A Special group of Volunteers, recently formed to try and offer a much needed service of friendship, support and comfort.
Friendship, support and comfort
We hold two sessions per month (with ad hoc trips, meals out, education etc) and we are committed to supporting veterans and their families within the Kirklees rural community. We aim to provide social, services and sanctuary for military veterans. We provide indoor and outdoor projects, education with speakers on all manner of subjects from medical healthcare, (our local GPs were involved in setting these hubs up), history of the area, learning to do things, for example, cookery, wood whittling, wreath making, Jesmonite models. Our aim is to integrate some of our more vulnerable veterans back into society, with trips out, with doing some woodwork for a local school, art work. We have found that some of our veterans suffering with combat related PTSD are enjoying being with like-minded veterans and the more vulnerable are being looked after and are speaking freely with others about their trauma which is helping them tremendously. We have done questionnaires which shows we have got this right, with one veteran saying “we had saved his life”.
We are fully supported by our local GPs and if we have a veteran we are worried about we can call that persons GP. (The GPs will then contact that veteran for a medicines review so that they can speak to the veteran and ascertain whether or not they need help). All our Trustees have had first aid training, MH training and some counselling (although we do not counsel our veterans).
We have regular talks from GPs, OTs, Physiotherapists, Advanced Nurse Practitioners and the aim is to ensure that our veterans do not miss out on their medical checks as the hubs were set up to address health inequalities in the rural areas of Huddersfield and veterans were seen to be the ones missing out.
We believe that whilst doing crafts etc our veterans are bonding with their colleagues and this is the time when they all get to speak about their ‘war experiences’. There is lots of banter and laughs.
We have veterans who are physically disabled as well as those with mental health problems, CPTSD, anxiety, depression, loneliness and some who are just there for the banter, talks and crafting sessions. Veterans are making new friends and with that comes the “If you need someone to go with you, Ill go with you” attitude, offering lifts and offering help with things that the more disabled veterans cannot do.
We liaise with the RBL, SSAFA if any of our veterans need help and support. We also liaise with the local council re: housing and in the past have used H4H for various activities.
The local social prescribers at our GP practices refer into us as do Walking with the Wounded and H4H.
Sharks Community Trust is the charitable arm of Sale Sharks, the North West’s only Premiership Rugby club. The charity was established in 2012 to help use rugby and sport for the wider community benefit, drawing on the core values of rugby, which are teamwork, respect, enjoyment, discipline and sportsmanship, to deliver a range of community engagement programmes.
The use of rugby and sport has been used for many years to engage young people, and it is this interest that Sharks Community Trust seeks to draw upon. This includes delivering numeracy programmes in the classroom, linking sport with encouraging healthy eating and a healthy lifestyle, and delivering education particularly to young people who are not in employment, education or training (NEET). The Trust also has a comprehensive disability and inclusion programme, ‘In The Pack’ delivering a mixture of multi-sports and wheelchair sports to people with special and additional needs along with a successful ex-service personnel programme ‘Sharks Forces’ that supports veterans and their families with the transition from service to civilian with housing, employment and social and physical activity support.
We offer services and activities to improve the physical health, mental health and employability skills of ex-service personnel and their families. We give them a visibility within their community delivering the project at community venues. Delivering drop-in social hubs to develop and maintain relationships with individuals who are sceptical and nervous at engaging with civilian society. Enhancing personal and social skills such as communication skills and confidence along with increasing employability skills and their well-being. We also work with the veteran’s family, introducing an intergenerational approach. We use our relationship with community rugby clubs across the North West to create a social hub for the whole community. We use gym and sport facilities based within clubs and use the clubhouse to host themed workshops. We also work closely with rugby clubs to identify volunteering opportunities as part of the programme. We create and offer a wide range of sporting activities for Veterans who are blind or visually impaired, there is a huge gap in the local offering from other key stakeholders in regards to physical activities suitable for Veterans with additional needs.
Established in 1915 to support servicemen who were blinded in WWI, today we help blind and partially sighted veterans no matter how or when they lost their sight – including those who did national service – to adapt to life with a visual impairment.
Our offer is as diverse as those we support. We know that everyone faces different challenges and that everyone’s goals are individual. That’s why our team work with everyone in the way which is right for them.
We give support that ranges from practical advice and identifying solutions that help you stay as independent as possible, to vital emotional support and opportunities to meet others facing sight loss.
Sight Scotland Veterans can also provide specialist equipment free of charge to aid independence in day-to-day tasks – from talking watches, cooking aids and electronic magnifiers, to digital technology such as smartphones or tablets with specialist software for people with sight loss.
The charity’s expert rehabilitation team offer one-to-one assessments and tailored training for specialist equipment and cane and mobility training.
Sight Scotland Veterans also runs two activity hubs for veterans with sight loss: the Linburn Centre in Wilkieston, West Lothian, and the Hawkhead Centre in Paisley, Renfrewshire.
Soldiers League uses Rugby League as a vehicle to support SP and Veterans who have suffered injuries (physical or mental).
This is through support to attend Rugby League events or through participation in our Wheelchair Rugby League side.
We have strong links into the Rugby League community, through the national governing body (RFL), a network of retired professional players, a network of serving and retired service personnel, and through the England Wheelchair RL and wheelchair Super League.
As 10% of SP come from traditional rugby league areas, this enables us to facilitate support through a non-military route to those in need.
Association of Service personnel who took part in the Falklands campaign.
Assistance through caseworking charity.
Reunions and social events.
Members forum and online communication.
To relieve members or their dependants who are in need by virtue of financial hardship, injury or sickness.
Welfare and social activities.
Our Association is welfare-focused, providing our members, both former and serving, with a discreet and trusted network of support for themselves and their immediate families.
Welfare and social activities.
To promote and improve mental health awareness and suicide reduction among veterans and family members of the British armed forces living in England and Wales, for the public benefit by preventing them from becoming socially excluded. relieving the dynamic needs with the provision of support services, events, activities, and courses, which promote a sense of belonging and purpose in civilian life.
STEPWAY deliver three main support services.
· 7-step civilian skills program – A course built round mental health awareness, survival kit for civilian life, health body health mind, leading to employment and educational opportunities.
· Banter and Brew sessions – A drop-in service for veterans and family members to have a free breakfast, join in with activities like, art sessions, walk and talk, and table tennis. guest speakers monthly. Working with a variety of organisations and charities for warm referrals.
· The Community Projects – A safe place for the veteran and wider community to visit and take part in activities including: How to grow your own produce at home, Beekeeping, Mushroom farm, Bushcraft and Archery.
These three services are delivered throughout Worcestershire Gloucestershire and the West Midlands. Replicated services for the Prison in-reach Programme at HMP Oakwood and HMP Hewell and supporting the families on the outside.
Assist the most seriously wounded with rehabilitation and social reintegration.
STUBS regularly hosts in-patients from DMRC Headley Court at Sports events such as Premiership Rugby matches at The Stoop, Twickenham.
Afghanistan support
In light of recent events in Afghanistan, please find information and support resources here