Recognise – Respond – Refer
Rob’s Watch provides a safe, supportive and trauma-informed pathway for veterans, serving personnel, reservists, family members, carers and bereaved families who may be struggling with the hidden impact of military service.
The project has a specialist focus on concerns associated with mild traumatic brain injury, known as mTBI, alongside:
• Emotional and psychological trauma
• Post-traumatic stress disorder
• Repeated blast exposure or head injury
• Memory and concentration difficulties
• Anxiety, depression and emotional distress
• Suicide risk and suicidal thoughts
• Adjustment to civilian life
• Bereavement, family pressures and relationship difficulties
• Isolation, anger, poor sleep and difficulty coping
Symptoms associated with mTBI can overlap with trauma, PTSD, anxiety and other mental health difficulties. Rob’s Watch therefore takes a joined-up approach and considers the needs of the whole person rather than treating concerns in isolation.
Rob’s Watch does not diagnose mTBI or PTSD. We help individuals recognise when something may not feel right and support them to access appropriate professional assessment, treatment and specialist services.
Support While People Are Waiting
We understand that people can face lengthy waits between referral, assessment and treatment.
Working alongside our trusted counselling, NHS, Armed Forces and community partners, Rob’s Watch can provide interim emotional wellbeing support to help individuals remain safe, supported and emotionally stable while they wait for their specialist appointment or treatment to begin.
We do not replace statutory or clinical services. Our role is to work alongside them, helping to bridge gaps, reduce isolation and ensure individuals and their families are not left to manage alone.
Support Available
Depending on individual circumstances, support may include:
• One-to-one emotional wellbeing support
• Online or face-to-face counselling
• Group therapy and peer support
• Support for family members and carers
• Warm referrals into NHS and specialist services
• Advocacy and practical guidance
• Access to STEPWAY’s wider wellbeing and welfare services
A warm referral means that we do not simply provide someone with a telephone number and expect them to manage the process alone. Where appropriate, we help guide them through the referral pathway and connect them safely with the most suitable service.
Who Can Access Rob’s Watch?
Rob’s Watch is available to anyone aged 12 or over within the Armed Forces community, including:
• Veterans
• Serving personnel
• Reservists
• Spouses, partners and family members
• Young people from Armed Forces families
• Carers
• Bereaved families
Making a Referral
Referrals can be made by individuals themselves, family members, GPs, NHS teams, social prescribers, Armed Forces charities, support organisations and other professionals.
Once a referral has been received, a member of the Rob’s Watch team will review the information and make contact within 24 working hours.
Online referral and further information: https://www.stepway.org/robs-watch/
