News

Aylesbury WW1 soldier’s family found after appeal

An original photograph of World War One soldier, Private Arthur John Nappin, is to be reunited with his family after an appeal from The Royal British Legion’s South East Midlands Team.

Based in Aylesbury, the team put a call out to the community to find Private Nappin’s lost family after his original war-time photograph was handed in to the high street Pop In Centre. Thanks to a widespread appeal, which appeared on social media, Carole Hickman, came forward after being informed by her cousin and extended family that Arthur Nappin may be a relation.

Carole said: “I was surprised to see on social media and in the paper that the Legion were actively seeking to reunite a war time photo with the subject’s family. My cousin and I delved a little deeper into our family history and we traced an Arthur Nappin back to our Grandfather, Henry William Nappin, who was from Oakley village in Aylesbury.

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Poppy Appeal 2017: The Royal British Legion introduces a modern take on ‘In Flanders Fields’ for 2017 Poppy Appeal

Lines of the renowned poem ‘In Flanders Fields’ appeared in iconic locations today – installed by The Royal British Legion to launch the 2017 Poppy Appeal and encourage the nation to rethink the meaning of the poppy and recognise it as a symbol of hope.

‘In Flanders Fields’ was written after poppies bloomed on the battle fields of the First World War, despite the death and destruction around them. It’s that life force growing in the most difficult of circumstances that connects the poppy with a message of hope. By re-creating John McCrae’s poem, in seven locations the Legion aims to bring ‘In Flanders Fields’ into modern-day consciousness, encouraging people to consider the meaning of the poppy as a symbol both of Remembrance and hope.

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Blind Veterans UK and Sussex Eye Hospital launch exhibition by vision-impaired artists to mark National Eye Health Week

To mark National Eye Health Week (18-24 September), sight loss charity Blind Veterans UK has partnered with Sussex Eye Hospital to launch an exhibition of artworks by blind and vision-impaired ex-Service men and women.

The exhibition at Sussex Eye Hospital features nine decorative mosaic panels which reflect scenes of Sussex life, such as Brighton pier and the South Downs. They were created in the art and craft studio of Blind Veterans UK’s rehabilitation centre in Brighton as part of a group project involving veterans from across the UK.

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OA Opens York Office

The OA opened its new office in York on Tuesday 15th August.

This will be the OA’s base for organising events and liaising with stakeholders in the North of England. The previous office was in Leeds, but has relocated because of the improved travel links and the fact that many formers officers live in and around York. The office will be based in the Innovation Centre next to the University of York, which reflects the OA’s commitment to develop new and cutting-edge ways of supporting officers.

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New Model of Care for local Armed Forces Community launched

The Defence Medical Welfare Service (DMWS) is delighted to announce that the new Armed Forces Navigator Pilot Project has officially been launched on the 17 July 2017.

The pilot is being run in partnership with Birmingham Community Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust (BCHCFT), the Tavistock Institute and DMWS, and has been funded by the Forces in Mind Trust with the aims to better understand and support the health and social care needs of the Armed Forces community. The project will identify gaps in availability and accessibility of required services and raise awareness with local commissioners, to ensure there is appropriate consideration and planning into the future.

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The Royal British Legion commemorates the Battle of Passchendaele

To commemorate the WWI Battle of Passchendaele (also known as the Third Battle of Ypres), the Royal British Legion has partnered with historian Dan Snow to create a series of unique and immersive virtual reality videos, from the experiences of those on the front line to nurses battling to treat the flood of casualties.

On Tuesday 25th July The Royal British Legion will be taking over the Household Cavalry Museum in Whitehall, alongside Dan Snow to launch the content.

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Plans unveiled for Broughton House Veterans Care Village

Plans have been unveiled for a £12.5m Veterans Care Village at Broughton House in Salford.

Broughton House is the only home for ex-servicemen and women in the north west and in 2016 celebrated its centenary.

Plans for the new village will be submitted to Salford City Council this month and are expected to be considered by the planning, building and regeneration committee in September.

If permission is granted, work on the ambitious scheme is due to start early next year. A public consultation exercise is currently underway.

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Military Charities join forces to launch new service for veterans

Veterans’ Gateway, a new service providing a first point of contact for veterans seeking support, launched across the UK last week. Veterans’ Gateway will improve access to welfare services and speed-up the time it takes for veterans to receive the support they deserve.

Developed in response to Lord Ashcroft’s Veterans’ Transition Review, Veterans’ Gateway is a £2 million service funded by the Ministry of Defence (MoD) from the Covenant Fund and will be delivered by a consortium comprising The Royal British Legion, Poppyscotland, Combat Stress, Connect Assist, the Ministry of Defence and SSAFA, the Armed Forces Charity.

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Forces in Mind Trust releases next Call to Mind Review in the UK Series: Findings from the Review of Veterans’ and their Families’ mental health needs in Northern Ireland

A new report outlining changes and challenges to mental health services for veterans in Northern Ireland, funded by the Forces in Mind Trust (FiMT), was released on 23 June 2017, and has identified that there is a need for greater support for veterans with mental and related health and social care problems from statutory services.

The review explores statutory mental health services for veterans, taking into account the sensitive issues within the context of the country’s complex history, current political landscape, and impact of equality legislation.

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