The Forces Recruiting Armed Forces Charity Directory 2021 Edition

THE ARMED FORCES CHARITY DIRECTORY 2021

Once a Royal Marine. Always a Royal Marine.

WWW.RMA-TRMC.ORG

RMA – The Royal Marines Charity is a charity registered in England and Wales 1134205 and Scotland SC048185 and is a charitable company limited by guarantee 07142012 registered with Companies House.

The Armed Forces Charity Directory Forces Recruiting is a well-established and trusted website that assists the Armed Forces community with various opportunities and latest forces news. The Forces Recruiting website, which has been active for over 10 years attracts on average 8,500 - 11,500 unique viewers each month.

The Armed Forces Charity Directory is published annually with hard copies being sent to companies that have signed the Armed Forces Covenant and/or achieved a MOD Employer Recognition Scheme Gold or Silver award.

There’s so much more to SSAFA

We are SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity. We have been supporting the Armed Forces family for more than 135 years and not just during times of conflict. We help those currently serving, veterans and their families to retain their independence and dignity. Our services are diverse, and so are the people we help. With your help, whether practical, emotional or financial, we can get them the support they need.

S UPPORT US N OW

ssafa.org.uk/more

Regulars | Reserves | Veterans | Families

Registered as a charity in England and Wales Number 210760 in Scotland Number SC038056 and in Republic of Ireland Number 20202001. Established 1885.

Advertise your charity with a Full Page advert and receive a Double Page Spread of editorial, this will enable you to highlight the work that your charity undertakes and showcase the people within the armed forces community that you support. This is a great way to not only raise awareness, but also highlight your need for continued support and funding. The forces friendly companies that receive this directory in hard copy and an emailed PDF version, will be able to select a charity that they may pledge to support as part of their commitment to the Armed Forces covenant.

CONTENTS

The Ministry of Defence’s Career Transition Partnership (CTP) connects a wide range of experienced, trained and skilled exservice people with employers.

The Office for Veterans’ Affairs’ aim is to drive cross-government implementation of the Strategy for our Veterans, and it has been great to see other departments join us in backing our veterans.

THE OFFICE FOR VETERANS AFFAIRS

The Naval Families Federation was set up at the request of the Government in order to allow the families of the Naval Service to have their voices heard.

NAVAL FAMILIES FEDERATION

How you showed your support, after an unprecedented year.

ARMED FORCES DAY 2021

The Armed Forces charity directory

4

CAREER TRANSITION PARTNERSHIP

12 26 42 50

Welcome to the very first issue of the Armed Forces Charity Directory…

T

he reason for this publication is partly due to the Covid pandemic that has affected the entire planet in some way or another.

Whether it has resulted in personal illness, or the tragic loss of life of family members and/or friends, created financial strains and difficulties, or caused social and mental health issues to millions and potentially even billions of individuals.

However, It appears that for many of the developed countries, and thanks to the vaccination roll outs, we are finally starting to get back to some sense of pre Covid normality again.

That said it will take years for many organisations and charities to be able to offer their usual services and support to the people who need them the most.

Although there are thousands of great charities helping numerous causes, we at Forces Recruiting Ltd and Easy Resettlement Magazine have seen first-hand the devastating affect that this pandemic has

Over these pages, you will find contact details of all the Forces Charities.

FORCES CHARITY INDEX

58

"

The Armed Forces charity directory

had on individuals (veterans) and armed forces charities.

These directories are being sent to companies like yourselves that have signed the armed forces covenant and possibly even received the MOD’s Employer Recognition Scheme Bronze, Silver and Gold award status. Meaning we recognise you as already being a forces friendly company, and part of the covenant is showing your support to the armed forces community, so what better way to show that support than having an armed forces charity as your charity partner, or by simply helping raise much needed funds through dress down days at work, or various other fund-raising events that can help.

Within this directory you will be able to see various articles and editorials from some well-known armed forces charities, as well as some equally worthy, but lesserknown charities, that also need your support to be able to operate and assist those they were set up to help.

We know many companies receiving these directories already have forces liaison officers and work alongside their chosen charities, for that we thank you as I am sure the charities do as well. However, if you have received this directory and see the value in helping some amazing forces charities, then please be sure to bring this publication to the attention of those in your company/organisation that may be able to assist in any way you see fit.

From all of the team at the Armed Forces Charity Directory we thank you and hope you find this informative as well as useful.

LifeWorks has changed my life, I wish I had done it years ago. I would do anything to prove its worth to other veterans

Lifeworks Page 16

WELCOME "

5

ARMED FORCES CHARITY DIRECTORY ABF THE SOLDIERS’ CHARITY

6

ALABARÉ

Telephone: 0207 901 8900 Email: supportercare@soldierscharity.org Website: www.soldierscharity.org Postcode: SW1W 9RB Location: London ABF The Soldiers’ Charity is the national charity of the british army, providing a lifetime of support to soldiers, veterans and their families when they are in need.

Telephone: 01722 322 882 Email: enquiries@alabare.co.uk Website: www.alabare.co.uk Postcode: SP2 7UD Location: Salisbury We are a charity supporting vulnerable, homeless and marginalised people. we help them transform their lives, providing accommodation and helping them gain the skills, confidence and opportunities to live a fulfilled life.

ARMED FORCES CHRISTIAN UNION

BROUGHTON HOUSE – VETERAN CARE VILLAGE

Telephone: 01793 783123 Email: office@afcu.org.uk Website: www.afcu.org.uk Postcode: SN6 8TZ Location: Swindon The Armed Forces' Christian Union (AFCU), is an interdenominational, tri-service fellowship of christians who wish to grow in their faith and share it with those with whom they serve. it seeks to encourage and build up christians in the Armed Forces in their faith and to support evangelism and does this by producing literature, and providing prayer support.

Telephone: 0161 7402737 Email: info@broughtonhouse.com Website: www.broughtonhouse.com Postcode: M7 4JD Location: Salford Established in 1916 to provide treatment to the thousands of soldiers and sailors returning from WW1, Broughton House has since evolved into a dedicated charity and care home for veterans. Living their remaining years amongst friends and a dedicated team committed to caring all those who served us.

ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS

ANDY REID STANDING TALL FOUNDATION

Telephone: 0800 9177 650 Email: help@aamail.org Website: www.alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk AA is concerned solely with the personal recovery and continued sobriety of individual alcoholics who turn to the fellowship for help.

Alcoholics Anonymous does not engage in the fields of alcoholism research, medical or psychiatric treatment, education, or advocacy in any form.

Telephone: 07882540998 Email: john@standingtallfoundation.org.uk Website: www.standingtall.co.uk The Standing Tall Foundation aims to support veterans and disadvantaged young people.

It will achieve this objective by drawing on the ‘lived experience’ of William Andrew Reid MBE and delivering fully funded programmes, designed to improve, enhance and help individuals across a broad spectrum of needs.

BUILDFORCE

BUILDING HEROES FOUNDATION

Telephone: 07815 755285 Email: info@buildforce.org.uk Website: www.buildforce.org.uk Postcode: NW1 3BF Location: London BuildForce is a Community Interest Company, set up and run by a collection of construction companies. We are dedicated to improving skills and diversity in construction by recruiting from the incredible talent of our service leavers and veterans.

Telephone: 01798 874521 Email: info@buildingheroes.org.uk Website: www.buildingheroes.org.uk Postcode: RH11 7XL Location: Crawley Building Heroes provides skills training to Military Veterans and support into employment in the building trades. Our aim is to tackle unemployment amongst those who have kept us safe by offering them a seamless transition to a new career in construction.

The Armed Forces charity directory

COMBAT STRESS

F4H

HAIG HOUSING

HELP FOR HEROES

Telephone: 0800 138 1619 Email: helpline@combatstress.org.uk Website: www.combatstress.org.uk We are Combat Stress, the UK’s leading charity for veterans’ mental health. for over a century, we’ve helped former servicemen and women with mental health problems such as post-traumatic stress disorder (ptsd), anxiety and depression.

Telephone: 07702 596 226 Email: k.hartley@f4h.org.uk Website: www.f4h.org.uk Postcode: BH20 6JB Location: Bovington We strive to develop the ability of serving and retired members of the armed forces of all ranks and status – and their spouses/partners – to manage the dramatic change in cultures when resuming civilian life in such a way that they are better able to identify, and help meet, their needs and to participate fully in society.

Telephone: 020 8685 5777 Email: enquiries@haighousing.org.uk Website: www.haighousing.org.uk Postcode: SM4 5NS Location: Morden The object of Haig Housing is to provide housing assistance to ex-service people and/or their dependants. currently this object is achieved by letting general needs homes at affordable rents to the ex-service community, and providing tailored housing solutions to suit the individual.

Telephone: 0300 303 9888 Email: getsupport@helpforheroes.org.uk Website: www.helpforheroes.org.uk Postcode: SP5 3RB Location: Salisbury Help for Heroes was founded by Bryn and Emma Parry OBE to provide lifetime support to those wounded in the service of their country. no matter when someone served, we believe that those prepared to put their lives second, deserve a second chance at life.

HIGHGROUND

LIFEWORKS

MISSION MOTORSPORT

Telephone: 07951 495272 Email: anna@highground-uk.org Website: www.highground-uk.org Postcode: SW1P 2DX Location: London Our vision is to be the leading organisation for the provision of land-based opportunities for all exmilitary personnel and reservists.

Telephone: 0800 319 6844 Email: lifeworks@rbli.co.uk Website: www.wearelifeworks.org.uk Postcode: ME20 7NL Location: Aylesford Lifeworks Is a support service (at zero cost to the participant) to help veterans looking to either move into sustainable employment, training or education. It is available to veterans, regardless of when, where or how long they served. Courses are funded by organisations keen to support veterans

Telephone: 0333 033 8338 Email: lifeworks@rbli.co.uk Website: www.missionmotorsport.org Postcode: OX12 9TF Location: Wantage

The Armed Forces charity directory

NAVAL CHILDRENS CHARITY Telephone: 023 9263 9534 Email: caseworkers@ navalchildrenscharity.org.uk Website: www.navalchildrenscharity.org.uk Postcode: PO2 8PE Location: Portsmouth The naval children’s charity has been helping naval children since 1825, for nearly 200 years. if you serve or have served in the naval service (royal navy, royal marines, qarnns, wrns, reserves or royal fleet auxiliary) and you have a child/ children up to and including the age of 25 we may be able to help you.

7

8

RAF BENEVOLENT FUND

RFEA

RUGBY FOR HEROES

Telephone: 0300 102 1919 Email: mail@rafbf.org.uk Website: www.rafbf.org The RAF Benevolent Fund is the RAF's leading welfare charity with a proud tradition of looking after its own. we are there for all serving and former members of the raf as well as their partners and dependent children.

Telephone: 0121 262 3058 Email: info@rfea.org.uk Website: www.rfea.org.uk Postcode: B4 7LR Location: Birmingham RFEA is one of the oldest military charities. Founded in 1885 and operating across the UK, supporting Service Leavers and Veterans into civilian employment for over 130 years. Our original name was The National Association for Employment of Reserve and Discharged Soldiers.

Telephone: 01452 308038 Email: info@rugbyforheroes.org.uk Website: www.rugbyforheroes.org.uk Postcode: GL1 4JE Location: Gloucester Rugby for Heroes works with the rugby community to raise funds and awareness for military personnel who are making the transition to civilian life. We are committed to providing financial and personal support, to help individuals overcome the many challenges that this transition presents.

THE ROYAL BRITISH LEGION

THE ROYAL MARINES CHARITY

VETERANS GATEWAY

Telephone: 0808 802 8080 Email: info@britishlegion.org.uk Website: www.britishlegion.org.uk Postcode: Location: The Royal British Legion is at the heart of a national network that supports our Armed Forces community. We are the country’s largest Armed Forces Charity, with 235,000 members, 110,000 volunteers and a network of partners and charities.

Telephone: 023 9298 1920 Email: enquiries@rma-trmc.org Website: www.rma-trmc.org Postcode: EX8 5AR Location: Exmouth RMA-The Royal Marines Charity celebrates its 75th anniversary in 2021, marking the foundation of one of its predecessor organisations, the Royal Marines Association (RMA), in 1946.

