First Point particular approaches of the individual 0131 220 9920 Dr Murrison is expected to report to the Prime pilot sites to identify best practice and http://www.veteransfirstpoint.org.uk/ Minister and Health and Defence Secretaries by collected information on the frequency the end of June 2011.

4 From Troops to Teachers The Troops to Teachers initiative is a new programme announced by the Department The Ministry of Defence are working for Education which aims to bring more Service Leavers into the classroom. closely with the Department for Education to develop and implement the programme. The scheme will have three strands:

• Utilising the Teach Next programme to attract high quality graduate Service Leavers to train as teachers via a replacement programme for the current Graduate Teacher Programme;

• Getting non-graduate Service

9 Leavers into teaching via a guided 0 0 2

pathway to Qualified Teacher D 7 O Status; and 0 M 0

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h getting Service Leavers into schools C g i n r as mentors. y w p o o r C C n The programme is very much at the w A Gurkha soldier teaches schoolchildren about biodiversity at Hythe Ranges in Kent o r development stage, Veterans WORLD C

, n i will report on progress in a future issue . a M e m Enhanced Learning e

a Career Transition Partnership news r G

: Credits - Make Your Claim! e GUIDE TO ARMED FORCES RESETTLEMENT r u t c i Serving personnel and recent Service A new bi-annual employment support for life. The Regular P Leavers are reminded to make the most brochure has been Forces Employment Association (RFEA), of the opportunity to claim Enhanced produced The Officers’ Association and The Officers’ Learning Credits(ELC) to help gain new to raise awareness Association Scotland, in addition to their qualifications. of resettlement integral work as part of the Career across the Service Transition Partnership, are able to provide The ELC scheme allows registered community and employment help and guidance to all members to make a total of three claims within the MOD. ex-Service men and women throughout towards the cost of courses and their working lives. qualifications. All people who registered The Connect for membership and completed four years brochure has been distributed across If you are a veteran and require job qualifying service - from 1 April 2000 or Career Transition Partnership (CTP) finding assistance, please contact the date of enlistment if later - are eligible to Regional Resettlement Centres, Education Central Employment Team helpdesk on use the scheme for up to ten years after and Medical Centres, Service Resettlement 0121 236 0058 leaving the Armed Forces, if they have any Advisers, HIVEs and across MOD. of their three claims left. The first issue includes a foreword from Lt An enhanced CTP website is being ELC may be used to gain qualifications at Gen Sir William Rollo, Deputy Chief of the launched this spring. New features Level 3 and above. The maximum value Defence Staff (Personnel & Training), and include interactive tools to assist those per claim is £1,000 for those who served provides information on all aspects of going through the resettlement four to seven years, or £2,000 for those resettlement, the services CTP provides for process and a wealth of information for who served eight years or more. In all Service leavers, and the further support all across the Service community. For cases, claimants are expected to pay at available to veterans. veterans who have already made the least 20% of the course costs. transition to civilian life, the site will be Connect can be viewed on CTP website a resource that can be re-visited at any www.ctp.org.uk point for a wide range of useful information and job finding support. Contacts Employment support for veterans For details of the scheme, visit Keep checking www.ctp.org.uk for http://www.enhancedlearningcredits.com/ Connect also aims to raise awareness of updates charities who will help veterans with More on Resettlement in Page 10

Issue 19 April 2011 5 Gardening Leave is growing Green-fingered charity for veterans expanding The Gardening increased concentration and self-esteem Leave charity, and hope for the future through reduced founded in 2007 social isolation - Professor Jacqueline by Anna Baker Atkinson at the University of Glasgow Cresswell, provided the first peer-reviewed research provides into the benefits. Horticultural Therapy to serving and ex-Service Last year, two new Gardening Leave Personnel, has launched two new projects at Erskine Hospital and the Royal projects. Hospital Chelsea were opened and like Auchincruive, they provide a peaceful, THE Gardening Leave pilot project was safe environment which is exclusively started in the Ornamental Gardens at the open to the military. Both these projects Scottish Agricultural College at are being externally evaluated by the Auchincruive and initially the referrals Mental Health Foundation and will look came from Hollybush House, the nearby at the extent to which these non-clinical Combat Stress treatment centre. interventions for this client group can provide benefit. At Auchincruive, all the vegetables grown by Gardening Leave go back to the Referrals come from Service charities such kitchens at Hollybush House and as TRBL, Sir Oswald Stoll Foundation; L to R: Tara Jeewoonarain, horticultural Scotland’s only National Collection of SSAFA-FH; Veterans Aid, the NHS and therapist, Anna Baker-Cresswell CE and poppies is being restored by Gardening Combat Stress. Self referrals are also very Kate Gould, Charity Champion garden Leave. The veterans who come to welcome. All new referrals are visited by a designer Gardening Leave say that they like to be member of the Veterans Assessment outside, be together, and have something Team who are Community Psychiatric projects for our Serving Personnel and semi-structured to do; all under the Nurses with military experience who veterans which will improve their mental watchful eye of Pamela, the Horticultural explains what Gardening Leave is and and physical wellbeing. No person is an Therapist, who is supported by a carefully how it can help. Although most veterans island and I am very proud to be able to selected team of volunteers whose job is successfully use NHS services, some are do my bit; they have already done theirs.” to provide reassurance and a friendly ear - more comfortable with healthcare gardening skills are a bonus! providers who have more experience or knowledge of military service. There is plenty of anecdotal evidence to “. . . as more prove that the veterans who come to Anna says, “It is fantastic that as more Gardening Leave derive benefit from it - people get to know about Gardening people get to improved sleep patterns and appetite; Leave and what we do, we can open more know about Gardening Leave and what we do, we can open more projects for our serving personnel and veterans . . .” Contacts For more information visit www.gardeningleave.org or call Evelyn at Head Office on 01292 521 444 or email Veterans working with harvested willow at Gardening Leave Auchincruive [email protected]

6

Allen’s assistance dog Endal Junior, pperforms a number of tasks to support him from posting envelopes to picking items from shop shelves New centre planning to transform lives St Dunstan’s Centre in Llandudno on schedule to open its doors in Autumn 2011 and administrative offices. We have also combined two former bedrooms to make a training flat, which will be especially useful to help people learn independent living skills.

