The Ripple Pond helps the adult loved ones of serving and retired members of HM Forces and who are suffering distress because of their loved one’s condition.
Support offered:
• Local peer-led support groups
• Peer ‘buddies’
• Video meetings (via Skype)
• ‘closed’ Facebook page (members only)
• WhatsApp group chats
• Social events and talks
• Signposting to other charities
Caring and campaigning for the serving and ex-Service community.
Grants and funding for temporary crisis.
Loans. Assistance finding financial help/ grants.
Short/ long term residential care.
Holiday/ respote homes.
Emotional support and care.
War grave tours.
To keep in touch with all those who served in the Royal Observer Corps, to help former ROC members to obtain assistance from the ROC Benevolent Fund or other organisations, to preserve and promote the history and heritage of the Royal Observer Corps and to support any re-establishment of the ROC volunteer organisation to serve the Country in an appropriate role.
Providing outstanding nursing and therapeutic care at two residential care homes for ex-Service personnel with physical disabilities and dementia.
High quality accommodation for long and short term care.
Seafarers UK is a charity that provides grants to other front line charities working right across the maritime sector. We support charities that help seafarers or ex-seafarers from the Royal Navy, Royal Marines, Merchant Navy or fishing fleets. We also give grants to maritime youth groups and charities that help seafarers’ families, including widows and children.
Seafarers UK supports mainly UK-based charities that provide help across a broad spectrum of welfare need including housing, debt, injury, relationship breakdown and family bereavement. Occasionally we provide grants to maritime charities from other Commonwealth countries.
The Trust provides funding assistance to challenging expeditions and adventurous activities involving members of the Volunteer Reserve Forces and Cadet Forces of the UK, in order to develop character and values such as teamwork, leadership, courage and resilience, supporting individual’s physical/mental health and wellbeing, as well as supporting retention and recruitment to cadet and reserve forces, plus wider benefits to our communities and society at large (eg increased academic attainment, reduced crime etc..).
Founded in 1992, the charity has raised over £3.5M to support over 40,000 individuals to participate in over 3,000 expeditions in the UK and abroad – from cadet Adventure Training and Duke of Edinburgh expeditions, to sailing, canoeing and hiking expeditions – to climbing Everest and crossing the Antarctic.
Applications that meet our charitable objectives are assessed by experienced Adventure Training and Expeditions experts, who understand the nature of challenge and adventure (which may vary depending on the participants). We support applications from all cadet and reserve forces, but grants are more generous to expeditions where there are a high number of people from disadvantaged socio-economic backgrounds, where the need is greatest, and the impact and social value is maximised.
Aiming to increase community cohesion and tackle social isolation by connecting people. Through the VC Gallery, we work to create meaningful engagement, combat and support poor mental health and social care amongst the Veteran and local communities.
We offer a positive support network, a creative space to help people re-connect through art, workshops, local events and opportunities within the area. We provide a diverse support network to empower and help develop a united, positive and safe environment. We provide weekly art sessions, outreach workshops within schools, memory cafes, retirement homes and for third sector organisations.
We offer a breakfast club once a week and help with housing issues, benefit problems and employment support.
We offer peer mentor help, guidance and expertise with all veteran affairs.
We have excellent referral pathways with national organisations and our local Authority, keeping a close connection with the individual we work with a holistic approach to achieve the best outcome at all times.
Our expertise is offering a vibrant, creative space where people can socialise and expressive themselves through art, that can be at our art workshops, or volunteering at memory cafes, schools and residential homes.
Our Vision:
To be there for those who have served in any of the UK Armed Forces (Veterans) for one day’s service or more, their families and dependents, who experience adverse issues and conditions, discrimination, or disadvantage during transition from military service, through resettlement, and in civilian life.
Our Mission Statement:
To help all serving members and veterans of the UK Armed Forces , their spouses, children, and dependents by working in partnership with others to assist in the provision of schemes, grants, and services for their resettlement, rehabilitation, retraining, employment , and welfare.
Our Values:
The Veterans Contact Point values its effective partnership working, demonstrating a non – judgemental diverse approach, challenging inequality and discrimination, by offering a professional, ethical, and accessible quality service to serving members and veterans of the UK Armed Forces, their families and dependents, empowering and aiding them to improve their lives and well-being within the community
The Veterans Contact Point (VCP) is a local military charity supporting veterans and their families in Warwickshire, Coventry & Solihull. The VCP started as a Veteran to Veteran run information, referral and peer support centre in 2011 to improve the access to support and information for serving and former members of the UK Armed Forces.
In February 2014 the VCP became a registered as military charity (Charity no: 1155953). It remains a veteran run organisation staffed totally by volunteers, including those who have served themselves, and who are committed to helping the local Armed Forces Community. The VCP offers an office base for partners and organisations who provide additional support, these include: SSAFA Warwickshire & Coventry; Coventry & Warwickshire NHS Partnership Trust – Ex-Armed Armed Forces Mental Health; Veterans UK; Citizens Advice Bureau; Warrior Programme; Coventry Solihull & Warwickshire AFCC; The Parachute Regimental Associations; Ubique Partnerships Limited and many more.
We ensure that every penny donated or raised is used in direct support of local Veterans and their families in the community. We provide information, advice and referrals to a wide range of specialist organisations and service charities. We also help veterans who have been in contact with the law through our Criminal Justice Partnership’s, providing a referral and information helpline service (telephone: 02476 348227).
We are open Monday to Friday between 10:00 and 16:00 hours. Referrals can be made by telephone, email or by dropping in at the VCP.
Objects:
The relief in need of former members of the Armed Services, their spouses, children and dependents or organisations supporting their needs in particular but not exclusively by:
(i) providing or assisting in the provision of schemes for their resettlement, rehabilitation, retraining and employment; and
(ii) providing or assisting in the provision of grants, items and services for their benefit
To provide a safe environment.
To provide a professional assessment of needs.
To provide a weekly job club & job preparation activities.
To provide training courses where appropriate, leading to a recognised qualification or accreditation.
To promote awareness of needs through presentations, partnership working, marketing and fund raising events.
To provide mentoring/peer support.
To promote and develop the use of the Armed Forces Centre and its resources to the wider community.
To support and promote, with others the Armed Forces Community Covenant.
Afghanistan support
In light of recent events in Afghanistan, please find information and support resources here