The Welsh Government’s Armed Forces Covenant Annual Report 2019
Presented to Senedd Cymru/ Welsh Parliament pursuant to Standing Order 15.2 of the Government of Wales Act 2006 02 58
Her Majesty’s Government
– and –
All those who serve or have served in the Armed Forces of the Crown and their Families.
The first duty of Government is the defence of the realm. Our Armed Forces fulfil that responsibility on behalf of the Government, sacrificing some civilian freedoms, facing danger and, sometimes, suffering serious injury or death as a result of their duty.
Families also play a vital role in supporting the operational effectiveness of our Armed Forces. In return, the whole nation has a moral obligation to the members of the Naval Service, the Army and the Royal Air Force, together with their families.
They deserve our respect and support, and fair treatment.
Those who serve in the Armed Forces, whether Regular or Reserve, those who have served in the past, and their families, should face no disadvantage compared to other citizens in the provision of public and commercial services.
Special consideration is appropriate in some cases, especially for those who have given the most such as the injured and the bereaved.
This obligation involves the whole of society:
it includes voluntary and charitable bodies, private organisations, and the actions of individuals in supporting the Armed Forces. Recognising those who have performed military duty unites the country and demonstrates the value of their contribution.
This has no greater expression than in upholding this Covenant.
WG40833 © Crown copyright 2020 Print ISBN: 978-1-80082-235-1 Digital ISBN: 978-1-80082-236-8 03 58
Contents
04 Foreword
06 Observations – Feedback from the Armed Forces Expert Group members
08 Executive Overview
10 Summary of Key Achievements
17 Governance
24 Health and Wellbeing
35 Education
39 Housing
41 Benefits and Finance
45 Support on return to Civilian Life
51 Employment and Skills
54 Commemoration
56 What we will do
58 Closing Words 04 58
Joint Ministerial Foreword
Our Armed Forces are, and always In May 2018, as a Government we have been there for us during the launched our first Armed Forces Covenant most challenging of times. Annual Report. We did this because we felt it right that The first half of 2020 has provided, we outline the work being undertaken yet again, ample evidence of both the in Wales, our ongoing commitment to commitment and the abilities of our support the Armed Forces community Armed Forces, and as a nation we are and the huge contribution they make immensely proud of and grateful to them. to our communities. We would like to take this opportunity The document was laid in the Senedd to pay a special tribute to the men and for the people of Wales to assess and women of our Armed Forces who this scrutinise. year have and continue to work tirelessly alongside others, to help our nation It also identified key commitments for overcome the unprecedented challenges 2019/20 that the Welsh Government associated with the Covid-19 pandemic. and our key partners would take forward. We also recognise the significant support We are pleased to see that significant provided by our partner organisations progress has been made on all of those during this challenging time. commitments, and many new ones too. Our Armed Forces community have However, there is always more we can do. supported our NHS and the most vulnerable in our communities when they We will continue to promote the skills needed it most. and experience of our Armed Forces community, to ensure they are able to They have worked with the Welsh maximise the use of the skills they have Government, with our Local Health gained when they re-enter civilian life. Boards and key partners, to provide vital expertise, knowledge and skills to help tackle Covid-19, and make a significant and positive difference to the lives of the people of Wales.
Our Armed Forces community are a huge asset to our nation. We recognise their invaluable contribution and will continue to support them. 05 58
We will look at what support we can This report includes numerous provide to more vulnerable families who examples of where we are providing often face upheaval during the transition that, investing in services, working with from Service life, and we will strive to partners and targeting resource at areas increase the awareness and knowledge of need. amongst service providers about the Armed Forces community to help ensure None of this can be achieved successfully that support is available when needed. without listening to our Armed Forces community and those who work This reporting year we marked the with them. seventy-fifth anniversaries of D-Day and VE Day. We know that people’s needs change and to understand those changing needs we We paid tribute to veterans who fought undertook our Veterans Scoping Exercise bravely and those on the home front last year which collected the views, during the Second World War. experiences and feedback of veterans and organisations. We did so in circumstances none of us could have foreseen and although the We are pleased that the recommendations restrictions in place due to Covid 19 emanating from that work are now being meant we had to change the way we taken forward and we will be closely marked this important milestone, it did monitoring delivery. not reduce the outpouring of respect and recognition from the people of Wales for Our Armed Forces community are a huge all our veterans have done to help shape asset to our nation. our society today. We recognise their invaluable contribution Some, but by no means all, of our current and will continue to support them. Serving personnel, ex-Service community and their families need support.
Julie James MS Hannah Blythyn MS Minister for Housing and Deputy Minister for Housing and Local Government Local Government 06 58
Observation Feedback from the Armed Forces Expert Group Members The Armed Forces Expert Group brings together people and organisations with detailed knowledge of issues which affect the Armed Forces community in Wales. The group provides advice, feedback and This should be celebrated under the information to the Welsh Government to Priority Treatment section and we would improve understanding of the needs of very much like to see this replicated the community and suggestions on how throughout Wales. service delivery might be improved. Although understandable in the The Armed Forces Expert Group members extenuating circumstances it is are generally supportive of the 2019 disappointing to learn of the delay Annual Report and appreciate the in the school admissions code review, commitment of the Welsh Government we hope this commitment can be to progress this agenda. re‑confirmed soon. Comments from the Expert Group We note there is still further work to be members: done to address issues some Service personnel and families are facing with The Royal Navy, Army and RAF Families regards to council tax charges. Federations very much appreciate the close collaborative working relationships Where it is mentioned that places on we have with the Welsh Government in waiting lists when moving within Wales supporting our Armed Forces communities are honoured – we would like confirmation in Wales. if this will be expanded to include family members moving into Wales from other We acknowledge the progress made parts of the UK in accordance with the against the commitments as listed and see Armed Forces Covenant commitment. Wales as a welcoming and positive location for our Armed Forces and families to live We would like agreed time scales for the and work. improvement of data on Service children in welsh schools as there appears to be We would like to see more prominence little progress. given to the Forces Families Jobs platform and we encourage all Local Authorities and NHS and Veterans NHS Wales would Local Health Boards to advertise vacancies like the Veterans’ healthcare in prison through this portal. guidance to be updated to take account of the SToMP work in prisons and lack We would like to see acknowledgement of referrals to Veterans NHS Wales from of the great work of the Aneurin Bevan veterans in prison. University Health Board in enabling through policy, the easier access to Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) for Service children. 07 58
Veterans NHS Wales has submitted We hope this will help governments and a business case to Welsh Government charities better target services to our including an option to employ community. We are grateful to all those six additional veteran therapists and who supported our “Count Them in” peer Mentors to work in prisons and campaign. community. Of course, the work is never done and The Royal British Legion works closely we are still pushing for improvements with the Welsh Government, and all parties in areas including, social isolation in in the Senedd to support the Armed the Armed Forces community, tackling Forces community. substance misuse, housing and improving the transition of people from a military to The continued financial support by the a civilian life. Welsh Government for the Armed Forces Liaison Officers is excellent news. We will continue to collaborate with colleagues from the public, private and These posts do the important job charity sectors to achieve this. of ensuring Local Authorities are meeting their Armed Forces Covenant National Probation Service in Wales are commitments. encouraged by the Welsh Government’s confirmation of the Armed Forces Liaison The funding for Service Children is also to Officers further funding of £275,000 for be welcomed. Some Service children can the next two years, from April 2021. face additional challenges with increased school moves and added emotional stress. We are looking forward to being part of the Action Groups that have been established We have seen this funding used in to take forward the recommendations/ innovative ways to provide extra support findings from the Veterans Scoping to those vulnerable pupils. Exercise. After over four years of campaigning by The funding of primary health services the Royal British Legion, for the first time in prisons is a real positive. ever there will be a question on military service in the 2021 census.