“A lot of the work has been to improve access, widening doorways and installing a new lift, as well as adding rails with tactile signals to help with orientation. Outside we will lay paths to help people navigate the lawns and there will be plenty of space for archery and outdoor sports.”

Construction has started on the extension with the ground and base works and retaining wall completed. The extension will contain 11 high dependency nursing beds fitted with hoists and ensuite wet rooms. There will also be a rehabilitation gym, to be named the Help for Heroes Gym, in honour of their £1 million donation. The gym will include the latest equipment where people will receive training from sports and recreation staff and there will be a separate sports room for archery, bowls and acoustic rifle shooting. Along with a Craft Workshop, there will be a training room where rehabilitation workers specialising in supporting people who are visually impaired will provide one- to-one guidance to equip people with the skills and confidence to safely learn how to navigate their way around a kitchen without the use of their sight. In the Before and after, CGI image of the new centre in Llandudno kitchen they will learn how to make a hot drink and to cook for themselves and their Veterans WORLD caught up with Mick Speaking of progress Mick Byrne said: family without risk of injury. Byrne, St Dunstan’s Project Manager responsible for the refurbishment and “Everything is going to plan and we’re on construction of the charity’s new Centre schedule to open in the autumn of 2011. in Llandudno. We purchased the site in 2008 but as it’s a Contacts Grade II listed building we first had to gain To keep up to date with progress Mick humbly pointed out that while he planning permission for any work to be visit www.st-dunstans.org.uk may head up the project for the carried out. As there is only a certain transformation of the former North Wales amount of change we can make to the Medical Centre, the real transformation will building we are working to stringent take place from the early autumn of 2011. guidelines. *St Dunstan’s is the only charity to Changing the lives of the Service personnel provide direct support through and veterans who will come to the Centre “In May 2010 the refurbishment of the rehabilitation and training to Service where they will receive rehabilitation and building and construction of the extension personnel or veterans who have lost training to help them adjust to a life began. The five storey building will include their sight or are visually impaired as a without sight* and regain their confidence 50 bedrooms, a dining room, a lounge and result of conflict, age, accident or illness. and independence. bar, training rooms, a kitchen, staff rooms

Issue 19 April 2011 7 Scholarships for bereaved Service Children Families of Service personnel killed on active duty will benefit from publicly funded higher education scholarships 9 0 0 2

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A geography lesson at Duke of York’s Royal Military School

The Coalition ‘Programme for than non-graduates, the scheme is children to stay in school to obtain a Government’ included an undertaking designed to enable these young people university place. to provide ‘university and further to get a first degree. In order to get to education scholarships for the children university they must first follow the The scholarship is not a free university of Service personnel who have been academic stream at school and a Further place but a contribution towards the killed on active duty since 1990’. The Education scholarship will help these tuition fees and living costs. The value of scheme is currently being developed the university element of the scholarship and intended for launch this academic The term ‘active duty’ is not used or for the 2010 -11 academic year has been year. Veterans WORLD reports on the defined in the UK armed forces. The set at roughly the sum of the tuition fees progress so far. obvious interpretation of this and the standard maintenance loan. This will be reviewed if and when tuition fees eligibility criterion is those killed in a THE initiative aims to give the children of rise. medal-earning operation. But those killed in the service of their country Ministers have agreed that someone a head start in life. On the basis that Readers will be aware that although MOD killed, for example, on a training graduates earn more over their lifetime operates across the UK, responsibility for exercise prior to deployment has education falls to the Devolved made the same sacrifice as someone Administrations. The sums agreed so far The initiative was introduced to killed on the operation itself. relate to those living in England. At the demonstrate the Country’s Eligibility has therefore been time of going to press discussions are recognition of the sacrifice made widened to the children of those ongoing on scholarships for those by the members of HM Forces whose death is predominantly due bereaved children who have settled in and its determination to rebuild to their service in HM Armed Forces. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. the Military Covenant. The commitment includes those bereaved since 1 January 1990. Editors Note: Veterans WORLD will report on progress in a later issue. 8 Debt overload? Liz Dunscombe, from national money education charity Credit Action, provides some useful advice on dealing with debt. What can be done?

There is nearly always a solution to a debt problem. It may require tough decisions and hard work, but it is possible. Working through the following steps is making a good start on the road to financial recovery.