Telephone: 08‍08 80‍2 12‍12 Email: cguy@britishlegion.org.uk Postcode: CF15 5DT Location: Cardiff Website: www.veteransgateway.org.uk Veterans’ Gateway is made up of a consortium of organisations and Armed Forces charities, including The Royal British Legion, SSAFA – the Armed Forces charity, Poppyscotland, Combat Stress and Connect Assist.

THE NOT FORGOTTEN ASSOCIATION Telephone: 0207 730 2400 Email: info@thenotforgotten.org Website: www.thenotforgotten.org Postcode: SW1W 0DH Location: London Our objective is to act generally for the benefit of service and exservice personnel with disabilities or who are wounded, including the organisation or provision of items or facilities for leisure and recreational activities, travel, holidays and outings.

WALKING WITH THE WOUNDED Telephone: 01263 863 900 Email: info@wwtw.org.uk Website: www.walkingwiththewounded. org.uk Postcode: NR24 2ED Location: Norfolk Established in 2010, walking with the wounded, a military charity for ex-military in the uk, supports a pathway for disadvantaged veterans to re-integrate back into society and sustain their independence. at the heart of this journey is employment.

The Armed Forces charity directory

The Armed Forces Charity Directory is proudly sponsored by SSAFA SSAFA, the Armed Forces Charity, has been providing lifelong support to our forces and their families since 1885. last year our teams of volunteers and employees helped more than 85,000 people in need, from second world war veterans to those who have served in more recent conflicts or are still currently serving, and their families.

SSAFA understands that behind every uniform is a person. for support, call our free and confidential forcesline: 0800 260 6767.

Telephone: 020 7463 9200 Email: supporter@ssafa.org.uk Website: www.ssafa.org.uk

The Armed Forces charity directory

9

WHO IS PART OF VETERANS’ GATEWAY? Veterans’ Gateway is made up of a consortium of organisations and Armed Forces charities, including The Royal British Legion, SSAFA – the Armed Forces charity, Poppyscotland, Combat Stress and Connect Assist.

Our connection with additional key referral partners and information organisations – both within and outside the Armed Forces sector – means we can get you to the right organisation who can help.

Funded by The Armed Forces Covenant, this is the first time a group of this kind has come together formally to deliver a service to help the Armed Forces community.

HOW ALABARÉ HELPED JOHN GET BACK ON HIS FEET

We put veterans and their families in touch with the organisations best placed to help with the information, advice and support they need, from healthcare and housing to employability, finances, personal relationships and more.

GET IN TOUCH You can speak to one of our team by phone or email. Our number is Freephone in the UK. From overseas we suggest you select the Live Chat option to avoid any costs.

Our team is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to put you in touch with the help you need, or direct you to the information you are looking for.

10

T

here is a huge network of organisations supporting the Armed Forces community, so finding the right one for your needs can be tricky.

We make it quick and easy by being your first point of contact for whatever support you need, whether you are based in the UK or abroad.

Many of our team are veterans themselves so they understand the issues that people face after leaving the Armed Forces.

They work with people on a oneto-one basis, connecting them with the right support as soon as possible.

After serving in the Royal Electrical Mechanical Engineers, John moved to America where he was an investor in a successful company.

John always invested his annual bonus back in to the business.

However there was a tragic turn of events, as the CEO of the company and John’s good friend died.

Following the death of the CEO, the board of directors assumed control of the business and things took a dramatic turn for the worse.

The financial situation quickly deteriorated until the debts began to mount and the company was ultimately forced to fold.

John soon found himself unable to pay his rent. As the effects began

to cause a strain on the relationship between John and his wife, it led them to separate with John deciding to move back to the UK. As John only received a modest income from his salary, he found it difficult to secure any affordable housing and ended up living in a caravan. This was not a longterm solution given it was cold, damp and was infested with rats.

John’s outlook was looking bleak but it was as he was reaching this low ebb that an outreach worker referred him to one of our partners, Alabaré.

When he received the news that Alabaré would be able to provide him with accommodation, John cried tears of delight. He now has somewhere warm and safe to live and can begin to get back on his feet.

The Armed Forces charity directory

HOW THE ROYAL BRITISH LEGION HELPED VETERAN GET REVOLUTIONARY TINNITUS TREATMENT Former Royal Marine Commando Harris Tatakis talks about receiving revolutionary treatment for tinnitus through The Royal British Legion’s Veterans’ Hearing Fund.

Harris was on tour in Afghanistan when his Land Rover drove over an Improvised Explosive Device (IED). The blast shattered his left leg, shin and ankle, broke his right foot, ruptured both his eardrums, and caused brain damage.

His leg would heal over time, but the damage to his ear drums resulted in tinnitus – a condition where people affected hear a ringing, hissing or whistling sound in one or both of their ears or head not linked to any external source.

“The blast ruptured both ear drums,” says Harris, “and the audio processing part of my frontal lobe was damaged in the blast as well.

“Having both a head injury and a physical injury to both ears is so complicated because if it’s just hearing loss it’s quite easy to rectify, but when you’ve got an audio-processing injury as well it’s been hard. It’s physically draining and tiring. I spent two years having three or four appointments a week.

“With hearing loss you can use hearing aids, but with tinnitus there is no cure and that’s the biggest frustration. I got it to a level where I could live with it, but it never went away. Then after a medication mix-up last year after a knee operation I had a bad reaction and my tinnitus just went through the roof.

“For about a year it really was ruining my life. I couldn’t get out, I couldn’t tolerate people around me and I was desperate. I knew what was available on the NHS and I had tried it all before.

“Tinnitus is like having a dentist drill constantly in your ear. Just imagine walking around with that. You’re trying to work, trying to listen to people and all you can hear is a high-pitched whine, constantly – and that’s just during the day. Now try sleeping with it at night – you can’t.

“Obviously then your sleep gets affected which means you start off the next day badly. You can’t relax because there is a constant high pitch whine there. It’s so intense that it’s actually physically painful as well.

“You can never have peace and quiet again. You are always on edge. It’s exhausting and mentally tiring.

“People can’t see it so they don’t understand why you’re in pain or why you can’t tolerate people speaking to you, and that’s the biggest frustration.”

THE VETERANS HEARING FUND “I didn’t know about the Veterans’ Hearing Fund,” says Harris. “If I’m honest I didn’t know a lot about what it could offer until I discovered that The Royal British Legion funded hearing treatment.