We will continue to collaborate with colleagues from the public, private and charity sectors to achive this. 08 58
Executive Overview Delivering for our Armed Forces Community We are pleased to be able to present Listening to our Armed Forces our second Armed Forces Covenant community – taking action Annual report to the Senedd Cymru and the people of Wales. As with our first At the time of the publication of last year’s report, it aims to outline progress and report, our Veterans’ Scoping Exercise was achievements in supporting our Armed underway with the aim to collate feedback Forces community, including highlighting from the ex-Service community and their the collaborative and partnership families on any perceived gaps in service approach that is so important in delivering provision. That work was completed successful outcomes for our Armed Forces during the Autumn of 2019, and we community in Wales. are now taking forward the findings. The Scoping Exercise also represented Supporting Welsh Communities the Welsh Government’s input into the new UK-wide Veterans Strategy. We are through Covid-19 pleased to have had the opportunity to The latter part of the period covered work collaboratively with the UK and other by this report has been dominated devolved Governments on this important by our national response to Covid 19. work. That collaborative approach will Since March 2020, the pandemic has, continue with the establishment by the and continues to have, a huge impact UK Government of the Office for Veterans’ on our nation and sadly, many people Affairs. have lost their lives. We wish to pay tribute to the role the Working with the Experts Armed Forces community has played in We have continued to engage directly our response to Covid-19. Our Serving with the Armed Forces community. personnel have been key in supporting our This has involved visiting support groups NHS and local communities. Our veterans and speaking directly with veterans, and support organisations have been families and those who work with heavily involved in helping their local them along with the military in Wales. communities. The Armed Forces Expert Group continues to provide valuable support to delivery of What we have seen are many examples services across Wales, as do members of of communities coming together and the regional and local Armed Forces fora. supporting one another and our Armed Forces have often been at the heart In the last year, we have seen progress of that effort. In recent months we against the four priority areas the Expert have witnessed first-hand, the skills, Group members outlined as important commitment and experience of our Armed in last year’s report – priority treatment, Forces in providing support during very supporting veterans requiring through-life difficult times. support, supporting and embedding the work of the Armed Forces Liaison Officers and work towards improving data on Service children. 09 58
We also continue to provide annual support for Armed Forces Days in Wales, offering an opportunity for the public to express their support and thanks to the wider Armed Forces community. 10 58
Key achievements in Wales Health and Well-being » We continue to provide £700,000 per » The Service Children Support fund has annum for the Veterans NHS Wales provided £250,000 to help schools in service, which has supported veterans Wales understand the needs of Service through mental health treatment. children and equip them with the skills to cope with the challenges of the » We have supported 94 veterans with Armed Forces lifestyle throughout their access to prosthetic services via the schooling. Artificial Limb and Appliance Service (ALAS). » Through our Further and Higher Education Scheme, we have provided » 31 fast-track treatments have been £200,441 in 2018-19 enabling approved this year at an estimated Service leavers and veterans across cost of £72,473, ensuring Service Wales to benefit from Further and personnel receive the treatment they Higher education, improving their require to enable them to return to their confidence, education and employment Service roles. opportunities. » We launched the first Loneliness and Social Isolation (LSI) Strategy for Wales, Housing recognising how some members of » In March 2020, the Welsh Government the Armed Forces community can be announced £10 million to support Local vulnerable to LSI. We provided £120,000 Authorities secure the accommodation to tackle this issue amongst the Armed needed to protect those most vulnerable Forces community and some of this to the Covid 19 pandemic. funding has also supported charities in supporting the ex-Service community » We worked closely with Local during the Covid-19 pandemic. Authorities to identify and secure a range of accommodation and facilitate Education appropriate levels of support, to house vulnerable and displaced persons » We continued to support the SSCE including ex-Service personnel. Cymru project, providing Service children, families and schools with » £20 million has been made available valuable resources and guidance. to ensure those in temporary accommodation, including any » We supported SSCE Cymru, University of ex‑Service personnel, can move onto South Wales and the Service Children’s long-term sustainable housing. Progression Alliance to establish a SCIP Alliance hub in Wales to develop research, data, collaboration and capacity in the sector. 11 58
Benefits and finance Family Support » We have established a multiagency » We have updated our Welcome to Wales Information and Awareness Action Group document, providing information and to improve the information available to advice for Serving personnel and their the Armed Forces community and raise families wishing to relocate to Wales. awareness of the benefits, and financial support available. Commemoration » With partners and people across Wales Support on return to civilian life we commemorated the 75th anniversary » The Welsh Government will provide of VE Day, along with the liberation of £275,000 per annum of further funding the Dutch city of s’Hertogenbosch. for our Armed Forces Liaison Officers (AFLOs) for 2 years from April 2021. » We also continue to provide annual support for Armed Forces Days in Wales, » We have supported the new Defence offering an opportunity for the public to Transition Services which is helping express their support and thanks to the those leaving the Armed Forces and wider Armed Forces community. Due to returning to Wales. the Covid-19 pandemic, this initiative was delivered “virtually” this year and » In January 2020, we published our plans are underway for future Wales Armed Forces community Scoping Armed Forces days working with the Exercise report. Work is now ongoing Military, Welsh Local Government to take forward the recommendations. Association (WLGA) and other partners. Employment » In collaboration with Business in the Community (BITC) Cymru and the Scottish Government we are developing an addendum to our Employers Toolkit aimed at Military partners to advise employers how they can best tap into the skills of Military families. » We continue to work with the Ministry of Defence (MOD) on new Wales-specific information for Service leavers to ensure those coming to Wales after Service can access up to date information on the support available here. 12 58
Review of our 2019/20 commitments
What we said we would do: What has been done since last year:
Continue to fund Veterans NHS Wales Provided £700,000 funding for veterans to enable veterans to access treatment to receive mental health treatment. specifically targeting mental health We have also provided £85,000 in issues. additional funding to support veterans’ therapists.
We will also invest in the creation Regional approaches established across of national and regional initiatives Wales through our NHS providers to to prevent suicide and self-harm. tackle suicide and self-harm.
Continue to review delivery of the 31 fast-track treatments were provided Fast Track Referral Pathway to ensure between April 2019 and March 2020 at optimum service delivery. a cost of £72,473.
Continue to fund free bus travel The provision of concessionary bus for injured veterans. pass entitlement for those in receipt of Armed Forces Compensation payments continues.
Continue to fund free swimming The provision of funding has continued. for veterans and Serving personnel Despite the closure of leisure facilities until 2021. during the Covid-19 pandemic 8319 free swims were recorded.
Ensure veterans, Serving personnel and The potential impact of LSI on the Armed their families are part of ongoing work Forces community is reflected and to deliver our first Loneliness and Social recognised in our new Welsh Government Isolation (LSI) strategy. strategy.
£120,000 funding provided to organisations in Wales to tackle loneliness and social isolation amongst the Armed Forces community.
Continue our engagement with Promoted the research across the Armed Swansea University to support research Forces sector in Wales through national into gambling in the Armed Forces and regional fora. community.
The Welsh Government has facilitated the listing of the National Gambling Treatment Service on the Veterans’ Gateway. 13 58
What we said we would do: What has been done since last year:
Consult with the Armed Forces Our Scoping Exercise collected community on the status of veterans experiences and feedback from veterans as part of our housing priority need on housing provision – this will help consultation. inform housing policy going forward.
Update the Code of Guidance for Housing This has been delayed due to the Allocations and Homelessness – including Covid 19 pandemic. consideration of support for divorced or separated spouses and civil partners of Service personnel.
Provide further funding for the Funding of £275,000 for each of the next Armed Forces Liaison Officers (AFLOs) two years, from April 2021 has been for 2 years from 2019. confirmed.
Working with the Veterans’ Gateway, Veterans’ Gateway has been updated Northumbria University and the WLGA to with information on support groups/ publicise local services, including veteran hubs in Wales. The Welsh Government support groups and hubs, to enable the is a designated ‘Covenant officer’ able Armed Forces community to access peer to upload information to the Directory support and services locally. of services.
Continue to provide support to our Welsh Government Officials continue Armed Forces Fora across Wales to to attend regional Armed Forces fora identify emerging issues and good to collect feedback on and influence practice. Covenant delivery across Wales.
Work with Business in the Community Development of an Employers Toolkit Cymru to promote the benefits of Addendum aimed at military families employing members of the Armed is underway and will be published later Forces community and ‘Veterans in 2020. Awareness Week‘.
Work with key partners to support and In 2019, with Reserve Forces and Cadets promote Reservists Day. Association Wales, the Welsh Government contributed to an event in the Senedd to celebrate the contribution Reservists make to our Armed Forces. 14 58
What we said we would do: What has been done since last year:
As part of the Cymru’n Cofio programme, A document is being produced to reflect consider how this legacy and stories can on the significant commemorative be accessed by future generations. activity undertaken in Wales and further afield over the last six years. The Cymru’n Cofio website will also serve as digital legacy for the programme and will be available for the next five years.
Continue to support commemorative The First Minister attended the D-Day events, including the 75 Anniversaries of commemorations in France and spoke D Day, VE Day and the S’Hertogenbosch to veterans via telephone, due to Welsh liberation. Covid-19 restrictions, to mark VE Day commemorations.
The First Minister represented Wales at the s’Hertogenbosch commemorations in Holland.
