Wirral Poppy Factory pilot praised

A report recently praised a ground-breaking programme in Wirral that has given GPs and mental health teams the opportunity to prescribe career coaching for ex-Forces patients.

The specialist service is delivered by employment consultants embedded within CWP in partnership with The Poppy Factory - a national charity that supports veterans across the UK. The team is based at the Stein Centre in Wirral and aims to support veterans with physical and mental health conditions to find work.

CWP chief executive, Tim Welch, said:

“The experience of NHS workers is very different to those who have served in the Armed Forces. Having an employment consultant from The Poppy Factory within one of our adult mental health teams in Wirral has created a deeper understanding of the veteran experience and has been an invaluable opportunity to share learning more widely across CWP.”

As a Veteran Aware Trust, the programme forms a part of CWP’s commitment to improve the lives of everyone in our communities. Employment is vital to people’s feeling of social inclusion.

To learn more about being CWP being Veteran Aware please visit www.cwp.nhs.uk

Deirdre Mills, chief executive of The Poppy Factory, said:

“There has been positive feedback from the clinicians, who recognise the clear benefits and impact of our partnership. Best of all, there has been very positive feedback from the veterans themselves.”