1. Don’t ignore debts

2. Be honest

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O 3. List debts and draw up a M

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Make a list of all debts. Prepare a n 9 0 w statement detailing income and 0 o r 2

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D expenditure, taking time to produce a O

M realistic estimate of all things money is t h

g spent on. An interactive budget planner is i r y NO-ONE chooses to suffer the pain of available at p o C

unmanageable debt. We are bombarded www.creditaction.org.uk/budgetbuilder n There are several sources of FREE, w by advertising which tells us what the o r independent help for those who need C good life looks like and credit which offers further assistance. 4. Prioritise debts us a way to have it all now. Consumer Credit Counselling Service (CCCS) 0800 138 1111 Prioritise paying those bills for which non- The symptoms of a debt problem Debt Remedy at www.cccs.co.uk. payment will result in loss of home, National Debtline liberty or essential goods and services. Any of the following can indicate a debt 0808 808 4000 problem that needs addressing; Online at www.nationaldebtline.co.uk 5. Check benefits and tax Local Citizens Advice Bureau – their • payments are being returned unpaid, code website (see point 5) has a postcode regular lateness in paying bills or search for the nearest branch. only ever making the minimum Media advertising and marketing Visit the CAB site repayment; telephone calls offering assistance www.adviceguide.org.uk. A useful • having to use a credit card for with debts are generally from calculator is available day-to-day purchases or for cash companies that charge for their www.turn2us.org.uk. withdrawals; services. Even if the initial advice is • borrowing money to pay off or free there will be a cost to any action repeatedly rescheduling debts; 6. Maximise ability to repay they take. They don’t provide a better • struggling to pay priority bills - service than those listed above. mortgage, rent, council tax etc; and Decide on main financial commitments, • being regularly stressed about money. cut down on non-essential spending. 7. Get help if needed

After doing a budget and reviewing expenditure, some people feel able to manage their own debts. Credit Action’s self-help booklet can be downloaded free from the website detailed above.

Issue 19 April 2011 9 Resettlement Support for Early Service Leavers Approximately 20,000 Service personnel leave the Armed Forces each year. collaborative trial ESL scheme later this year. The aim is to directly ‘connect’ the individual to the help and support they most need, including outplacement, welfare and charitable organisations, as well as to other public bodies, like JobCentrePlus and the DWP’s new Work Programme.

Col Ian Waller, MOD’s Assistant Head of Resettlement said: “We recognise that more needs

D to be done to O M t h g i improve r y p o C n

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Skills learned in service are transferable to civilian life packages for For those who serve for more than Last year, Early Service Leavers comprised Early Service their initial contract (four years), approximately half of all those leaving the resettlement provision and the Services (9,380 from 18,570), with associated support and services of the research suggesting that these individuals Leavers and Career Transition Partnership, is are at a disadvantage in securing paid significant, while for those who serve employment and in transitioning that’s why we are for less, it is unfortunately not. successfully back to civilian life. The current resettlement service to ESL is reviewing the mainly practical advice and guidance only. The MOD hopes to provide a more personal and sophisticated service that current provision will improve help to secure a job upon leaving and offer greater support for any of support.” who may be vulnerable to social exclusion.

D “We recognise that more needs to be O

M MOD has now consulted across Industry, done to improve resettlement packages t h

g other Government Departments and for Early Service Leavers and that’s why i r y

p Agencies and the Voluntary and we are reviewing the current provision of o C

Community Sector, to see how all may support. Part of our review, will be n w possibly work together collectively to looking at whether we can enhance o r

C provide a better service to ESL, including provision for those who have served for supporting them post-discharge as new less than four years but have LOOKING to improve this support, the veterans. demonstrated some form of MOD has launched a consultation commitment; such as having completed exercise to see how it may improve its The consultation received positive training and joined front line command. provision to those Service personnel who feedback, with over 20 formal responses leave before completing four years; a to the original consultation document, “Our current resettlement contract group collectively known as Early Service received from across a wide range of expires in 2015, but we won’t be waiting Leavers (ESL). Following the organisations. Those replies are until that date to begin enhancing consultation, there are plans to trial a now being thoroughly reviewed and services for Early Service Leavers – the selected new scheme for six months later considered before the intended review will identify where we can make this year. development and launch of a new improvements straight away.”

10 A Date for the Diary Armed Forces Day 25 June 2011

D O M t h g i r y p o C n w o r C Edinburgh will host this year’s national event

The eyes of the nation will be on Scotland this year when Edinburgh hosts the national event for Armed Forces Day 2011. THOUSANDS of people across the UK will committed and fought over the years. We unite on Armed Forces Day to show their are determined to put on an appreciation for the men and women unforgettable show.” who make up the Armed Forces community – serving personnel (regular It’ll be a busy weekend in Edinburgh so and reserve), their families, veterans and military personnel, their families and cadets. A weekend of celebrations is veterans are urged to put the date in their planned in Edinburgh focusing on a diaries and start planning any necessary march down the Royal Mile, a party in accommodation and travel early on. It’s Holyrood Park, with activities and an air hoped that local businesses and eateries display in Leith. will get behind the Armed Forces event to you and for all Armed Forces Day community; offering discounts and news visit www.armedforcesday.org.uk. The full programme is currently being special offers. compiled but Edinburgh City Council If you’re planning an event, don’t leader Jenny Dawe revealed: Chief of the Defence Staff, General Sir forget to get the details placed on the David Richards said: “I enjoyed myself website. “We’re planning events in the city from immensely at the Armed Forces Day in Friday all the way through to Sunday, Edinburgh last year. It was a pleasure to Editor’s Note: More information about which will showcase the very best the meet so many Scots troops and veterans Armed Forces Day 2011 will be published Armed Forces and Edinburgh has to offer. and I have no doubt that this year in the next issue of Veterans WORLD. We’ll make sure that there’s plenty going Edinburgh will again put on a spectacular on for all age groups because we want weekend. I know that after the parades the Armed Forces, veterans, people of are over the Service personnel and their “It’s a privilege for Edinburgh, and visitors from across the families will join the celebrations.” UK to mix together and enjoy themselves. Edinburgh to have Find out about local events “It’s a privilege for Edinburgh to have the the responsibility to responsibility to host such an important If you are unable to attend the Edinburgh event, honouring those who serve event there are many more events courageously at home and abroad, and planned around the that host such an the millions of veterans who have you could attend. To find the nearest important event”

Issue 19 April 2011 11 pace so it looks good on the page Fighting Back From Injury

Help for Heroes Providing through-life support to the Armed Forces Community.

will support those who leave the Armed Forces to get jobs and provide access to a comprehensive range of services; from learning new skills to accessing psychological, financial, employment, prosthetic and social support – in Bryn’s words “a one stop welfare shop for our wounded and their families”. The Centres will provide comfortable living and learning accommodation on the ‘Road to Recovery’, giving those injured in the line of duty the very best training and opportunities to face a fulfilling future.