Produce a report detailing the findings Report produced and published and recommendations from our Scoping January 2020. Response to UK Veterans Exercise, and work with key partners to strategy published in co-ordination identify the means of delivering identified with the Welsh, UK, and Scottish issues. Governments.
Action Groups established to consider and respond to issues raised (see Scoping Exercise section).
Work with the Families Federations to Regular engagement with Families identify the support needs for Service Federations. families living in Wales.
October 2019 saw the Wales launch of Forces Families Jobs service.
Refresh our Welcome to Wales document Completed. Updated document published for Serving personnel. and circulated to all key partners.
Continue to promote and support the Highlighted role of Reservists within recruitment of Reservists within Welsh Welsh Government as part of Armed Government and the wider public sector, Forces week. as part of ongoing communications on Armed Forces Day and whenever the opportunity arises. 15 58
What we said we would do: What has been done since last year:
Continue to progress the work to enable Work is continuing to explore options the collection of data on Service children for collecting data on Service children in schools through the Pupil Level Annual in schools in Wales. School Census.
Continue to review the Service Children’s The School Admissions Code is subject Admission Code to ensure that service to ongoing review. Delays have been families are not being disadvantaged experienced due to COVID-19. through the interpretation of the Code. 16 58
The Welsh Government is committed to upholding the principles of the Armed Forces Covenant. 17 58
Governance How we work to deliver the Armed Forces Covenant in Wales The Welsh Government is committed to upholding the principles of the Armed Forces Covenant. Working closely with our partners – the Ministry of Defence (MOD), Office for Veterans’ Affairs, the Tri-Services, Local Authorities, Local Health Boards, military charities and organisations supporting the Armed Forces community – our aim is to ensure the provision of efficient and effective services that meet the varying needs of this community. UK Engagement Developments in the last year Engagement has continued in the last In 2019, all UK nations have come together year with UK Government and the other on the new Cross-UK Veterans Strategy devolved nations. Work has included: Coordination Group, which enables all four UK nations to coordinate delivery of » Covenant Legislation: The Welsh the Strategy for Veterans across the UK. Government has helped ensure the views of the Armed Forces sector This year we have established a new in Wales have been included during Programme Board and Cross Government the development of the planned Group with key partners to help ensure UK Covenant Legislation. the recommendations of the veterans’ Scoping Exercise are delivered. » Covenant Delivery Group: Officials attend the UK Covenant Delivery Group, Action Groups have been established which monitors delivery of key policies to take forward the recommendations, across the UK. on issues as diverse and important as Employment, Transition, Information/ » Devolved nations: Wales is represented Awareness and Finance. Reflecting the on the MOD devolved nations’ forum, breadth of issues to be considered, the highlighting best practice from across membership of these groups is equally Wales and flagging up areas of concern diverse. To avoid duplication, existing that are raised through AFLOs and networks and forums will be utilised to partner organisations. take forward recommendations relating to health, housing, education and criminal justice. (see diagram below): 18 58
Veterans Scoping E ercise – governance structure Armed Forces E pert Group
Programme Board T e h he e e e eh e e e e e e
Cross Government Armed Forces Group e e e e e h e e officials to discuss Welsh Government – led he e e
Thematic action groups and discussion fora £
e e h e T e e e e e e e e and finance 19 58
Listening The Welsh Government, working closely Support groups – Welsh Government with partners, has structures in place to officials attend veteran/family support identify key issues and take action, share groups to collect the views of the Armed information and best practice, and ensure Forces community. As part of our Scoping we are hearing the collective voices of the Exercise, officials attended over 40 veteran Armed Forces community in Wales. support groups/hubs during the consultation period. During summer 2019, » The Armed Forces Expert Group – an additional 5 stakeholder sessions were is chaired by the Deputy Minister held across Wales attended by 77 charities for Housing and Local Government. and statutory agencies, to explore Meeting bi-annually, its members potential actions to be taken forward, provide a strategic voice on behalf of ensuring recommendations were informed the Armed Forces community in Wales, by those who work with our Armed Forces considering key issues and collective community. The final recommendations methods of resolving these. are now being delivered. Chaired by the WLGA and meeting Ministerial engagement – The First twice yearly the Armed Forces Minister, Deputy Minister for Housing and Network considers issues of local and Local Government and other Ministers regional interest to the Armed Forces regularly meet with senior Military leaders community. The group comprises in Wales to discuss issues of shared representatives from Local Authorities interest and concern. Opportunities to alongside representatives from other engage and collaborate are explored organisations involved in supporting the and this year we have seen partnership Armed Forces community. working on key events including the » Regional and Local Authority Armed D-Day celebrations, Armed Forces Day Forces Fora – organised regionally and and VE Day, and attendance at the Armed at Local Authority level, these groups Forces Cambrian Patrol training exercise. bring together Local Government, The Welsh Government also recognises health, the Military, statutory agencies the value in wider engagement with and Service charities to examine our partners and the Armed Forces key issues, identify best practice, community. co‑ordinate services, and highlight areas for further consideration at an all-Wales Held annually, our Armed Forces Covenant level. Conference attracts a diverse audience from across Wales. » Local issues are captured through Local Fora and Armed Forces Liaison It provides an opportunity for Local Officers (AFLOs) across Wales, ensuring Authority and Local Health Board Armed Covenant guidelines and services are Forces Champions, Third Sector, MoD, embedded within Local Authorities. the Family Federations, as well as many The AFLOs are also key members of the others with an interest in Armed Forces Armed Forces Network and the Regional issues to discuss new initiatives, share and Local Authority Armed Forces fora. good practice and consider opportunities for further collaboration. 20 58
We attend the all-Wales Service Charities A framework is in place to encourage meeting, convened by the Royal British collaboration and to identify issues and Legion, which enables us to share share good practice. The structure in information and good practice and discuss Wales, and wider across all four UK nations key issues with organisations supporting is captured below: veterans and their families.
REGIONAL WALES UK LEVEL LEVEL LEVEL
Armed Covenant Forces Reference Expert Group Group
Armed Local Forces Authority Annual Covenant Fora Conference Delivery Group
Cross Party Group on Armed Forces & Cadets Armed Devolved Forces Nations Liaison Meeting Officers Local Health Boards Armed Forces and Vet- erans Champions Meeting Cross UK veterans strategy Regional WLGA coordination Fora Network group
All Wales Charity Covenant Meeting Trust Fund 21 58
A senior Welsh Government official This will allow Governments and support attends the UK Government Armed Forces providers to better understand the profile Covenant Reference Group to ensure good and needs of the ex-military community. practice and issues relating to the Armed Forces community are shared. We work National Population survey with partners across the UK to ensure we In May 2020, The National Survey for coordinate policies but also reflect the Wales included questions related to service differing situations across Wales and other in the Armed Forces to identify people parts of the UK. who had previously served in the Armed Forces and those with an immediate Metrics – Improving Data and family or household member Serving, Evidence or who had previously served. Of the 3,000 respondents for the month: We have long supported work – started by the Royal British Legion – to include a » 25% of respondents had an immediate question on present and past membership family or household member either of the Armed Forces in the UK Census. Serving or a veteran; In July 2020, legislation was passed by the UK Parliament to amend the census » 5% of respondents identified as an in England and Wales and for the first Armed Forces veteran. time, it will provide information on whether someone has served in HM Armed Forces. This information will help inform policy across Welsh Government.
Map of need Key highlights
The e e e 3 h 20 140 000 e e he e e e 19 173 e e e e e e e
e ee 20 4 20 8 he e e e e e e e e 82 000 he e e e e e e 65 e e 41 years.
