On May 16, together with Lord Smith of Kelvin KT CH (on behalf or Baroness Emerton DBE DL), the Defence Medical Welfare Service (DMWS) hosted a reception in the House of Lords to update key peers from Defence, Health and Policing about the organisation. In the Role of Royal Patron of DMWS Her Royal Highness, The Countess of Wessex, GCVO attended as a key advocate of the Charity’s work.
Read moreAccording to Sir James Lawrence Munby, President of the Family Division of the High Court of England and Wales the practice of separating elderly couples against their wishes when one or both move to care homes must end (The Times, 10 May 2017). The Defence Medical Welfare Service has been providing welfare to the Armed Forces community when they are on a medical care pathway since 1943 and has recently launched several projects to support the Aged Veteran community. Our Welfare Officers are acutely aware of the challenges faced by aged veterans and are well place to offer tailored support.
Read moreAs well as providing supported housing, Stoll accesses specialist services to help vulnerable Veterans improve their physical and mental health. We are delighted to announce a new partnership with Headspace, an award-winning mindfulness and meditation app.
The Headspace app has been downloaded by more than 10 million people and is used by people in all walks of life to de-stress and assist with specific issues such as insomnia, self-confidence, focus, etc.
Read moreLeading veterans’ mental health and other experts gathered today (Tuesday 16th May) at Demobbed: the psychological reality of veteran transition in the UK conference at the Wolfson Institute, Queen Mary University of London, funded by the Forces in Mind Trust (FiMT)
The conference explored mental illness in the context of transition from the UK armed forces. It considered the patterns of illness and recovery, and how public understanding may be focused on the wrong issues.
Read moreNew programme launched by Sale Sharks Community Trust and funded by the Royal British Legion helps veterans find employment, tackle social isolation and improve their physical and mental wellbeing
Marines drop in to deliver the match ball ahead of Sharks final game of the season
A stunning pre-match display from a team of Royal Marines marked the launch of a new Sale Sharks community programme that uses rugby to help military veterans across the North West get back into work.
Read moreSOLDIERS wounded on active military service and supported by horticultural therapy charity HighGround will reap what they sow next month when they help to create a healing eco therapy garden at RHS Chelsea Flower Show for Miracle Gro.
In what is thought to be the first project of its kind at the world’s most famous flower show, a team of current and former patients, volunteers and staff from Armed Forces charity HighGround will spend three days creating Miracle Gro’s ‘Come to your Senses’ garden in the Great Pavilion.
Read moreHosted by Combat Stress, the UK’s leading mental health charity for veterans, this year’s Military Mind business symposium, sponsored by Thales focused on the mental health treatment and support available to veterans in employment.
The event, held on 9 May to coincide with Mental Health Awareness Week, was attended by 65 organisations interested in learning about the support they can offer veterans and the benefits employing them can bring.
Read moreResearch from Combat Stress, the UK’s leading mental health charity for former servicemen and women, has found that veterans are more likely to be admitted to hospital with physical health problems prior to being diagnosed with an alcohol issue. With pride deterring former servicemen and women from seeking help for alcohol misuse, it’s not until they reach their sixties that they receive treatment. Combat Stress is now calling for more to be done to help veterans recognise the underlying reasons behind drinking problems and to seek help earlier.
Read more
A year ago The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry got together with eight Charity Partners and three Founding Partners (including the Contact group) to launch the Heads Together campaign. With the Olympic Stadium in the background they said that ‘when we get our Heads Together we can achieve great things’ and set out the shared ambition to change the conversation on mental health.
Read more
Norman gives us an insight into his mental health journey. The relaunched Contact website has been designed to create a space where those seeking assistance are able to quickly access, easily navigate, and simply find the support they need.
Read more
Afghanistan support
In light of recent events in Afghanistan, please find information and support resources here