It’s fair to say that the treatment – and indeed the Legion – has given my life back to me.”

In 2017 Harris was the first veteran in the UK to be treated through with the revolutionary ‘Levo’ treatment. This uses iPod technology to administer treatment while he sleeps. The Legion funded the treatment through the Veterans’ Hearing Fund (VHF), which is part of the Veterans Medical Fund.

The VMF were set up in 2015 in response to research published by the Legion that showed working age veterans are 3.5 times more likely to suffer from hearing loss than the general population, and are funded

Harris is Helmand, a few weeks before he was injured.

HOW STOLL HELPED JOSH FIND A NEW HOME Josh spent six years serving in the Army with the Royal Engineers. He joined in 2011 at the age of 20 and spent time on tour in Canada, Germany, Cyprus and Northern Ireland.

“I came from a town where there weren’t many opportunities and I already had a background in construction and plumbing, so the Royal Engineers was a great fit for me.

“I represented the Army in Karate and got a bronze medal.

There were so many opportunities available and I built up my practical skills in the Engineers too. I loved my time there and I’m very proud to be a Sapper, I couldn’t have asked for a better bunch of soldiers.”

Unfortunately, Josh was medically discharged in August

through a £13m commitment from HM Treasury using income generated from the Libor ratefixing fines.

“The Legion has helped to change my life for the better. If I’m honest I didn’t know a lot about what it could offer until I discovered that the charity funded hearing treatment. It’s fair to say that the treatment – and indeed the Legion – has given my life back to me.”

“The Royal British Legion is out there supporting me by paying for the treatment, and I’d encourage anyone in my position to make the most of the help.

The Legion is here for us whether

2017. After a potential flatmate let Josh down, he ended up living in a caravan. “I really had a lot to sort out on being discharged from the Army. I found out about Stoll through the PRU and was recommended to apply to their Veterans’ Nomination Scheme.”

The Scheme provides access to housing for ex-Service men and women who are looking to move on from temporary accommodation after a period of homelessness or for those who have found themselves living in unsuitable accommodation.

The VNS is run by two of our partners, Stoll and The Royal British Legion. The Scheme has housed over 430 Veterans since it started as a pilot in 2009. It covers the whole of England and there are currently over 90 partner landlords.

“Within 6 weeks of first applying to the VNS, I had the keys to my flat. I wanted a property in London because the job prospects are better here and I even have a garden for my rescue dog Mowgli.

Stoll sorted me out in six weeks when I was in dire straights – I couldn’t recommend them enough.

I’m looking ahead to the future and I’m excited to see what it holds.

we’re young or old and that’s a wonderful thing.”

HELP FROM THE LEGION Steven Baynes, Head of Social Policy & Grant Giving at The Royal British Legion, said: “Tinnitus amongst Service personnel and veterans is poorly understood, and it is likely that many are suffering in silence, unaware of the support that may be available to them.

While there are a number of treatments available for tinnitus, it is often difficult to identify the appropriate treatment for each sufferer.

“The Royal British Legion is delighted that the treatment Mr Tatakis has accessed through the fund has made his condition more manageable.

Call us on 0808 802 1212 Speak to an advisor in our contact centre

The Armed Forces charity directory

11

1 2 0 2 Y A D S E ARMED FORC T R O P P U S R U O Y D E HOW YOU SHOWECEDENTED Y E A R U N PR A F T ER A N

Armed Forces Day was the chance for the British public to show support for the men and women who make up the Armed Forces community: from currently serving troops to Service families, veterans and cadets.

During the unprecedented events of the past year, the Armed Forces have been steadfast in their support to the NHS and local authorities to battle the Covid-19 pandemic.

From helping to build vaccine sites, to supporting community testing and providing clinical support to the NHS, the Armed Forces have worked tirelessly across the UK in the national effort to beat the virus. The Armed Forces have also continued to deploy on operations at home and abroad, from supporting civilian agencies in Kent to alleviate border crossing congestion over Christmas, to deploying on training, peacekeeping and counter-terror missions across the world.

T

AN UNPRECEDENTED YEAR FOR THE ARMED FORCES

his Armed Forces Day, held on Saturday 26 June, was important, now, more than ever that we came together to recognise their efforts and show our appreciation for all the work they do.

Throughout the pandemic, the Armed Forces have supported a range of MACA requests. These are Military to Civil Authorities taskings – usually used as support

to flooding or natural disasters – where the specialist expertise and equipment of the military is utilised to support governments and civil bodies. During the pandemic, this has ranged from driving Ambulances in Wales, to airlifting medical supplies around the Highlands, to building NHS Nightingale hospitals, and even administering vaccines.

Lance Corporal Dikendra Limbu, a Gurkha soldier deployed on COVID-19 testing in Kent in January 2021, said “The kind words and general appreciation shown by the general public acted as a catalyst boosting the team’s morale. We are able to test up to 800 individuals per day. The whole process is conducted whilst implementing rigid force health protection protocols to ensure the safety of both our workforce and the general public.”

The Armed Forces’ support over Christmas in testing hauliers trying to cross into Europe was essential for keeping motorways running.

Personnel from 36 Engineer Regiment, who had been testing

hauliers at the border to Dover, were overwhelmed with donations for the HGV drivers, including 1,000 sausage rolls and 1,000 pies from one company. Members of 36 Engineer Regiment, the Salvation Army and others, re-distributed food packages, which reached families, the homeless and food banks. Even overripe fruit and vegetables were put to use, taken to zoos for monkey and animal enclosures. The work of Armed Forces doctors and nurses has been instrumental in supporting the NHS. Corporal Pen Carless graduated as an Army Nurse after four years as an RAF medic, and her first deployment was in a COVID-19 ward in Royal Hospital Chelsea with exservicemen and women. Her second has been deploying in hospitals and administering COVID-19 vaccines alongside NHS staff. Reservists and Regulars alike have found themselves deployed across the UK and beyond to support the government’s response to COVID-19.

As well as trained medics, there

Join the nation in coming together to celebrate and show our appreciation for all the work that the Armed Forces do.

Find out more information about Armed Forces Day on the official site – www.armedforcesday.org.uk

12

The Armed Forces charity directory

are a huge cast of trades and skills being utilised for MACA projects.