Commenting on the Personnel Recovery Centres, Bryn Parry says; “I could not have achieved a fraction of what I have managed to do since my injury if I had not had the support of the Help for Heroes team” - Andy Newell “The Road to Recovery is a very long and hard path. These are young men and Launched in October 2007, Help for thought it was spiralling out of control. I women today but they will grow old. Heroes was co-founded by Bryn Parry, a know they will always be there for the H4H wants to ensure that when the former member of The Royal Green injured guys and girls in times of crisis current level of public support has passed, Jackets and his wife Emma. which will help them achieve much more as it inevitably will, they are not forgotten; from their future lives, either in the Armed they deserve the best and we are doing THE charity is strictly non-political and Forces or as a civilian. Knowing there is our best to get it.” non-critical, they just want to help and ask someone who ‘has your back covered’ at supporters to ‘do their bit’ to show these all times and is thinking of you is hugely How the money has been spent extraordinary young people that they are reassuring to someone going through the cared for. trauma of an injury and following Headley Court received £8 million, for a rehabilitation.” state of the art gym facility and Andy Newell was one of the wounded treatment rooms, as well as the 25 personnel Bryn and Emma first met during Help for Heroes spends every penny metre swimming pool; £6.5 million has their visit to Selly Oak in the summer of possible on supporting capital projects gone to the Combat Stress mental 2007. Andy was shot in the arm and his and grants to specialist organisations that health charity, £485,000 to Battle Back, bone was shattered into more than 60 provide support for wounded Service a charity that uses adaptive adventure pieces while serving with the 16 Air personnel . The money raised (£82.6 training and sports rehabilitation, plus Assault Brigade in Afghanistan in July million at the time of going to print) has £100,000 to the British Limbless 2006. been spent or allocated and is making a Ex-Service Men’s Association for massive difference - from Headley Court rehabilitation work to name just a few. Having been involved with the charity which received £8 million for a state of the The Quick Reaction Fund has granted right from the beginning, he has art gym facility and treatment rooms, as £6 million, offering money to Service experienced first hand the long-term well as the 25 metre swimming pool, to Personnel within 72 hours if needed. support that Help for Heroes are offering. £100,000 given to the BLESMA for rehabilitation work. “I could not have achieved a fraction of what I have managed to do since my The next project for Help for Heroes is to Contacts injury if I had not had the support of the ensure those wounded in the line of duty Help for Heroes team. They helped me get the very best support; for life. They For more information visit www.helpforheroes.org.uk Jockgain Hutchinsona new perspective (front) on andmy life, RM helping are working with the Services, to establish Jayme Hareregain out control on the of my trail situation when I a series of regional Recovery Centres that 12 Fighting Back From Injury

Heroes return scheme extended to 2012

RAF Bomber Command veteran Gordon Mellor was the 50,000th individual to benefit from the Heroes Return grant scheme.

The Big Lottery The Big Lottery Fund’s UK Interim Chair, managed to bail out and crashed into a Fund has Anna Southall, presented the 50,000th tree. The flight engineer came out behind committed award to RAF Bomber Command veteran me but his parachute failed and he hit a over £1 million Gordon Mellor who escaped occupied roof on the side of a house and was killed. I in extra France with the help of the Resistance via saw the plane burning in a field, inside funding in the the Comet Line. were the pilot and rear gunner who hadn’t year ahead for managed to get out. I was about 2km from the Second The extra funding for the scheme will help the crash and managed to get out of the World War ensure veterans still to apply are able to tree, stuffing my parachute between the veterans to make their personal journey in the year ahead to revisit the branches. As I stood in the darkness battlefield commemorative journeys to scenes of Second World War events, such looking at the flames I had the loneliest the places they saw action. as the forthcoming 70th anniversary of the feeling of all my life, a desperate feeling of Battle of Crete. being completely alone.” THE additional funding for the Heroes Return grant scheme came on the day the Anna Southall said: “This extension of the Fund named the 50,000th individual to scheme will be a big help to those who Through the scheme, Second World War benefit from the scheme. have felt so far unable to make their veterans from the UK, Channel Islands personal journeys back to the battlefields and Republic of Ireland can apply for of the Second World War”. travel and accommodation costs to visit the places across the world where they Mr Mellor used his funding to go back to saw active service or to take part in an France where a memorial service was held official commemoration in the UK. War for the escapees who died crossing the widows and widowers of veterans are Pyrenees and for the people who were also eligible, and carers and spouses can killed for helping them. He managed to also receive funding to travel with escape occupied France with the help of veterans. the Resistance after being shot down. Gordon Mellor vividly recalls: Contacts “Returning from a short night raid over For information and details of how to Aachen we were chased by a apply for a Heroes Return 2 grant call Messerschmitt 109. He cracked us four 0845 00 00 121 or visit Gordon Mellor with fellow veteran times on each set of engines and we www.biglotteryfund.org.uk/heroesreturn Robert Watt started to hurtle down at a fast rate. I