e h e he e e e e e h
Based within Northumbria University, The Northern Hub for Veterans and Military Families Research is a collective of academics, service providers and service users with an interest in improving the health and social wellbeing of veterans and their families. The Hub has developed an online directory of services available to the veteran community. The Map of Need project provides evidence-based findings about the veteran population. 22 58
Data for Wales from the Map of Need » As at 31 March 2019, there were 19,173 military pension and The available data estimates that: compensations attributable to veterans » Approximately 140,000 veterans are in Wales. Amongst the Local Authority residing in Wales1. Veterans aged above areas the Vale of Glamorgan stands out working age (65+) are estimated at with 1,557 (8%), followed by Rhondda 82,000. Cynon Taf with 1,258 (7%) and Flintshire with 1,249 (7%). » In 2011 there were approximately 50,000 working age veterans in Wales. Findings from the Map of Need research In 2017, this figure was estimated at project show that several areas of third 58,000. Therefore, an increase of 8,000 sector assistance can be found in Wales. working age veterans over six years. Amongst the three branches of the Armed » Isle of Anglesey, Conwy, Flintshire and Forces the pattern is identical, and some Pembrokeshire Local Authorities each areas stand out across Wales. have a percentage of working age The main areas for Royal Navy veterans Veterans higher than 3% of the total in receipt of assistance are Colwyn Bay, working age population. The Local Wrexham, Newtown, Llanelli, Swansea Authorities where the proportion and Cardiff. of working age veterans is lowest is Ceredigion (1.78%) and Cardiff (1.59%). Army veterans in need of assistance can be predominantly found in Caernarfon, » There are no estimates of the total Bangor, Colwyn Bay and Rhyl in the North. veteran population or veterans aged In the South, the areas that stand out are above working age (65+) at the Local Pembroke, Carmarthen and the corridor Authority level. However, figures for between Llanelli and Cardiff, including recipients of military pension and Swansea and Pontypridd. compensation are available2. RAF veterans in need of assistance follow a similar pattern to the other branches. However, there is a focal point of need in Merthyr Tydfil that is not as evident as in the other hotspots. 23 58
This year we again provided approximately £700,000 to Veterans NHS Wales (VNHSW) enabling the service to deliver evidence-based treatment for service-related mental health conditions. 24 58
Health and Wellbeing Though the majority of Armed Forces personnel leave the forces healthy and ready to move onto the next stage of their lives, others may return from conflict or leave the Armed Forces with complex healthcare needs. These may not surface until years after the individual has left the Services. We are continuously working to ensure healthcare provision meets the needs of those who require support.
ACHIEVEMENTS
£700 000 486 e e e e e e e e e e e e h e e he h 20 e h 2020
12 £85 700 e e e e e e e h he e e e ee e e he 20 h 202 h 2020 14 94 e e e e e e he e he e e e e e he e e e
84 £113 40 e e e e he e e he e e e e e 20
31 329 e e e e h e e e e e h e e e e e e e e e h e 25 58
Veterans NHS Wales This year we again provided approximately Veterans NHS Wales data below: £700,000 to Veterans NHS Wales (VNHSW) enabling the service to deliver evidence- » Figure 1. based treatment for service-related Referrals April 2019-March 2020 mental health conditions. » Figure 2. 795 veterans have been referred to the Treatment April 2019-March 2020 service from March 2019-April 2020. » Figure 3. Since it was established in 2010, Assessments April 2019-March 2020 VNHSW has received over 5000 referrals.
Figure 1
1 Apr- 2 Jul- 3 Oct- 4 Jan- Grand Sum of Referrals Jun 2019 Sep 2019 Dec 2019 Mar 2020 Total
Swansea Bay 28 39 31 31 129
Aneurin Bevan 18 47 40 22 127
Betsi Cadwaladr 34 41 37 35 147
Cardiff and Vale 16 24 29 18 87
Cwm Taf Morgannwg 44 40 40 40 164
Hywel Dda 32 42 38 29 141
Grand Total 172 233 215 175 795 26 58
Figure 2
Sum of In Swansea Aneurin Betsi Cardiff Cwm Taf Hywel Grand Treatment Bay Bevan Cadwaladr and Vale Morgannwg Dda Total
Apr-19 22 43 38 25 16 19 163
May-19 20 40 51 25 17 20 173
Jun-19 22 42 46 28 19 22 179
Jul-19 34 37 49 27 19 22 188
Aug-19 33 33 45 23 29 19 182
Sep-19 30 34 45 21 34 18 182
Oct-19 39 36 46 17 35 18 191
Nov-19 36 37 46 20 37 15 191
Dec-19 34 32 35 23 35 16 175
Jan-20 34 34 50 21 38 20 197
Feb-20 29 33 46 20 34 19 181
Mar-20 25 27 48 19 30 17 166
Figure 3
Sum of Assessments 1 Apr- 2 Jul- 3 Oct- 4 Jan- Grand Completed Jun 2019 Sep 2019 Dec 2019 Mar 2020 Total
Swansea Bay 17 31 14 23 85
Aneurin Bevan 27 29 26 28 110
Betsi Cadwaladr 38 21 34 27 120
Cardiff and Vale 8 13 14 15 50
Cwm Taf Morgannwg 12 11 25 26 74
Hywel Dda 13 6 18 10 47
Grand Total 115 111 131 129 486 27 58
In May 2020 the Welsh Government In January 2020, the Welsh Government provided interim funding of £85,700 to published the Together for Mental Health cover the staff costs from October 2020 Delivery Plan 2019-2022, which outlined to 31 March 2021 for the 3 posts our priority areas for action. This included previously funded by Help for Heroes. improving the access, quality and range This will maintain capacity to provide of psychological therapies. A specific services. Consideration will be given to action asks Health Boards to continue to the future capacity and service needs support Veterans NHS Wales to deliver of VNHSW. timely and appropriate services and, alongside Welsh Government and the third Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, sector organisations, to raise awareness in March 2020 VNHSW took the decision of veterans’ mental health needs with to postpone face-to-face assessments medical professionals and the general and therapy. Therapists continue to offer population. veterans a mixture of videoconference therapy using Attend Anywhere (or other platforms), telephone triage, assessment Supporting amputee veterans and support, face to face contact for We have supported veterans who have certain veterans and walk and talk therapy lost limbs during their service, to ensure (for PTSD and depression). It continues to they have the prosthetics they require signpost and refer to other stakeholders. to help them succeed in their future lives. From April 2019 to March 2020, VNHSW, in partnership with Cardiff the Welsh Health Specialised Service University, funded by Forces in Mind Trust, Committee agreed 12 requests for War led research into 3MDR (Modular Motion- Veteran prosthetics at an estimated cost assisted Memory Desensitisation and of £113,401. These provisions included Reconsolidation) Therapy, to investigate replacement devices, upgrades and whether ‘virtual reality’ therapy with specialist blades. the aid of a treadmill reduces symptoms of PTSD in treatment-resistant military Our War Veterans – Enhanced Prosthetic veterans. Provision policy provides veterans in Wales with the same level of support A full copy of the report is available at: to that provided by the Defence Medical https://www.ncmh.info/wp-content/ Rehabilitation Centre at Stanford hall. uploads/2020/05/Cardiff-3MDR-Study- Veterans in Wales can also access Final-Report-with-cover-21.5.20.pdf microprocessor knees for service related injuries through our Enhanced https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/ Prosthetics Provision policy for a Service full/10.1111/acps.13200 attributable injury. Psychological therapies In April 2019, the Welsh Government Psychological therapies, such as cognitive provided £50,000 to fund specialist behaviour therapy and mindfulness, prosthetic socket training. This has can help those suffering from PTSD. ensured veterans may receive the ongoing Welsh Government is committed to support they require within Wales. This will continuing the provision of psychological also offer improvements for other core therapies in adult services and from 2018 service users. we have provided Health Boards with an additional £4million in funding for this purpose. 28 58
BLESMA: The Limbless Veterans Charity assist limbless veterans to lead independent and fulfilling lives. Key figures for 2019/20: » 165 BLESMA members in Wales (includes all Amputees, those with Loss of Use of Limb and Widow[er]s being supported) » 94 (Amputees) veterans requiring access to prosthetic services » 52 veterans with Service attributable injury
BLESMA members accessing services at each of the ALACs: » 43 in Cardiff » 24 in Swansea » 23 in Wrexham
Identifying the Armed Forces Veterans Trauma Network Community In October 2019, the Deputy Minister for In collaboration with NHS colleagues, Housing and Local Government launched we developed a national poster for display the Veterans Trauma Network Wales in GP surgeries and wider community to (VTN). VTN Wales will form a collaboration further raise awareness of the Armed of specialists in the Welsh tertiary centres Forces Covenant – Healthcare Priority for with relevant expertise who are interested Veterans policy and encourage veterans in veterans’ care. to self-identify so medical staff are The VTN will deal with problems related aware of any service related conditions. to a veterans’ time in service. A veteran Electronic versions were issued in will be prioritised for treatment on a June 2019, to all GP practices for display clinical basis only, just as with any other . A further on television screens or print NHS patient. print version was sent to Local Health Board Champions in October 2019 to Over the last eighteen months significant ensure wider coverage across primary work has been undertaken to implement care settings. the new South, Mid and West Wales Major Trauma Operational Delivery The GMS form includes questions on Network (ODN). When the ODN becomes military service to enable identification fully operational, hosted by Swansea when registering with a GP practice. Bay University Health Board, it will also The guidance also promotes the use of provide oversight for the Veterans’ Trauma standard read codes for recording on Network Wales. The ODN was planned to health information systems. This is to help go live in April 2020, but was postponed ensure veterans are identified and able due to Covid-19, work is currently to access priority treatment should their being undertaken to establish a new condition be the result of their time within Go Live date. the Services, and so family members’ time Patients in North and Mid-Wales, will be on waiting lists is honoured if posted in closely linked to the equivalent members from another area. of VTN England working in Liverpool, The guidance is scheduled for review in Birmingham and Stoke-on-Trent. 2020/21. 29 58
The VTN webpage will be hosted on www.veteranswales.co.uk during the CASE STUDY coming year. VC Gallery Loneliness and Social Isolation Veterans with the Community – strategy the aim of the project was to provide a safe and open environment for lonely and/or isolated veterans to engage with art and express themselves through creativity. It predominantly targeted spouses of Serving military personnel in the Pembrokeshire area, members who had difficulty accessing existing provision and those who may be digitally excluded. Individuals were encouraged to use their ‘artistic voice’ to express VC Gallery (Pembrokeshire) volunteers providing support emotions, relieve stress and combat social isolation by offering a variety of activities in many different locations. In February 2020, we launched ‘Connected communities: a strategy for The project reached out to families that tackling loneliness and social isolation had relocated to the area and were and building stronger connections’. struggling to integrate. It provided the In the strategy, we recognised the support needed to establish valuable potential challenges that some members connections and friendships. of the Armed Forces community may face, The project held 40 sessions across drawing on research from organisations Pembrokeshire (pre-Covid 19), reaching such as The Royal British Legion. over 400 veterans from across the Using the feedback from our Veterans Services. Scoping Exercise and other existing evidence, we know that experiences such as leaving the Forces, feelings of Following the onset of Covid 19, some of loss, or loss of value can perpetuate this activity was re-directed to support the struggle with loneliness and social charities to respond to the pandemic, isolation. ensuring help for the ex‑Service community could continue and be In the strategy we committed to providing adapted in line with Government guidance. additional funding to undertake targeted activity to alleviate loneliness and social isolation amongst members of the Armed Forces community. Working with key partners in the sector, in Spring 2020, grants worth £120,000 were provided to meet those objectives.