These include logistical planners supporting councils rolling out testing programmes, drivers, engineers and musicians who have been deployed to support testing sites, and many more. One of the winning achievements was the inception of the Mobile Testing Unit at the start of April 2020 which was the idea to set up testing sites in car parks using outfitted vans to allow people to drive through without putting employees or each other at risk. This idea came straight from the military (516 Specialist Team Royal Engineers — part of 66 Works Group Royal Engineers) and was rolled out across the country, making mass testing much safer and easier. The Armed Forces have also been supporting the transport of supplies, including tests, PPE and vaccines, to our overseas territories, including the Caribbean, Ascension Islands and Falkland Islands.

They also supported the repatriation flights at the start of the pandemic by bringing British citizens home from across the world where they were stranded. Some individuals have stepped up to work above and beyond. Warrant Officer Scott ‘Barney’ Barnett, who works at Royal Naval Air Station Culdrose, had an interest in 3D-printing. He challenged himself to make 10,000 face visors to donate to the NHS, which he achieved and exceeded. His 13-year old daughter stitched over 100 fabric masks to donate. Corporal Pardeep Kaur ran a full marathon within her 6-metre patio over two days to help raise money for the NHS East Ambulance Service and raised £1320. Meanwhile, Sergeant Shiv Chand organised online events for faith communities, for example Diwali and Raksha Bandhan, to maintain community and solidarity for faith groups. Surgeon Lieutenant Commander Mike Hill has been shielding, but wanting to help, volunteered for the LGBT foundation. He says “COVID-19 has disproportionately impacted many minority communities including the LGBT+ community. We have set up rainbow buddies, a befriending service to tackle isolation and loneliness, particularly for those who are having to shield or isolate.” As chair of the Navy Compass LGBTQ+ Network, he has “been reaching out to our LGBT+ Service community; providing support through talking therapy, online social activities to address isolation and providing advice on maintaining mental and physical well-being.”

The Armed Forces charity directory

SHOW YOUR SUPPORT Although Armed Forces Day events were still affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, there are ways to continue to show your support this year. The Armed Forces Day website has many ideas for how to show your support, including ideas for virtual events taking place online rather than at a physical location.

If Covid-19 restrictions limit your plans, why not consider using video conferencing or live social media functions to arrange the following: • Arrange for a member of the Armed Forces or a Veteran to speak in a question & answer session to find out more about their experiences.

• Invite attendees to join together to take part in an Armed Forces Day themed quiz, game of bingo or even a bake off!

• Invite a historian from your local museum to speak about the history of the Armed Forces in your area or see if they offer virtual tours.

• Coordinate with your community online to arrange a virtual ‘tea party’ complete with a suggested music playlist, recipes for baking some traditional treats and online tutorial videos for learning a new dance routine, such as a waltz or a jive!

•A rrange a virtual watch party for your community to watch a military themed film or militaryhistory documentary online at the same time.

• Challenge your online community to take part in a ‘Build your own’ competition, using materials from around your home - for instance, build your own Spitfire, Tank or Air Raid Shelter!

For even more alternative event ideas, head to the Armed Forces Day website at www.

ArmedForcesDay.org.uk where you can also find out more about locally organised events.

If you are hoping to organise an event, either a virtual or physical event, funding is still available.

You can apply for funding and find out more information here www.armedforcesday.org.uk/ getinvolved/organise-yourown-event/ apply-for-funding.

Follow our Facebook www. facebook.com/armedforcesday and Twitter www.twitter.com/ armedforcesday?lang=en for all of the latest news and inspiration and ideas to show your support for the Armed Forces this year.

13

TOGETHER WE ARE SUPPORTING THE ARMED FORCES COMMUNITY

W

e are SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity.

We have been supporting the Armed Forces family for more than 135 years and not just during times of conflict. We help those currently serving, veterans and their families to retain their independence and dignity. Our services are diverse, and so are the people we help. With your help, whether practical, emotional or financial, we can get them the support they need.

We understand the unique demands of service life, whether it’s on UK soil or overseas. Support is

available for people at any stage in their military career; from the youngest recruit to the oldest veteran – no one’s service is ever forgotten.

However you choose to support us, you will be helping us to continue our life-changing work with Armed Forces service men and women, veterans and their families. SSAFA understands that behind every uniform is a person. And we are here for that person – any time they need us, in any way they need us, for as long as they need us.

SODEXO

Sharing a commitment to our Forces family We have 30 years’ experience of working alongside the military, providing soft and hard Facilities Management services at bases in the UK, Cyprus and The Falkland Islands. So it’s no surprise that the services community is one Sodexo has a strong connection with.

Our partnership with SSAFA has developed over the past 15 years and is based on a common passion in supporting the welfare of members of the Armed Forces.

SSAFA’s work in supporting thousands of people face their challenges every year has a powerful and positive impact. We take pride in working together to make a real difference – supporting this vital and complex work through sponsorship, donations, mentoring, event catering and employee volunteering and fundraising.

It’s a partnership that forms a key element of Sodexo UK & Ireland’s ethical manifesto – our Social Impact Pledge 2021 – which highlights ways our business works to benefit society and the planet.

14

SSAFA’s Friendly to Forces campaign, which aims to raise awareness with businesses and recruiters, has made enormous progress in opening doors to employment for those leaving the military. We are proud supporters and participants, and we actively look to recruit veterans.

Some of our employees are mentors as part of SSAFA’s mentoring programme which helps with the transition into civilian life. Rachel Evans, Sodexo’s Government & Agencies Human Resources Director is a SSAFA mentor “As an employer, we really see the benefit of supporting the transition from a military career, and recognise the value that ex-services colleagues bring. On a personal level, becoming a SSAFA mentor volunteer has given me an excellent opportunity to give something back to service leavers in a practical and tangible way.”

Our support of SSAFA also recognises that many veterans may face tough times, with

homelessness not uncommon.

The Sodexo Stop Hunger Foundation supports SSAFA’s homelessness fund, an initiative that provides urgent welfare grants to those most in need.

Raising awareness of the charity and the pride we have in our partnership is as important as providing funds. Throughout the year our fantastic employees get involved in exciting ways to raise funds, we also have a very healthy take-up of our paid days off volunteering scheme where many of our employees volunteer for SSAFA. At the heart of every activity is a desire to not only raise money, but to highlight the essential work SSAFA does.