Issue 19 April 2011 13 Alabaré expanding to meet the needs of veterans Adjusting to civilian life can prove difficult for some veterans. Alabaré is a regional charity that is including Post Traumatic Stress Disorder or tackling this head on, working in drug and alcohol addiction. Residents also partnership with a number of major work on developing independent living Armed Forces welfare charities to skills to help them move on successfully. ensure a collaborative approach to the support on offer to veterans. Alabaré also reaches out to veterans through many of its other projects and THANKS to funding from, among others, services: The , ABF The Soldiers Charity, the RAF Association and The Alabaré’s Wiltshire Drop In Centres in Society of Merchant Venturers, Alabaré Salisbury and Trowbridge provide a vital now has a total of five Homes for Veterans front line service to homeless and – one in Plymouth, two in Bristol and two vulnerable adults, offering hot food and in Weymouth, and there are plans to drink, showers, washing facilities and a expand even further with more houses clothing and sleeping bag service. From across the south and south-west. here, veterans can be signposted to other Home comforts at the Weymouth house relevant services and support. the Armed Forces. Veterans WORLD will report on the workshops in a future issue. But it is not just about putting a roof over people’s heads; Alabaré believes that Alabaré recognises the need to support equipping clients with the skills they need veterans and is committed to expanding to manage a tenancy is fundamental to its Veterans’ Programme accordingly. They preventing eviction and avoiding have a dedicated Project Development homelessness. Alabaré Home and Money Manager in place, a post created with Programme is a series of workshops funding from the MOD’s Veterans focusing on tenancy and housing related Challenge Fund. issues - special funding has now been secured to roll this out across Salisbury Alabaré Christian Care and Support is a Plain, specifically targeting those leaving charity that works with homeless and vulnerable people. They have more than “When I was in prison I was approached 40 projects across Wiltshire, Hampshire, by VIPA, the Veterans in Prison Plymouth, Bournemouth, Devon, Dorset, Association. They put me in touch with Bristol and North Somerset providing a Alabaré and they said I could move in on range of services including drop-in my release date. centres, supported accommodation and advice and training. Moving into the house has been great. I This home in Bristol is one of the five was expecting a hostel but it’s really nice Contacts Alabaré Homes for veterans and the staff are really helpful. This time next year I hope to be on a course and To find out more about how Alabaré can have a job and my own house.” support veterans then visit Alabaré’s Homes for Veterans provide a www.alabare.co.uk or contact Project unique combination of accommodation Alabaré Weymouth Home for Veterans Development Manager David Millward and support, helping residents to access on 01722 322882. specialist help with a wide range of issues, resident Tackling Homelessness In June 2010, a Ministerial Working Group on Preventing and Tackling Homelessness was established, recognising that the issue of homelessness, and the multiple needs of homeless people, are cross-government in nature.

The Working Group aims to resolve the cross departmental policy issues that contribute to homelessness, and that cannot be resolved by one department working alone. This includes pro-actively sharing information and avoiding the unintended consequences of a policy that can lead to increased numbers of homeless people. A Shared Priorities Strategy Document is now being developed in which government departments will agree the measures they will undertake to tackle and prevent homelessness.

The Group is chaired by the Minister for the Department for Communities and Local Government, it includes Ministerial representatives from the Ministry of Defence, the Department of Health, the Department for Work and Pensions, the Ministry of Justice, the Department for Education, the Department for Business Innovation and Skills and the Home Office.

14 The Sir Oswald Stoll Foundation Innovation and collaboration in housing and helping Veterans.

During the Beef Kitchen, a mobile catering business First World managed and staffed by residents to sell War, theatre food to passing Chelsea fans on match impresario day. This has evolved to include a café Oswald Stoll near Putney Bridge - Pryors Bank - which resolved to has now become more of a formal event provide location, thanks in no small part to a housing and generous donation from singing help for sensations The Soldiers. The apprentices wounded and disabled men and are funded by The Royal British Legion women who served their country. That and work towards their Level 2 NVQ work continues today with the Sir qualification which will then help them go Oswald Stoll Foundation housing and into long-term employment in the providing support to around 250 ex- catering industry. Not only do they work Service personnel and their families on at Pryors Bank and the Beef Kitchen but three sites across West London. they also work in a West End restaurant. Although based in London, their The project has won several awards for its residents can come from anywhere. innovative approach. One was even homeless in Rome before he came to the Foundation!

THE Sir Oswald Stoll Foundation prides itself on its collaborative approach and working with many partners enables them to provide several innovative projects which help the residents to live as independently as possible, some of which Ken Lukoviak, who helps fellow residents are described below. get back to work

New partnership

The newest project involves working with a partner organisation SPEAR (a charity working with homeless people in and around Richmond) to provide an outreach service so that the Foundation’s support The Soldiers help out at Pryors Bank team can make contact with and help ex-Service personnel in the wider community. Currently, the Foundation’s Identifying opportunities Outreach worker is funded by ABF The Soldiers Charity with SPEAR’s post funded Where possible, the Foundation involves by The Royal British Legion. Their aim is residents in the delivery of its projects. simple, to ensure that those who need it Another resident, Ken Lukoviak, an ex- get all possible advice and support Para and Northern Ireland and Falklands Harry Powell, one of the Pryors Bank appropriate to their needs. Apprentices hard at work in the kitchen Veteran, now works with the Health and Wellbeing Manager to identify work opportunities for fellow residents and to Contacts The Foundation’s flagship project is the help them through the process. His post is For housing or support information: catering apprenticeship scheme which funded by The Poppy Factory which in call 020 7385 2110, was masterminded by Foundation turn sees the immense value in email [email protected] resident, ex-Household Cavalry (Life encouraging disabled people back to the or visit Website: www.oswaldstoll.org.uk Guard), Bob Barrett. He set up the work place.