30 58
CASE STUDY CASE STUDY Army Families Federation BLESMA Loneliness and Isolation – Brunch and Digital Inclusion Project – Armed Forces Community in Wales – A programme of informal mealtime Face-to-face events have been delivered and social events was established to across a number of locations including bring BLESMA Members (limbless and Brecon, St Athan, Chepstow and limb-injured veterans) their partners/ Haverfordwest. Tailored to meet the carers and widows together in local specific needs of families the events communities throughout Wales. were delivered in a variety of formats including coffee and chat, bingo, 98 Members and their families came connect and chat, virtual groups and together to share experiences, dispersed family connect. Just under build connections, and friendships to 300 individual families were reached reduce feelings of isolation, and receive through these events, with many tailored digital training to help them families attending more than one. access the new BLESMA Connects mobile and web-based App. A four week survey of Army families in Wales and their views on social This also enabled access to wider isolation and loneliness whilst part of the services on the internet including food military in Wales was also undertaken. shopping; or being able to connect with This highlighted that the most friends and family on Skype or other significant contributors to social isolation video calls. were the absence of the Serving partner due to service requirements and the lack of access to local support services. A programme of additional needs groups was set up in three locations and these are now self-sustaining.
Testimony from BLESMA member, Roy, from Aberdare –
I am attending a Blesma dinner helped by funding from the Welsh Government. I am completing this Blesma Members feedback survey and I have too many comments to cram in here. Blesma has helped me and my wife Diane in so many ways we can hardly thank Tom and Jason enough. They have really helped my wellbeing during a critical time and helped me to attend various activities with Blesma over the past year, including a Seniors Week and a trip to Normandy. Tom is also helping with my prosthetics needs and helped me get access to a micro-processor knee. The Blesma Wales team has made a significant and positive impact on mine and my wife’s life. Just knowing that you are part of a wider family, with the help and support on offer is fantastic. I now feel less isolated and enjoy getting together with others who struggle like me. I can talk to them and find out their story, and we can swap advice about our own issues. 31 58
Fast-track Referral Pathway Veterans Hearing fund We recognise the valuable work carried out The Veterans Hearing Fund provides through the MOD Fast-track Pathway in support to veterans who suffered hearing Wales. Providing secondary and specialist loss during service when their needs care, the service prioritises access to cannot be provided by statutory services treatments for Service personnel who such as the NHS. The Royal British Legion are actively serving but are currently has been administering the Veterans graded as ‘medically not deployable’. Hearing Fund on behalf of HM Treasury From April 2019 to March 2020, since 2015. the Welsh Health Specialised Services In 2019 there were successful Committee agreed funding for 31 fast- 84 applications to the fund in Wales, track treatments at an estimated cost worth a total value of 3. of £72,473. The majority of treatment £284,746 requests were related to orthopaedic injury. Substance Misuse support Working Together to Reduce Harm is the Free swimming Welsh Government’s Substance Misuse Service personnel can access free Delivery Plan. Focussing on both mental swimming at Local Authority swimming and physical wellbeing it also considers pools across Wales using their Defence substance misuse. In Wales, Area Planning Privilege Card. Launched in 2015 the Boards have been established in each scheme has been extended until 2021. Health Board area. The Boards are responsible for the development and A total of 8,319 free swims were recorded management of substance misuse during 2019/20. services. During 2019/20 329 veterans received treatment and support across Wales.
Number of veterans in Wales receiving treatment for substance misuse between 2014-15 and 2019-20
2014-15 2015-16 2016-17 2017-18 2018-19 2019-20
Number of veterans who are receiving/ have received 306 345 295 292 355 329 treatment for alcohol or drug misuse
*Annual numbers adjusted for data reconciliation
3 The fund is not currently accepting new applications. 32 58
Gambling Alongside work being taken forward to deliver the Partnership Agreement, The Welsh Government has facilitated Welsh Government has also provided an the listing of the National Gambling additional £1million per annum to fund Treatment Service on the Veterans’ primary health services in the prisons, Gateway, ensuring that people who use which will include a specific focus on the Gateway are able access to support, mental health services. information and treatment should they have an issue with gambling. Also this year: The Welsh Government continues to » Promoting awareness of Priority support the UK Armed Forces Veterans’ Treatment Health & Gambling Study being undertaken at Swansea University. The study is the Following the issuing of our Armed first in the UK to investigate gambling Forces Covenant – Healthcare Priority experiences in a large sample of Armed for Veterans guidance to NHS staff in Forces veterans. Recruitment of veterans September 2017, the Welsh Government for the study is ongoing and participation along with Health Board Champions is actively encouraged, with the and lead executives with responsibility recruitment phase closing in November for Armed Forces and veterans, have 2020. More information about the study, continued to promote awareness of the and how veterans can take part can policy across the NHS and the wider be found at: community. www.veteranshealthandgambling.org/
Veteran Friendly GP Practices Good practice: The Royal College of General Practitioners Aneurin Bevan University Health has produced a Veterans Healthcare Board upholds their commitment to Toolkit as a resource to support GP the Armed Forces covenant by having practices on how to deal with veterans’ access to a priority treatment service healthcare needs. Welsh Government for Service children and young people, is working with partners to explore the who need emotional wellbeing and development of a resource for Wales and mental health support under Child roll-out across Health Boards has been Adolescent Mental Health Service deferred during the Covid-19 pandemic. (CAMHS).
Veterans’ healthcare in Prison The Partnership Agreement for Prison » Action to prevent Suicide Health sets out agreed priorities between Welsh Government, Public Health Wales, The Talk to Me 2 Strategy has led to an Her Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service increased focus on multiagency working (HMPPS) and Health Boards for improving to prevent suicide, with plans established the health and wellbeing of those in in all areas of Wales. This will be supported prison. One of these priorities is to develop by an additional £500,000 a year to be new standards for mental health services invested in specific national and regional in prisons in Wales. This work has been approaches to tackle suicide and self-harm delayed due to the Covid-19 pandemic. prevention. 33 58
» Dentistry » Honouring time spent on NHS Waiting Lists The Welsh Government continues to provide an additional £1.3m per annum to In Wales, we continue to honour the time help create 10,000 new NHS dental places spent on an NHS waiting list in other areas. across Wales. Betsi Cadwaladr University If a member of the Armed Forces or their Health Board has commissioned additional immediate family is on a NHS waiting list primary care dental services across North and are posted to another part of the Wales, including the practice at Valley on country, any waiting time accrued will be Anglesey. carried forward with them.
