Forces in Mind
The Forces in Mind Trust
Over the next 20 years, the Forces in Mind Trust will provide UK-wide long-term support and advocacy for Service personnel and Veterans to make a successful transition to civilian life. The focus will be on addressing a range of problems which some ex-service personnel and their families can experience on returning back to civilian life, such as poor mental health, family breakdown, substance abuse and alcohol-related problems.
Some 20,000 people leave the armed forces each year and the Trust’s work will include commissioning research to improve knowledge of the issues affecting veterans and their families. The findings of this research will help shape new services and inform national policy. The Trust will also undertake awareness raising campaigns, and provide peer advice and support particularly to those veterans, their families and dependants who are seen as the most vulnerable.
The Launch
The Forces In Mind Trust (FIMT) was launched on Sunday 8th January with Royal backing from The Foundation of Prince William and Prince Harry to bring support to former UK military and their families.
Led by COBSEO, FIMT has been awarded a £35 million 20 year endowment by the Big Lottery Fund (BIG).
FIMT is a new independent charitable trust that has been formed from a partnership of UK Armed Forces charities, mental health organisations and other charities who offer help to the serving and veteran community. The Foundation of Prince William and Prince Harry will operate in partnership with the Trust over a three-year period in areas such as joint research, coordinated grant making and help in raising awareness of the issues facing veterans and their families.
Apart from COBSEO Members, key supporting charities are: The Mental Health Foundation, Centre for Mental Health and Shaw Trust.
Early Service Leavers Trial – Future Horizons Programme
The first initiative backed by the Forces in Mind Trust is a pilot scheme, Future Horizons, taking place at Catterick in Yorkshire. The scheme is providing 12 months of enhanced support and guidance on employment, accommodation, educational needs, and mental health issues for approximately 1,000 Early Service Leavers based at Catterick Garrison who will return back to locations across the UK.
The Big Lottery Fund
The Forces in Mind Trust continues BIG’s long-standing legacy of support for veterans across the UK. Since 2004 the Fund has given more than £88 million to programmes supporting veterans. The Fund’s Heroes Return initiative has enabled over 51,000 Second World War veterans, widows, spouses and carers to journey back to the places where they served and fought or where their loved ones died.
The Foundation of Prince William and Prince Harry
The Foundation of Prince William and Prince Harry was set up in September 2009 to enable The Princes to take forward their charitable ambitions. In 2011, the Foundation was delighted to welcome The Duchess of Cambridge as its third Patron who together with The Duke of Cambridge and Prince Harry, is committed to supporting former forces personnel and their families through the challenges of returning to civilian life. The Foundation of Prince William and Prince Harry is delighted to be partnering with the Forces in Mind Trust on such an important issue.
Contacts
Forces in Mind Trust Press contact: Alice Farrow on 07788 540 924 afarrow@theproffice.com
If you would like further information about the Forces in Mind Trust please use the enquiry email address – fimenquiries@cobseo.org.uk
Grants
Please note that the FIMT does not expect, or have the capacity, to take open applications for grants until September 2012 at the earliest.
FIM Trustee Limited – registration number 07855145
Forces in Mind Trust – charity registration number 1145688