The establishment of the Group clearly demonstrates the seriousness with which the issue is taken. The Group recognises and acknowledges the important role that voluntary and community sector organisations like Alabaré and Sir Oswald Stoll Foundation play in tackling homelessness, particularly among ex-Service personnel . . .

Issue 18 April 2011 15 “I think this is a fantastic idea. As racing drivers we experience these speeds all the time. For injured personnel and veterans to have the same opportunities is brilliant.” Formula 3 ace James Cole

Sapper Ash Hall injured by an IED in July 2010, only fine months later he enjoyed the thrill of karting with hand controls

16 Ticket to ride karts help wounded troops hit the track

Double amputee Guardsman in a very impressive fullthrottle overtaking manouevre on a bend

Injured personnel and veterans are “They can come and have a look and if something [the steering wheel] it takes a being given a ticket to the fast lane by a they like it they can take it up as a proper while to adjust, but after a few laps on the new karting enterprise aimed at offering sport.” track it was great. “ adrenalin-fuelled action on the track. Kart Force has been supported by a “I think this is a fantastic idea. As racing KART FORCE will see drivers racing to the £25,000 grant from ABF The Soldiers’ drivers we experience these speeds all the chequered flag with specially-adapted Charity, money that has paid for 30 sets of time. For injured personnel and veterans to hand controls that allow people with the the unique controls to be built. have the same opportunities is brilliant.” most serious injuries to compete on a level playing field with their colleagues, friends The system is compatible with all major How does it work? and families. karts, meaning they can be transported to different centres for race days, where • The steering wheel is replaced with a The scheme is the brainchild of ex- injured personnel and veterans can go system similar to the handlebars on a Serviceman David Player and his business head-to-head with their friends. motorcycle so the kart can be driven partner Phil Armes, who hope to stage race one-handed. sessions at tracks across the country. Once the initiative is fully up and running, • The throttle cable can be attached to Kart Force hopes to stage regimental either side of the handlebars, meaning “We designed these hand controls so we events as well as international challenges someone who has had an amputation could set up team events for people with involving injured personnel from the UK, is able to race. different levels of injury,” David, a former USA, Canada, Russia, France and Israel. • A hydraulic braking system can also be Royal Engineer explained. They also believe there is scope for an switched from left to right, depending Inter-Services competition. on driver specification. “We had to come up with a system that • The Kart Force controls allow injured can fit into as many karts as possible. David said: “The response so far has been personnel to race against their fantastic. We are now encouraging people colleagues “We are now planning a number of casual to contact us so we can really start to move tester days and we want people to come things forward.” forward and say they are interested. Contacts Kart Force was launched at the Whilton Mill “For example, if we get ten people in the track in Northamptonshire where Formula Any injured or disabled veteran can Kent area showing an interest we can Three ace James Cole put the new controls contact Kart Force whether they were come down and put something on for through their paces on the circuit. injured in or after Service them. For further information on KartForce call “The kart has a very good feel, the throttle 0118 983 6092 visit www.kartforce.org “This is an opportunity for them to try is very responsive and the brakes are great something they probably thought they as well,” he explained. “It does have a Editors Note: This article was originally would never do again, and they are on a different style to normal karts due to the published in the Soldier magazine. totally level playing field. handle bars. When your mind is used to

Issue 19 April 2011 17 New advice service reaping success for Scottish veterans Since launching last July, ASAP has helped over 270 clients with more than 700 issues

The Armed Services Advice Project (ASAP) has been created to be a focal point for the Armed Forces Community in Scotland for access to advice, information and support.

It provides help on a range of issues including benefits, debt, and housing, and has links with many organisations serving the Armed Forces Community.

ASAP is provided by the Scottish Citizens Advice Bureau Service, a highly trusted network with decades of experience delivering a free, independent, confidential and impartial advice and information service to the general public.

ASAP is available to support Serving and ex-Serving personnel, both Regular and Reserve, and their families. It also offers support to members of the Merchant Navy who have served in a commercial vessel in support of legally defined UK military operations and their families.

The project is funded by: Poppyscotland, the ASAP provides help on a range of issues including benefits, debt, and housing Benevolent Fund, The Maritime Charities Funding Group, ABF the ASAP in action - Working with project As a result, in January this year, the client Soldiers’ Charity, Soldiers, Sailors, partners to support clients was awarded High Rate Attendance Airmen and Families Association – Allowance of £71.40 a week, backdated to Forces Help (SSAFA Forces Help), The The Secretary of the local SSAFA branch in 18 October 2010. Robertson Trust and Turn2us. Motherwell and Wishaw referred a client, a veteran with a number of years’ service, The client was pleased with this result, to the local ASAP Regional Support thanking SSAFA for referring them to Officer. ASAP, saying “I am deeply appreciative of your kindness and patience”. He also The client’s wife is severely disabled and thanked the Regional Support Officer for requires full-time care from her husband. his patience and assistance with the forms. Approximately two years ago, they applied for Attendance Allowance, but Contacts were unsuccessful. To access the service call the helpline, covering all of Scotland on Following discussions with the SSAFA 0845 231 0300, Branch Secretary, arrangements were email [email protected], made for the ASAP Regional Support or call in to your local Citizens Advice Officer to meet with the clients and assist Bureau. them in completing a fresh application. Richard Lord, Regional Support Officer for The application was then submitted to You can also find further information at the Lanarkshire region, referred to in the the Department of Work and Pensions case study www.cas.org.uk before Christmas 2010.