While not specifically aimed at RAF All Local Health Boards in Wales are aware families based at Valley, the families have of this commitment. benefited from the additional access that the commissioning has provided. 34 58
For the 2019/20 academic year, the Welsh Government again provided funding to support the children of Armed Forces personnel in Wales. 35 58
Education and Skills
The Welsh Government recognises that on return to civilian life Service leavers and veterans may want to expand and build on the skills gained during Service. We are also aware of the challenges that Federations and other key partners, we Service children may face as a result of are continually seeking to improve our parental employment and the emotional understanding of the needs of families pressures this can cause. In collaboration and how we can support them. with the Armed Forces Families
ACHIEVEMENTS
£249 891 27 e e h he h e e e h e e e e e he e e h e
£68 550 £131 891 e e e h h e e h e h e e h e e e he e e he e
10 £3.4 million e e he e e e e h h he e e e
Supporting Service Children in Wales fund For the 2019/20 academic year, the submissions from individual schools, Welsh Government again provided groups of schools, and Local Authorities funding to support the children of Armed successfully secured full or partial Forces personnel in Wales. A total of 27 funding totalling £249,946.63. 36 58
The Welsh Government continues to In collaboration with HQ 160th (Welsh) fund the Supporting Service Children Brigade, SSCE Cymru has secured funding in Education (SSCE) Cymru programme, for four Regional School Liaison Officers whose mission is to provide the best for a two-year project. The project will possible educational support to Service focus on supporting schools to understand children in Wales. In response to Covid 19, the needs of Service children and embed SSCE Cymru has also established a new activities to ensure sustainable support web page, which provides information, systems. advice, and signposting to organisations and resources relevant to supporting Data collection Service children during the pandemic. Work is underway to explore options This year, SSCE Cymru launched a suite for collecting data on Service children in of new resources aimed at supporting schools in Wales. schools, families and Service children. The collection of this data will enable a SSCE Cymru also ran a number discussion better understanding of their attainment groups in schools across Wales, to levels and educational requirements to hear from Service children about their better address their needs. experiences of education in Wales. These findings fed into the SCiP Alliance Year of the Service Child Voice project report. 37 58
Further and Higher Education Additionally, the ISII has calculated that Commitment scheme in Wales, engagement in Cadet activities in schools and the wider community The Welsh Government contributed Cadet units is worth £3.4 million, a total of £131,891 in financial year while the activity of Cadet Force Adult 2018-19, towards the Further and Higher Volunteers (CFAV) is worth £20 million. Education Scheme enabling Service leavers across Wales to benefit from further/ Also this year: higher education. » SCiP Alliance Hub Cymru established. Armed Forces Bereavement The SCiP Alliance champions the Scholarship Scheme progression of the children of Armed In Wales, the Armed Forces Bereavement Forces personnel (Service Children), Scholarship Scheme provides children of so that they can make informed and those who have died in the service of their confident transitions through further and country a head start in life by providing higher education into thriving adult lives and careers. a scholarship. In financial year 2018-19, the Welsh » Additional Learning Needs Government contributed a total of A new system for supporting learners, £68,550 supporting students on this including Service children, with additional scheme. learning needs (ALN) will be implemented on a phased basis from September 2021. Service children and school The ALN Code will include specific guidance admissions relating to Service children with ALN. The School Admissions Code is subject to ongoing review but the work has been delayed due to Covid 19.
Cadets programme in Wales. Phase 2 of the Cadet Expansion Programme (CEP) ended in March, having met its UK National target of 500 Combined Cadet Force (CCF) units in schools. Five new Cadet Units were established in schools and Colleges in Wales, making a total of 10 CCFs in Wales. The ongoing study by University of Northampton’s Institute of Social Impact and Innovation (ISII) recently reconfirmed the positive benefits for pupils attending Cadet Units in schools and community Cadet Units. 38 58
The Welsh Government announced funding of £10 million in March 2020, to support Local Authorities to secure the accommodation needed. 39 58
Housing It is recognised that having suitable affordable accommodation when leaving the Armed Forces is pivotal to a successful transition. In collaboration with our partners we will continue to ensure the housing provision meets the needs of our Armed Forces community in Wales.
Covid 19 support Homebuy The Welsh Government announced funding of £10 million in March 2020, to support Local Authorities to secure the accommodation needed, to ensure those without a home can be protected, supported, and self-isolate if necessary.
Since the Covid 19 lockdown began, over 800 people who were previously sleeping rough or in inappropriate temporary accommodation or ‘sofa surfing’ have been provided with shelter and support to keep them safe.
Officials continue to work closely with Local Authorities to identify and secure a range of accommodation, and facilitate appropriate levels of support to house vulnerable and displaced persons including those from the ex-Service community. Veterans have priority status in the Welsh Government Homebuy scheme. In the next phase of our response, the Welsh Government is investing up to Widows and widowers of personnel who £50 million to both transform services have been killed in Service are also eligible and ensure that those in temporary for the scheme. accommodation can move on to long- term sustainable accommodation and to ensure dignified suitable options are made available for those who face homelessness in the future, including those from the ex- Service community. 40 58
Across Wales, Armed Forces Single Points of Contact (SPoCs) are located in all 59 Jobcentre Plus sites, supported by district Armed Forces Champions and a Wales Champion. 41 58
Benefits and Finance The Welsh Government is aware of the challenges that can be experienced by Service leavers and veterans when accessing benefits that they are entitled to. We are continually working to ensure this process is as straightforward as possible.
ACHIEVEMENTS
50 27 400 e 59 e e he e e e e e e e he he e e h e e
e e e e 42 58
Free Childcare Offer The Welsh Government recognises CASE STUDY childcare is one of the biggest challenges The Communities for Work (CfW) facing working parents in Wales. team in East Wales identified an Army Through our Welsh Government funded veteran who had served in Afghanistan Childcare Offer we are providing 30 hours and been subsequently medically a week of government-funded early discharged following a diagnosis of education and childcare for working PTSD. parents of three and four year olds, for up He was receiving psychiatric support to 48 weeks of the year. and had recently completed a This support is available across all Local Methadone programme. In receipt of Authorities in Wales and can be accessed Employment and Support Allowance by working parents. (ESA) and Personal Independence Payment (PIP) his partner also Department for Work and Pensions received Carer’s Allowance for his care. (DWP) Adopting an approach supported Department for Work & Pensions (DWP) by his Psychiatrist, the Champion in Wales ensures provision is in place for engaged with and supported him over veterans, Service personnel and their several months, eventually identifying families in need of advice and support. a return to work as his preferred way forward. Being interested in asbestos Across Wales, Armed Forces Single Points removal the Champion arranged to of Contact (SPoCs) are located in all fund a medical and asbestos training 59 Jobcentre Plus sites, supported by course for him, both of which he district Armed Forces Champions and a passed successfully. Wales Champion. Together they identified suitable job As well as the full range of existing opportunities with the Champion Jobcentre Plus services available they providing advice and guidance on provide an additional level of support to applying for work and interview the Armed Forces community to access techniques. A Construction Skills benefits, find employment and as a Certification Scheme (CSCS) card was gateway to other support services and also arranged for him, and working organisations. with the Welsh Government, they were able to fund the specialist equipment he needed. He has since started work and he and his partner no longer need to claim benefit. They have said they are delighted with the support available and when asked what more could be done to improve it commented “absolutely nothing”. 43 58
Transport » Defence Discount Card promoted Veterans in receipt of benefit provided The Welsh Government previously under the Armed Forces and Reserved funded an awareness campaign to Compensation Scheme are entitled to a promote the benefits of the Defence blue badge. Recent regulations extended Privilege Card and to ensure more the eligibility for a badge to veterans with Serving personnel and veterans were cognitive impairment when in receipt of made aware of the benefits on offer. the relevant benefit award.
Seriously injured veterans are eligible for concessionary bus travel. The Welsh Government extended the entitlement to a concessionary bus pass in 2011 specifically to those in receipt of Armed Forces Compensations Scheme (AFCS).
Also this year: » War Disablement Pension (WDP) and Armed Forces Compensation Schemes (AFCS) Disregarded These include discounts, both online and » Welsh Government guidelines have on the high street, in retail, leisure and continued to disregard WDP and other venues. AFCS payments in the means test for social care. To date there are 27,400 members in Wales with just over 17,000 card » Council tax support provided holders. » In Wales, anyone in receipt of a war We have continued to promote the card disablement pension, an Armed Forces within the Armed Forces community. compensation scheme or a war widow’s/ widower’s/civil partner’s pension will have £10 a week of the income disregarded in calculating entitlement for the council tax reduction scheme.