The Armed Forces charity directory

CORPORATE FRIENDS Building connections within Defence

“Sodexo shares our commitment to welfare and understands the sometimes-complex needs of our military personnel. Over the 15-year course of the partnership to date, they have helped us to make a significant and positive difference to the lives of thousands of people every year.”

SIR ANDREW GREGORY, CEO, SSAFA

For many years, the Defence Industry has given SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity essential support which has enabled us to give vital assistance to the Armed Forces and their families. In recognition of these generous donations, we established the Corporate Friends scheme in 2004. The scheme is designed to thank our corporate partners at a series of networking events and speaker meetings held each year, throughout the year.

The scheme brings together our supporters from industry at a series of events, which include a diverse range of speakers from the defence sector. The events are held in central London and are a chance for attendees to network, discuss the latest issues and learn more about SSAFA’s work.

“Fujitsu has been a corporate friend of SSAFA for over 13 years. The Corporate Friends scheme remains an essential part of our calendars through providing a mutually beneficial framework to help Defence companies form links within industry, as well as helping SSAFA to raise funds and awareness. Being part of the Corporate Friends scheme has enabled us to develop deeper relationships with both industry and Ministry of Defence.

Over the last decade, we have supported SSAFA extensively both by sponsoring events and through employee

fundraising. Supporting such an important charity as SSAFA, and helping to contribute to their invaluable work, is our way of giving a little back and recognising the immeasurable contribution the men and women of our Armed Forces make during their careers.”

TIM GIBSON, VICE PRESIDENT, FUJITSU DEFENCE & NATIONAL SECURITY

To find out more about supporting the Armed Forces community, visit: www.ssafa.org.uk/support-us

Registered as a charity in England and Wales Number 210760 in Scotland Number SC038056 and in Republic of Ireland Number 20202001. Established 1885.

The Armed Forces charity directory

15

RBLI’S LIFEWORKS THE TRANSFORMATIVE EMPLOYMENT PROGRAMME FOR VETERANS More than 14,000 service personnel leave the Armed Forces every year.

W

hether that is due to redundancy, medical discharge or their service coming to conclusion, the vast majority of veterans transition smoothly back to civvy street – largely due to the continuallyimproving support of the Career Transition Partnership.

However, for some, often those whom leave with life-changing mental and physical disabilities, the transition to the civilian world may well be one of the greatest challenges they face, which is why help in addition to the CTP is often crucial in overcoming potential challenges.

Iain Downie, head of vocational rehabilitation & training services at military and disability charity Royal British Legion Industries, who himself transitioned to civilian life in 2013 following a 23-year career in the Army, said: “One of the root causes of a difficult transition is lack of employment. Without

16

employment and the structure it brings, ex-service personnel can find themselves secluded, without direction and unfortunately too often wrongly consider themselves of little value, potentially spiralling them towards depression.

“Conversely, having secure and rewarding employment reaps numerous benefits including instilling a sense of personal and financial autonomy, the ability to develop social skills and relationships, but perhaps most importantly, employment gives service leavers a sense of belonging again – a feeling of being a recognised and welcome member of society. This is why we at RBLI developed LifeWorks.”

In 2010, Royal British Legion Industries developed a transformative employment support programme called LifeWorks to help build the independence of veterans through helping them secure employment, and thereby tackle potential difficulties directly.

The intensive five day course is structured initially around helping veterans determine their interests, abilities, aptitudes and skills through an innovative and rigorous evaluation process led by a team of vocational assessors. The team then highlight how best veterans can achieve their employment goals – through perfecting interview techniques, job searching and application methods as well as recreating their CV so that it is tailored to their skills, experience and desired employment path.

“Over the course of the week,” Iain said, “Our aim is help the veterans redefine their own self-worth, and thus their own potential. We highlight their skills, then give them the tools to apply, with confidence and conviction, for employment and volunteering opportunities for which they are suited.

“One of the most important principles of the LifeWorks programme is helping everyone who attends to understand that the vast array of skills they acquire during their service are perfectly applicable in the civilian world of work and so in that sense, leaving the Forces does not require a completely fresh start.

“In fact, they already have an established wealth of experience and expertise throughout their service careers which makes them incredibly valuable to employers, and LifeWorks consistently goes to prove this.

“The programme, which is now delivered both nationwide and internationally, is soon to have reached 1,000 veterans 83% of whom have found work, volunteering or training within 12 months. This is especially impressive when considering that 80% of those attend the

course have some form of physical or mental health condition.”

COLIN’S STORY Former Army Sergeant Colin Walker completed the LifeWorks course after his life fell apart.

“I knew who I was in the Army,” said Colin. “I was a very small cog in the military machine, but a cog nonetheless. However, when I came out I had absolutely no idea where I was and how I fit into society.

“In the civilian world there is no system – no hierarchy. There are no rules as such and for me, at the time, it appeared to lack order.

“In the military, if there is an issue with the system, there are ways to fix it. It wasn’t perfect, we all knew that, but we do know what works and what doesn’t; whereas when you leave, the lack of control of your own life is incredibly unsettling.”

Colin was fortunate enough to secure work for several years following his 17-year stint in the The Armed Forces charity directory

Army which saw him based around the UK and Europe.

However, after spending three years setting up his own business as a freelance first-aid instructor, just before Christmas of last year, in a matter of weeks his world came crashing down.

“It was November 2016 when it all went horribly wrong for me.

“The business started to struggle and fall apart. I had my head above water – just. But then the vehicle I relied upon packed up. I quickly realised, all of a sudden, that everything was gone.

I lost everything – my home, my business – everything.

“In the space of a month, my life had gone from something to nothing. I was worried for my wife and my two children who were both at school at the time. I was lost in a world I’d never been in before. My confidence was at rockbottom and I was desperate for a fresh start.”

The Armed Forces charity directory

Then, by something which he refers to as ‘a pure stroke of luck’, Colin was given the details of LifeWorks by a local job centre. “What happened then changed my life.”

Naturally however, prior to attending a course in Colchester in January, Colin admits he was apprehensive. “I had no idea what to expect,” he said. “Because of what had happened in my life I was still in a cynical mind-set, but that changed, not just as the week progressed but as the first day progressed.”