18 Doing Life Differently New toolkits available to support disabled veterans live independently

Written by and for people living with ill- The three publications currently in health, injury or disability, the Doing the series are: Life Differently series looks at new ways of progressing careers, managing Doing Work Differently (DWD) money and getting the best from Information Technology (IT). Exploring practical solutions to real questions related to work, DWD DOING LIFE DIFFERENTLY is a series of offers positive, simple solutions. three publications produced by the Royal DWD provides real life examples Association for Disability Rights (Radar). from people who have found work, Each publication is a toolkit packed with new ways of doing their current job, advice from people living with ill-health, or a new career. DWD can help the injury or disability, to help others take reader overcome barriers associated control of their lives and make the most of with work, suggesting where to seek new opportunities. advice, and showing how small adjustments such as flexible hours can Radar is the Royal Association for Disability make a big difference. Rights. It is a pan-disability organisation led by people with lived experience of Doing Money Differently (DMD) disability or health conditions. Its vision is a just and equal society whose strength is Exploring new ways of making, saving human difference and their mission is to and looking after money, DMD discusses enable individuals, networks and policy- ways of assessing a person’s income in makers to do things differently – and relation to their costs. It deals with better. Radar work with them in broad where to keep money, and what to do if partnerships to have the widest impact. they are in debt. Based on personal Designing disability In to business, experiences, DMD is a toolkit to help products and policies from the outset people understand money better and results in better workplaces and services reduce the amount of time spent thinking for all. Radar has the solutions that can and worrying about it. make Britain work better for everyone. Radar is not qualified to give financial advice and this publication should only be seen as a money toolkit. “Doing Work Doing IT Differently (DITD) DITD can help the reader choose a Differently is computer, adapt it to their needs, and find ways to take advantage of new straight talking, technologies. It looks at what help and options are available to make informative and computers more accessible, such as affordable voice recognition or mind- written as if it were mapping software, and contains real- life examples of how people have your mate, someone overcome IT barriers with very simple solutions. DITD can help make a real that cares.” Darren, difference to life at home and work. Contacts 43, Dudley Radar is now working on the fourth publication - Doing Careers Differently. The publications can be downloaded free of charge from www.radar.org.uk For more information on the Doing Life Differently series call 0207 250 3222 or e-mail [email protected]

Issue 19 April 2011 19 Family Activity Breaks (FAB) for bereaved Service families FAB Camps helping to bring smiles back to bereaved children themselves into two parents, and that you’re not a terrible mum when you still shout at your children after all they’ve been through. We sat and shared our stories, we cried and laughed together, but it was definitely not a sad week.

“To look at us on our days out, or sat sharing a bottle of wine at night I don’t think you could have guessed why we were there. We raised a few curious eyebrows as we wandered around Flamingo Land in our bright orange tee shirts, but what a fantastic feeling it was to be part of such an amazing group.

“You could also see this in the children too, to be able to play with and talk to other children who had also lost their dads, other children who understood. It was wonderful to see my daughter smile again and make friends, hear my son talk to people about his dad. And what an Amanda Brumpton (centre) interviewed by Radio 5 Live Presenter Lesley Ashmall (left), also amazing feeling to hear your children pictured Captain Karen Tait, FAB laugh out loud again. FAB is an activity based holiday for under 19 years of age (in exceptional bereaved military families supported by circumstances older participants will be an MOD volunteer scheme. It’s a non- considered) has been bereaved by the loss “We arrived a sad, publicly funded, tri-Service charitable of a loved one who was serving in the initiative in partnership with the Youth Armed Forces is eligible to participate in broken family Hostel Association (YHA). FAB. Full details on eligibility are available on the website. who’d lost their FAMILIES are provided with an adventurous holiday experience within a FAB relies on volunteers from all three smiles, and laughed safe and nurturing environment in order to Services and MOD Civil Servants. Without encourage self-confidence, resilience and the volunteers FAB would not exist. To peer support while having fun. It provides apply or find out more details visit the our way through a an opportunity for the military community website. to offer practical and emotional support to week of fun” bereaved families in times of need. Making a difference “We arrived a sad, broken family who’d lost Any military family where a child aged their smiles, and laughed our way through Amanda Brumpton attended a FAB Camp a week of fun, I went from someone who with her two children, Amy and Connor: had lost all her confidence to going on live radio, and the last night when we all “The FAB Camp meant we could feel like a celebrated our week, showed how far we’d normal family again with people who all come and gave us a glimpse of hope for understand because they’re going through a future. the same awful experience, but that gave us a bond and hopefully lasting friendships “We made amazing friends and fantastic so we can continue to support each other memories which I didn’t think we’d ever do as we did that week. again it was truly a FAB week, and we can’t wait for the next one.” “To meet widows my age was so helpful, as widows are so often thought of as old ladies who have raised their children but Contacts we’re suddenly left with grieving children For further information visit to raise alone. To spend time with people www.fabcamps.org.uk to find out about For Amy and Connor, FAB gave them chance to in the same situation was invaluable, to talk about their dad with other children who applying for a FAB camp or volunteering. understood their loss. realise you’re not alone, that the other mums feel guilty too when they can’t split See page 22 for further details on the website