» Council tax discount applied Where a Serving member of the Armed forces occupies Service Family Accommodation (SFA) in Great Britain as their primary home but owns a furnished home elsewhere (for example: for use at weekends or when on leave), they are entitled to a 50% discount on the council tax for that property. 44 58
The Welsh Government has confirmed further funding of the AFLO posts across Wales to progress the work being undertaken to improve awareness of the Covenant. 45 58
Support on Return to Civilian Life The majority of Service leavers transition from the Armd Forces well and integrate back into community life effectively. Having the right support in place on return to civilian life is crucial to a successful transition – and is something we are actively addressing, working in collaboration with our key partners to ensure that Service leavers and their families returning to Wales have access to information on the support available at a local level.
ACHIEVEMENTS
£1 000 000 e e he e e e e e
11 h £910 000 £279 000 e e he e h e e e h e e e
£275 000 37 e he e e e Forces Liaison Officer posts e h £510 676
Armed Forces Liaison Officers (AFLOs) The Welsh Government has confirmed We have established a new reporting further funding of the AFLO posts mechanism through the AFLOs, ensuring across Wales to progress the work being that regional Armed Forces fora can undertaken to improve awareness of the provide feedback on best practice and Covenant. £275,000 per annum has been areas of concern for consideration at the allocated for two years from April 2021. Armed Forces Expert Group. 46 58
Scoping Exercise update To support this, a network of champions has been established throughout Wales, The Wales Veterans Scoping Exercise across the National Probation Service, which began in October 2018 was a year- Wales Community Rehabilitation Company long consultation with the Ex-Service and many of the Police custody suites. community to identify the gaps in services for them and their families in Wales. This year we have seen the recommendations of that work taken This year, SToMP helped John an ex- forward. Progress to date includes: ASP access mental health services in Cardiff when he was released from » We have begun work with the Careers prison. He has since been able to find a Transition Partnership, MOD and sector suitable place to live and access to job partners to explore how we can enhance opportunities which means he is less and support the existing provisions likely to offend in the future. for Service leavers coming to Wales, including resettlement guidance specific to Wales; Updating information on the Veterans’ Gateway » A one-offloneliness and social isolation grant for support organisations; The Welsh Government has worked with the University of Northumbria to update » Updating the Veterans’ Gateway with the Veterans and Families’ Directory of more Wales-specific services. Services through the Veterans’ Gateway to ensure that information on local support – Criminal Justice such as Armed Forces hubs and support A key example of partnership working is groups – is available, up to date and visible. the Supporting the Transition of Military The Veterans’ Gateway has continued Personnel (SToMP) project. The project to deliver support to the ex-Service was established to provide a whole system community in Wales. partnership approach to supporting ex- Armed Service Personnel (ASP) who come into contact with the Criminal Justice System in Wales.
2,500
2,000
1,500 1,981 1,554 1,414
1,000 1,350 1,255 1,214 1,178 1,092 955 1,064 1,063 1,039 500 1,010 1,019
0 Jul 19 Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec Jan ’20 Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug
The number of website users and sessions Users Sessions Wales 10,546 15,129 47 58
Veterans’ Gateway Geolocation & Hotspots
City Users Sessions
Cardiff 2,566 3,650 Newport 639 781 Bridgend 545 670 Pontypridd 535 2,190 Caerphilly 408 503 Neath 358 472 Cwmbran 316 404 Llanelli 311 402 Wrexham 267 330 Barry 262 347 Other 4,339 5,380
Grand Total 10,546 15,129
We continue to promote the Veterans’ Gateway through our publications, and Bridgend Carers ran a reducing isolation engagement with our partners. project to support veterans and carers. 56 veterans/carers were helped with The diagrams above demonstrate the over 300 calls/engagements held. location and volume of users’ activity The project spent 16 hours at the on accessing information and support Princess of Wales hospital running on a range of topics. This is consistent outreach services (pre-Covid 19 with the data received by Northumbria lockdown) and provided 38 digital University’s Map of Need and highlights tablets to veterans to keep in touch the geographical areas and specific needs with family during lockdown. of veterans and their families that the themed Scoping Action Groups will target going forward. Defence Transition Services Supporting those working with the Defence Transition Services (DTS) started ex-Service community supporting clients in October 2019 in Welsh Government funding this year has Wales. The service provides information supported various projects to support and support for those Service leavers the Armed Forces community including and families who are most likely to face Bridgend Carers: challenges as they leave the Armed Forces. In Wales, DTS work closely with the Armed Forces Liaison Officers to link in with Local Government and third sector support to identify the most appropriate support available. 48 58
DTS have supported over 180 clients, During the project, 902 referrals were a number of whom are leaving the made to portfolio partners and 40% of Services from a Wales-based posting service users were referred to 5 or more or who are looking to resettle in Wales partner organisations. once they leave. » 42.2% of service users self-declared The Welsh Government has worked in mental health and financial stress as partnership with DTS facilitating relations key concerns between the service and sector partners in Wales. » 42.4% reported mental health and social isolation Family Support » 42.8% stated that their mental health In recognising the difference in policies & stress levels were challenging. that exist across all UK nations we have PTSD was the most consistent factor in published our refreshed Welcome to Wales referral with 132 service users seeking document. The document includes up to support in relation to service-related date details on the support in place in trauma. Wales. At the onset of the Covid 19 pandemic, the service adapted to ensure veterans Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust4 could still access support. The Covenant Trust continues to support Veterans’ community centres the Armed Forces community in Wales, The £3 million funding programme through the provision of ambitious, funded renovations and improvements to large‑scale projects that change the way veterans’ community centres. they approach provision of services down to smaller local grants that encourage community collaboration. Examples include:
Change Step Change Step is a Peer mentoring service who commenced delivery in April 2019, of the Next Steps project funded by the Armed Forces Covenant Trust’s Tackling Serious Stress programme. The aim of the project was to assist service users undergoing serious challenges, affect long-term change, and ensure they have robust self-management strategies. Delivered by veterans, the project was developed following engagement with service users and partner organisations. 49 58
RAF ASSOCIATION LLANGOLLEN Built in 1965 the RAF Association Community Centre in Llangollen was in need of repair and maintenance. The centre had become a hub where successive generations would meet, socialise and for some the twice weekly Bingo was the only time they had social contact outside their homes. The Association Committee worked together to make a funding bid for £29,505.00 to the Armed Forces Covenant Trust under the Veterans Community Centres programme. They were delighted to get their bid approved by the Trustees before the August board meeting as a matter of emergency as the building was unable to open and deemed unsafe. Work was completed in just under a month, and the new roof was completed in September 2019.
The grant award from the Trust really was a lifeline to the Branch says Sheena On behalf of the Llangollen Branch RAF Association and members, we would like to wholeheartedly thank the Trustees of the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust for this grant award. Without it we would not have been able to re-open or invest our funds in further renovation and improvements for our members to enjoy.