“You could tell immediately that the LifeWorks team weren’t just there to turn up, get paid and go home. By the end of the first day I could see that was not going to be the case, and that made a big difference.”

“Within just the first couple of days, my confidence and the confidence of the others around me started to grow. By the end of that course – I had a CV I was impressed with, a clear idea of

what I wanted to do, and the tools and knowledge of how to get there. The LifeWorks team really showed me how to sell myself in a way I couldn’t before.”

With his newfound sense of confidence Colin was once again eager to look for work.

“After the course, I used what the team had taught me: I started refining my job searching.”

Within a month of finishing the course, Colin managed to secure an interview with SkillsForce – a national education charity who employ mostly ex-service personnel to lead teaching exercises in schools to empower children and young people to make positive life choices. His interview was successful which, he said, would not have happened if it was not for LifeWorks.

“I am entirely confident that I would not have secured this

job if I hadn’t have attended that course and the first reason for that is because the employers would not have looked twice at my CV, the second for that is the interview techniques they taught us all. I knew the principles of basic interview techniques, but LifeWorks taught me how to put it into practice.

"

LifeWorks has changed my life, I wish I had done it years ago. I would do anything to prove its worth to other veterans

"

17

DEAN’S STORY

FROM COMBAT STRESS TO FITNESS INSTRUCTOR Today, Dean is a qualified fitness instructor, but there was a time when the prospect of a career seemed remote.

D

iagnosed with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), Dean was being treated by Combat Stress, the UK’s leading charity for veterans’ mental health, when he came to realise how good exercise made him feel.

FROM COMBAT STRESS TO FITNESS INSTRUCTOR Dean took part in British Military Fitness (BMF) classes at one of Combat Stress’ treatment centres. He noticed how good exercise made him feel and was determined to keep it up. He’s now a qualified PT and BMF instructor.

“I joined the Army when I came to a crossroads in my life at 24.

“Just months after I came out of training I was deployed to Afghanistan.

During a firefight with the Taliban one of our sections got hit badly and we lost three guys from our platoon.

"I was so affected by what happened that I couldn't function, even after the tour. So in 2008 I left

WHAT DOES COMBAT STRESS DO? Combat Stress is the UK’s leading charity for veterans’ mental health.

This year it commemorates 100 years of helping former servicemen and women deal with traumarelated mental health problems such as anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). They support veterans from every service and every conflict – including reservists and those from the Merchant Navy.

Without the charity’s unique specialist treatment and support, veterans’ lives can become desperate.

Anxiety, anger, depression, isolation and, in some cases, suicide can tear families apart, destroy relationships and devastate lives.

18

the Army. “I struggled adapting to civilian life. I lived turbulently, gambled and neglected my family.

“I started having nightmares, so I never got a proper night’s sleep.

“One day, it all became too much.

I walked aimlessly for 40 miles until I reached a bridge. I was ready to jump, but then I thought about my family."

Dean was picked up by the police and taken to hospital. After some time in hospital Dean's local mental health team referred him to Combat Stress.

"I was diagnosed with posttraumatic stress disorder – PTSD – and in 2018 I did the six-week PTSD Intensive Treatment Programme (ITP).

“Talking about everything had such an impact on me – I’m more open about my feelings now.

And the support from the other guys doing the ITP was amazing; being with other veterans who understood helped me have a different perspective.

“I took part in British Military Fitness (BMF) classes at the treatment centre. I noticed how good exercise made me feel, and was determined to keep it up.

When a veteran is referred to Combat Stress for help, the charity develops a programme of support to meet that veteran’s individual needs. This might include one-toone sessions with a member of the charity’s specialist clinical team or attending one of its treatment centres for an outpatient appointment, or a residential programme, and occupational therapy.

Combat Stress also provides support in the community through a team of psychiatric nurses, occupational therapists and a veteran-led peer support service.

Often, a veteran comes to Combat Stress through its 24-hour Helpline, which offers free, confidential mental health advice to them and their families. The helpline is 0800 138 161 The Armed Forces charity directory

“Things are going well for me at the moment. I still have my ups and downs, but I feel like I can cope.

“Now my life is about spending as much time with my family as I can. I still use what I learnt in occupational therapy to keep a good balance of everything and I still meet up with the guys from ITP: they’re part of my journey now.

“Since I got in contact with Combat Stress, I haven’t looked back.”

FROM MARATHONS TO CORPORATE PARTNERSHIP: HOW TO SUPPORT COMBAT STRESS There are many ways to help Combat Stress transform the lives of veterans who have gone to them for help. Here are some ideas: Your single or regular donation (which can be set up by direct debit) can make a real difference to the veterans Combat Stress helps.

If you’re a business, you could choose Combat Stress as your charity of the year – a chance for employees to support veterans with events, activities and challenges. A dedicated account manager from Combat Stress will work with you to create tailored fundraising initiatives to engage your employees and discuss other ways of partnering to find the best solution for your company.

If you’re part of, or have links to a trust, foundation, livery company or other grant-making body, the charity can work with you to identify a specific project or discuss how you can support their services in a particular region.

You might choose to leave a gift in your Will. It’s simple to do and will make a real difference for years to come.

If you’d like to champion a specific project or make a multi-year pledge of £5,000 or more a year, the charity will acknowledge you as a major gift benefactor.

There are many ways to support Combat Stress in tribute to a loved, such as asking for donations instead of flowers.

Leaving a gift in your will to the charity can help also support its work in years to come.

If you’re up for a challenge, then you could make your next run, cycle, trek or other challenge event

count towards providing the lifechanging treatment to help former servicemen and rebuild their lives.

WHY COMBAT STRESS NEEDS SUPPORT The charity’s need for funding is even more crucial today as greater numbers of younger veterans come forward for help much sooner than in the past.

On average, it takes 13 years after leaving the military for a veteran to ask for Combat Stress for help, but demand from those who served in Iraq and Afghanistan continues to increase and this group is seeking help much sooner (six and four years respectively).

Last year, the Combat Stress Helpline received more than 12,000 calls – 60 per cent of these were from first-time callers – and demand for services was at an all-time high, with over 2,000 new veteran referrals; 3,416 veterans were directly helped and almost 600

veterans benefited from the peer support service.