20 article number 1 images available

SPVAThe regular feature providing News you with operations room receives information on updates from the Service Personnel and all UK Armed Forces casualties (both In the latest SPVA podcast release, Clare Veterans Agency injuries and deaths) from around the Ellis interviews Alan Mayers, Officer in world, including operations in Charge of the Veterans Welfare Service, Defence Minister visits the Agency Afghanistan, and ensures the families of about the work of the Veterans Welfare those involved are quickly informed and Centres based across the UK. IN January The Minister for Defence offered appropriate support. Where Personnel, Welfare and Veterans, Andrew death has occurred, JCCC staff also All SPVA social media products can be Robathan MP, paid tribute to staff support the families of those involved by found on the social media hub, working in support of the Armed Forces in providing advice on funeral entitlements, visit: www.veterans-uk.info Afghanistan during a visit to the SPVA arranging the marking of Service graves offices at Imjin Barracks, near Gloucester . and assisting the executor with resolution of the deceased’s estate. The contact details for each office are: Mr Robathan also saw how the JCCC authorises and arranges immediate travel Norcross (based near Blackpool) back to the UK for servicemen and women Tel 01253 333494 in the event of a family crisis such as the Email [email protected] sudden hospitalisation of an immediate family member. Kidderminster (based in Worcester) Tel 01562 825527 Ilford Park - Retaining a Pole position in Email SPVA- Devon [email protected] The Service Personnel and Veterans Agency released the fourth in its series of Centurion (based in Gosport) videos highlighting a variety of items of Tel 02392 702232 Lt Col (Rtd) Peter Lockyer (Left) with Andrew Robathan MP (right) at the SPVA Medal Office interest to the service and veterans Email at Imjin Barracks community. [email protected]

The Minister visited the Agency’s Medal In the latest edition of ‘Veterans Today’, Imjin (based in Gloucester) Office which over the last year has issued presenter Don Goldie takes viewers on a Tel 01452 510825 some 44,000 medals to Service personnel tour of Ilford Park Polish Home. Email [email protected] and veterans. He saw at first hand the research necessary to confirm entitlement, Situated just a few miles from Newton as well as the preparation, engraving, Abbot in Devon, the home provides Glasgow cleaning and dispatch of medals to their residential and nursing care for those who Tel 0141 2242709 rightful recipients. qualify for admission under the 1947 Email [email protected] Polish Resettlement Act.

This historic establishment, administered by SPVA, has been home to a thriving Contacts Polish community for over 60 years. The If you are supporting a veteran and home was founded as a result of a need further advice, contact our promise made by Winston Churchill to the Polish people during the Second World Welfare Service to see if we can War. help too.

To locate your nearest Veterans Update of the Veterans Welfare Centre rollout Welfare Centre call our freephone helpline 0800 169 2277. Last year, saw the roll-out of the five new Veterans Welfare Centres completed. The Veterans Welfare Service provides one-to- Andrew Robathan MP (right) and Lt Col (Rtd) one advice and support to Veterans across Peter Lockyer watch a medal being engraved the UK. Around 13,000 home visits are undertaken each year. Service Personnel The Minister also visited SPVA’s Joint & Veterans Agency Casualty and Compassionate Centre The service provides advice on many (JCCC) and talked to personnel dealing topics with the most common being with some of the 90,000 calls the centre finances, benefits, accommodation, social receives each year. The JCCC’s services and dealing with disability issues.

Issue 19 April 2011 21 Veterans World Noticeboard Poppyscotland website revamped ways for individuals to get in touch. The Get Help section highlights the year- round work Poppyscotland carries out in support of veterans, from providing direct financial support to individuals to giving grants to organisations that deliver specialist services to veterans. The Get Involved section offers an opportunity for supporters to engage with the charity all year round, through volunteering, donating, attending an event or creating their own events. Contacts To find out more; visit www.poppyscotland.org.uk where you can also access all their social media links.

Poppyscotland provides year-round support to ex-Service men, women and Poppyscotland, the charity that allows Poppyscotland to communicate their families living in Scotland. Money supports ex-Service people and their directly with supporters through daily raised through the Scottish Poppy families living in Scotland, has posts and is proving extremely popular, Appeal and year-round fund-raising relaunched its website, featuring new attracting almost 6,000 followers over the events and activities is used to provide and exciting ways to engage with past few months. An online shop enables support in the following ways: supporters all year round. supporters to purchase from a new range of branded merchandise and show their Direct financial assistance to UNVEILED in time for the 2010 Scottish support all year round, while the individuals, through one-off and annual Poppy Appeal, Poppyscotland blog aims to generate grants, helping to meet immediate www.poppyscotland.org.uk boasts a discussion and interaction. financial need. Last year Poppyscotland completely new design with a fresh, gave a total of £791,930 to 1,400 vibrant layout and easy navigation. The charity’s two main activities, people. Grants to organisations that The site also features exciting charitable services and fundraising, deliver specialist services to veterans, opportunities to engage with the public appear in two distinct areas on the such as Combat Stress and Erskine. Last through social media, such as Facebook, website to help users find information year, Poppyscotland gave over £1 Twitter and YouTube. The Facebook page relevant to them, as well as offering easy million to 13 organisations. FAB new website

In January, Families’ Activity Breaks (FAB) launched their new website and 2011 holiday application forms (FAB 11) for both families and volunteers.

The family friendly website – www.fabcamps.org.uk – contains many features including how to get involved, and access to their online shop. See the feature on FAB in page 20

22 ADVERTISE YOUR EVENT FOR FREE SPVA Veterans UK National Calendar of events

The National Veterans Events Calendar holds details of events to be held across the UK, from reunions to advice days, Armed Forces Day to air shows.

It is a free service. Simply complete and submit an online application form; the details will then be entered on to the calendar. The National Calendar can be found at: www.veterans-uk.info

If you don’t have access to the Internet and wish to submit an event please call 0800 169 2277 and provide details.

Service Personnel & Veterans Agency Two supporters at last year’s national event at Cardiff. Where will you be on Armed Forces Day? See page 11