Covenant Fund Programmes 2020 21
6 37 e e e e e e e e £1 030 000 £510 676
14 11 e e e e h e e 20 20 £279 044 £910 000
Information on the Armed Forces Covenant Trust: https://www.covenantfund.org.uk/ 50 58
The Welsh Government is developing a Covid Commitment to offer advice and support to people to find work, pursue self-employment or find a place in education or training, with hiring opportunities for employers. 51 58
Employment and Skills The Welsh Government recognises the wealth of skills and experience that Serving personnel bring to the workplace. We are working with our partners to raise awareness of the benefits of employing ex-Serving personnel. Scoping – Employment Action Supporting those impacted by Group Covid 19 As part of the Veterans Scoping Exercise The Welsh Government is developing we have established a new Employment a Covid Commitment to offer advice Action Group to help improve employment and support to people to find work, support for the Armed Forces community. pursue self-employment or find a place Membership of the group includes in education or training, with hiring charities, statutory agencies and the MOD. opportunities for employers. This is Its focus is to support individuals and especially to support individuals most employers and provide coordination of affected by Covid-19. service delivery. Plans for next year include an Employer-focused event. The Minister for Economy, Transport and North Wales has already signaled that the Welsh Government will utilise up to £40m Going Forwards into Employment of Economic Resilience Funding for this and Guaranteed Interview Scheme support. (GFIE & GIS Schemes) Officials are continuing to work with Working Wales colleagues in the UK Government to Delivered by Careers Wales. Working implement the delivery of GFIE and GIS Wales offer support finding a job, up- schemes within the Welsh Government. skilling through courses and training, The work is scheduled to be completed in and identifying funding opportunities. Spring 2021. Working Wales are part of the Veterans Scoping Exercise Action Groups, and have Forces Families Jobs been working with Armed Forces support In October 2019 we jointly launched the providers to promote their services, and to Forces Families Jobs (FFJ) service with the inform veterans of the support available Families Federations in Wales. FFJ is the in Wales. go-to place for training and employment for family members of currently serving UK British Training Board (BTB) military personnel and we have promoted This year BTB started the Positive to all regional forums and partners. Direction project with the aims of providing a more coordinated approach to Working with Business in the engagement with employers; encouraging Community Cymru employers to support veterans/Reservists through work placements; supporting We have continued our employment- partners and spouses with career focused work with BITC. Development of development; and providing upskilling an Employers Toolkit Addendum aimed and training to ensure beneficiaries are at military families is underway and will be prepared for a new career. published later in 2020. 52 58
During the project, engagement was made with 1284 employers including public and CASE STUDY: TODDLE BORN WILD private sector employers. 22 Participants were supported through the project. After 9 years as an Officer in the Armed Forces (RAF), Hannah Saunders In total 62 qualifications were awarded decided to leave and set up her own (average 3 per person) including the adventure skin care business: “I was following sector specific subjects: very adventurous before having my Facilities management, Logistics and son, and just because I had a baby, this Education and Training. didn’t mean I suddenly wanted to stay in. However, my son could get terribly All participants were provided with chapped lips, especially in the British the opportunity to be interviewed by winter. So, I started looking around and appropriate employers and/or took part in couldn’t find anything on the market work placements. Of the 22 participants, for him. I then decided to make my own 15 are now in employment and 4 are now lip balm, in my kitchen, using natural self-employed. ingredients. After much tinkering, I finally found a recipe that worked!” Business Wales Having secured a start-up loan through Business Wales is the Welsh Government’s X-Forces, Hannah got in touch with fully funded business support service Business Wales, whose start-up advisers which helps people to start, run and grow helped her with setting up the business, their own businesses formulating a business plan, sourcing finance and exploring opportunities to tap into the EU, US and Australian markets. Toddle – Born Wild launched in 2018 from the Business Wales Wrexham Enterprise Hub and has been going from strength to strength ever since, making products for families who love the outdoors and want to protect and nourish their little adventurers. 53 58
The Welsh Government played a full part in the Welsh, UK and worldwide commemorations of D-Day 75.
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Commemoration The Welsh Government is proud of our vibrant Welsh nation with its own language, heritage and cultural identity. This includes a proud military tradition. Our Armed Forces continue to contribute VE day 75 greatly to the communities in which they The planned large-scale commemorations live and settle. We honour and recognise for VE Day 75 were disrupted by Covid the sacrifices they have made during 19, and the Welsh Government worked conflict. with partners to ensure the occasion was The Welsh Government is fully supportive recognised in a way that paid tribute to of Remembrance events across Wales, and the generation that saw victory in Europe. as a means of thanking the wider Armed The First Minister and Deputy Minister Forces community it provides £20,000 for Housing and Local Government took per annum to support a National Armed part in a number of video calls to veterans Forces Day event in Wales. of the Second World War, paying tribute to their service and hearing about their D-Day 75 experiences. The Welsh Government played a full part in the Welsh, UK and worldwide Wales also took part in the UK-wide flypast commemorations of D-Day 75. of RAF jets to mark VE day. In June 2019, the First Minister of Wales represented Wales at the events in Portsmouth and France to commemorate the 75th anniversary of D-Day, meeting veterans of the campaign and paying tribute to those involved, alongside other world leaders.
Photo: Royal British Legion Remember Together
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S’Hertogenbosch During the weekend of 26-27 October liberated by the 53rd Welsh Division in 2019 the First Minister travelled to Holland 1944 and the First Minister joined veterans to take place in the 75th anniversary and dignitaries for a weekend of poignant celebrations of the liberation of the Dutch events. city of s’Hertogenbosch. The city was
Photo: The Royal British Legion
Cymru’n Cofio West Wales Veterans Archive The Welsh Government’s commemorative The West Wales Veterans’ Archive framework programme, Cymru’n Cofio (WWVA) coordinated by Age Cymru Wales Remembers 1914-1918, officially Dyfed, is a pioneering and evolving completed in March 2020. collection of veterans’ histories held in the National Library of Wales. This digital A final document is being developed Archive captures the contributions made by the Cymru’n Cofio team to reflect by Armed Forces veterans with roots or the significant commemorative activity links to the West Wales region since WW2 undertaken in Wales, and further afield, and has been designed to be authoritative, over the last six years. Publication is publicly accessible, and sustainable. expected towards the end of 2020. The Archive, which commenced in the The Cymru’n Cofio website will also serve summer of 2020, already includes many as digital legacy for the programme and contributions from veterans who served will be available for the next five years. in WW2, National Service, Regulars, Reservists and Women’s Land Army. 56 58
What we will do – Commitments 2020/21 Health and wellbeing Benefits and Finance » Review the capacity within Veterans » Promote awareness of the benefits NHS Wales to further expand the service and provision in place for members of for veterans with mental health needs. the Armed Forces community including those in receipt of compensation » Review our Armed Forces Covenant payments. – Healthcare Priority for Veterans Guidance, which promotes the » Take forward the recommendations of identification of veterans by the NHS the Veterans Scoping Exercise relating to and enables veterans to access priority financial support available for the Armed treatment if their condition is a result of Forces community. their time in the Armed Forces. » Continue to provide free bus travel for » Continue to monitor delivery of support veterans injured during Service. for our ex-Service amputees. Support on return to civilian life » Work with existing providers to promote substance misuse support services to » Fund and support the work of the the Armed Forces community. AFLOs, to identify key issues to be actioned at the Armed Forces Expert » Continue to promote our Talk to Me Group and Veterans Scoping work. 2 Strategy within the sector to raise awareness of support available to help » Continue to progress work with key tackle suicide and self-harm. partners through the Veterans Scoping Exercise Information and Awareness/ » We will continue to take forward the Finance Group to identify the most recommendations of the Veterans’ effective mechanism for sharing Scoping Exercise in relation to information and raising awareness of healthcare. services available to support the Armed Forces community. Education » Progress the work of the Transition » We will continue to work to improve data Action Group to ensure a collaborative collection on service children in Wales. approach in supporting and providing » Continue to support the SSCE Cymru services for veterans and their families project, providing Service children, who need support on return to families and schools with valuable civilian life. resources and guidance. » Work with the Careers Transition Housing Partnership and HQ 160 (Welsh) Brigade to develop a Wales » Assess housing guidance to ensure the Resettlement Guide. principles of the Armed Forces Covenant continue to be reflected. » Take forward the recommendations of the Veterans Scoping Exercise relating to housing provision for the Armed Forces community. 57 58
Employment and skills Commemoration » Publish an addendum on supporting » We will work with the WLGA, military, military spouses, in partnership with Local Government and Third Sector BITC and the Scottish Government. partners on plans for Wales Armed Forces Day. We will provide financial » Take forward the recommendations of support for those events. the Veterans Scoping Exercise pertaining to employment for the Armed Forces » We will continue to work with our key community. partners to support Commemorative events, including the Battle of Britain » Progress the work being undertaken and Remembrance. to introduce Going Forward into Employment and Guaranteed Interview Schemes into the Welsh Government.
Governance » Continue to work with UK departments and devolved nations on proposals for new Armed Forces Covenant Legislation. » Work with UK partners to ensure the Veterans Scoping Exercise continues to support delivery of the pan-UK Strategy for our Veterans. » We will continue to work with the MOD and UK-partners to deliver agreed objectives on Armed Forces Covenant delivery. 58 58
Closing Words
This report provides a vivid picture of the work going on across Wales and beyond to provide support to our Armed Forces communities and our veterans. This year, I would especially wish to highlight the invaluable work undertaken by serving Military personnel in our country’s response to COVID 19. Our veterans have also played their part too in a very practical way. Examples include the Penparcau Veterans Hub, Aberystwyth. Hannah Blythyn MS Deputy Minister for Housing and The veterans involved have been Local Government providing a buddy system, and help with shopping, and the delivery of medicines. The VC Gallery, Haverfordwest established an ‘ops room’ to coordinate telephone contact for vulnerable veterans, help with shopping, online workshops, and engaged with welfare providers/police/mental health teams supporting those more vulnerable in our communities. We thank, and are grateful to those, and all the other individuals and organisations including Service charities, that have gone above and beyond to provide much needed support during these challenging times. As I hope this report demonstrates, we remain fully committed to supporting our Armed Forces community in Wales, and will continue to work with the Armed Forces Expert Group and others to provide the support that’s needed.