From sailing to Service dogs - over £850,000 awarded to improve the quality of life for Veterans negatively impacted by their Service

From sailing to service dogs: over £850,000 awarded to improve the quality of life for veterans negatively impacted by their service

Breaking down barriers; building bridges; addressing trauma. The Armed Forces Covenant Trust’s (the Trust) Fulfilling Futures programme has supported six outstanding projects totalling more than £850,000 to improve the lives of veterans negatively impacted by their service.

Support to lead fulfilling lives

Each project represents new, tailored work to support groups of veterans including those with physical injuries, those who have experienced military sexual trauma, those living with PTSD and other complex mental health issues, LGBT+ veterans and women veterans. Though each tackles a different cohort, each aims to mitigate the effects of the barriers preventing them from having a fulfilling life after service.

Reducing isolation and building connections

Working UK-wide, British Limbless Ex-Service Men's Association (BLESMA) will use their award of £300,000 to deliver a new, three-year therapeutic wellness programme supporting limbless and injured veterans. They’ll offer activities and coaching/mentoring opportunities aimed at breaking down barriers and helping individuals progress positively through their recovery.

With a focus LGBT+ veterans, families and carers, and other minority groups in the East of England, The Bridge for Heroes will use their award of £73,129 to improve awareness, provide targeted services, and build connections with existing veteran organisations. They will address specific needs to reduce isolation and ensure long-term integration of support within veteran services.

Helen Taylor MBE, CEO at The Bridge for Heroes, said: “We are delighted to receive this grant from the Fulfilling Futures programme. It will enable us to build upon our valued partnership with Fighting with Pride, providing enhanced support to LGBT+ veterans and other minority groups across the East of England over the next 18 months.”

Supporting women Veterans

Fife: SHOUT - a free and confidential text support service for young people who are feeling stressed or worried

Shout’s trained volunteers are available around the clock to listen and support anyone who is suicidal, depressed, anxious or overwhelmed. The service is anonymous and does not show up on phone bills.

We have partnered with Shout to offer support to young people who live in Fife. To start a conversation, text “FIFE” to 85258.

If your life is at imminent risk, call the emergency services on 999.
What happens when you text “FIFE” to 85258?

To start a conversation, text the word “FIFE” to 85258.

If you’re feeling anxious, lonely, overwhelmed, suicidal or not quite yourself, Shout’s volunteers are here for you 24/7. 

Corsham: 'The Haven' support group for parents of children with autism

 

Please click images to enlarge

Further support can be found at the Wiltshire Autism Hub

Information provided by Colerne HIVE

Swindon: 'City of Sanctuary' charity fighting isolation

 

Swindon City of Sanctuary seek to build a culture of welcome, inclusion and support for everyone in Swindon, with a focus on people who are seeking sanctuary from war and persecution.

For families new to Swindon with pre-school children, come and join the team from Swindon City of Sanctuary to chat, sing songs and rhymes, play games, craft, and share stories. No need to book, just drop in!

Information provided by Lyneham HIVE

Bath: Walking trails in and around Bath

Please click here to read this guide online

Information provided by Colerne & Lyneham HIVEs

Hereford: Love Exploring App

 

Looking for free & exciting ways to Explore our City?

Download the ‘Love Exploring’ app to explore guided trails and games in Hereford!

Love Exploring offers users a new, accessible way to find routes to Hereford’s numerous art pieces, historic plaques, places of interest, and much more.

You can find the app in the Google Play Store or the Iphone App Store.
Please ensure you explore responsibly, following social distancing guidelines at all times.

For further information please click here

Weeton, Preston, Chester: Recruit For Spouses Foreign & Commonwealth Programme to support NUKN in the North West

RFS has been able to obtain some funding to support the NUKN Service Community in the North West and Chester.

• Foreign & Commonwealth Programme

Are you a member of the Foreign & Commonwealth community with a qualification from your home country that you need transferring to its UK equivalent? Then we have some very exciting news to share with you!

We are thrilled to announce the launch of the RFS Foreign and Commonwealth Programme! After a year of hard work and dedication from our incredible team, this innovative programme is designed to break down financial barriers for Foreign and Commonwealth spouses/partners, helping them transfer qualifications to UK equivalents. This will enable easier access to employment, study, or to gain professional registration.

Our Career Academy will cover the costs of obtaining a Statement of Comparability and facilitate the application process, working with trusted service providers to ensure qualifications meet UK standards.

Eligibility:

- Partner of a Foreign or Commonwealth national serving in HM Forces (Royal Navy, British Army, or Royal Air Force)
- Over 18 years of age
- Partners include spouses, civil partners, fiancés(e), or individuals living with serving personnel in a relationship akin to marriage/civil partnership for at least two years.

Application Requirements:

- Partner’s service number
- Date of entry to the UK
- Visa status (if applicable)

To apply for this support and service, sign up to our portal and click 'programmes' on the upper left-hand side here - https://portal.recruitforspouses.co.uk/users/sign_in

• Coaching & Mentoring

Our FREE coaching and mentoring programme is open to the entire military community—because everyone deserves the chance to thrive. Whether you’re a spouse, partner, serving personnel, service leaver, veteran, or military child aged 18+, this programme is designed to help you take charge of your personal and professional journey. With a pool of over 80 expert coaches and mentors from leading industry sectors, we provide tailored support to help you unlock your full potential!

Sign up today by registering on our portal and selecting 'programmes' in the upper left-hand corner - https://portal.recruitforspouses.co.uk/users/sign_in

Information provided by Preston & Weeton HIVE

Hampshire: Victim Support

Click HERE  for more information

Information provided by South East HIVE Hub

Rushmoor: How are you Today Rushmoor Healthy living

Click image for more information.

Information provided by South East HIVE Hub.

Elgin: Moray Wellbeing Hub Weekly drop-in every Friday

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Join us at our drop-in space for anyone looking for support with their wellbeing FRIDAY 21st February from 12 noon until 2pm at Foggies Bar in Elgin.

No need to book, just drop by and a Champion from Moray Wellbeing Hub will be there for support. We can look at specific things together or just listen to you, whatever feels right in that moment.

There will be free tea and coffee and a cosy space to connect with another human!

Information provided by Leuchars HIVE