More than 80 per cent of the veterans supported by Combat Stress tried to get help for their mental health from the NHS and MoD before contacting the charity.

King’s College London research highlights that the rate of PTSD is nearly twice as high among veterans than among the general public. For those who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, the rate of PTSD is even higher, with 17 per cent predicted to develop PTSD. With this increasing demand, and changes to the funding they received in past years, Combat Stress has launched The At Ease Appeal to raise an extra £10m over three years to help fund its world-renowned treatment.

NEXT STEPS Want to find out how you can make a difference? Then please call Claire at Combat Stress on 01372 587151 or email fundraising@combatstress. org.uk.

To find out more or to make a donation now, see www. combatstress.org.uk/support-us.

BE REMEMBERED FOR SOMETHING SPECIAL One in five of the veterans Combat Stress helps is funded through gifts in Wills. With a 50% increase in referrals over the last ten years, we need your help now more than ever to ensure we can continue to be here for veterans.

Your support will help provide free, unique and tailored mental health services to support each veteran in the community, on the phone or at one of our residential treatment centres.

Please help by remembering veterans in your Will* Like to find out more? Have questions? Please contact Sarah Seddon on 01372 587144 or sarah.seddon@combatstress.org.uk. * We can provide details of a free Will-writing service.

The Armed Forces charity directory

19

INTRODUCING F4H Formed in 2008, F4H works with individuals from all ranks of the army, RAF and Royal Navy.

S

ome do not see a future for themselves after the military. All are examples of individual men and women who have made sacrifices and an enormous contribution to their Country.

Once a military career has ended, a minority of our servicemen and women struggle to re-adjust to life as a civilian, the consequence of which can lead to lack of direction and poor choices.

For some this might manifest itself as simple anxiety and nervousness about their future. However, for a few it may be the start of a downwards spiral, beginning with a loss of identity and purpose that leads to a way of life that progresses to disillusionment,

uncertainty and/or loneliness.

Homelessness, self-harming and depression may follow, with dependency and crime thereafter.

Prison may then beckon and ultimately – for a small number – suicide might be considered. Our delegates may find themselves anywhere on this spectrum.

We offer a positive approach and work with the individual’s personal circumstances to help shape their future. Our residential courses encourage those attending to reflect and learn from their past, drawing from its strengths.

We help individuals to understand their current circumstances and, importantly, we offer motivation and support to plan for a new future. Re-adjustment is not easy and our aim is to create a positive and aspirational approach. We work with individuals to help them recognise, identify and address their post-military needs.

We strive to develop the ability of serving and retired members of the Armed Forces of all ranks and status – and their spouses/ partners – to manage the dramatic change in cultures when resuming civilian life in such a way that they are better able to identify, and help meet, their needs and to participate fully in society.

THE CHARITY’S OFFICIAL TITLE IS REMOUNT T/A FUTURE FOR HEROES LTD Our residential course encourages participants to consider their future and realise their worth to potential employers. It offers the chance for delegates to look at options that can be adopted to effect change and become at ease with their life. We look at mechanisms for coping with stress as well as the cause, symptoms and effects it brings.

We work to strengthen perceived

or real weaknesses and to encourage awareness of talent, alongside better understanding of the skills and qualities gained during an individual’s military career. Adjustment for some feels like an impossible mountain to climb and our courses are aimed at reflection, realisation and action towards a new life as a civilian.

Delegates have the option to be supported by mentors who attend the same course who, if wanted, remain available for up to 12 months: we hope to develop life changes that can take time to complete. At the end of the course with F4H, if desired, delegates will have completed a personal development plan with their mentor.

The Defence Recovery Capability sanctions serving wounded, injured and sick in resettlement attending our course whilst on duty. We are registered with Cobseo and the Institute of Leadership and Management has accredited our course.

CONTACT INFO Tel: Enquires/Course Booking 01452 505 686/j.paton@f4h.org.uk Administration/Outreach 07702 596 226 k.hartley@f4h.org.uk

ADDRESS: To ensure correct receipt of correspondence, all letters MUST be addressed clearly to: C/O The Accountant RHQ RTR Stanley Barracks Bovington Dorset BH20 6JB Email: CEO: ceo@f4h.org.uk 20

The Armed Forces charity directory

TESTIMONIAL OF SAMANTHA

WE VALUE YOUR SUPPORT Due to the generosity of our benefactors and sponsors, we can offer support to soldiers, sailors and airmen who may need help in navigating a successful journey into civilian life. Over the years, not only financial and moral support has been provided, but advice and guidance as well. Our supporters are many, comprising both large and small organisations as well as individuals – all have kindly given so much to help men and women who have needed assistance.

Our charity has a core of excellent individuals who between them provide the training, the mentoring, the administration behind the scenes and the

constant development of the charity to meet the ever-changing demands. Without them nothing would be achieved.

Our success cannot be maintained without financial support. Like all things in life there is a cost: putting one person through a 4-day residential course is expensive but the reward of seeing the change in that individual is immeasurable.

Someone with low self-esteem and lacking direction can, over just four days, begin the journey to increased confidence, become more engaged in their wider community (that so often can result in employment, training), or ‘just’ be in a better place.

For our current supporters and benefactors, Thank You.

The Armed Forces charity directory

I genuinely find it hard to describe in words the impact that the F4H course had on me personally. I would challenge anybody to take part on the course, fully invest themselves in the process throughout the 4 day period and not come away without any element of self learning or personal development.

I attended the course following 18 months of depression, work place bullying and harassment, poor duty of care within the work environment and long term family issues which impacted significantly on my self confidence, self esteem and self belief. The course setting, fellow attendees and supportive, insightful staff all ensured that the environment was safe and enabled me to be as open as I wanted to be about my personal difficulties without feeling judged or belittled.

For those individuals who do not benefit as much from outwardly expressing thoughts, feelings and emotions like I did, there is the opportunity to learn and explore things through outdoor physical activities which are set to your own individual pace without any pressure to take part if you do not wish.

The early morning energisers, either walking or canoeing on the lake are idyllic and a perfect opportunity to enforce any learning, just have a laugh with colleagues, personal reflection time (of which there is plenty throughout the course) or time to just have fun and forget about any troubles of the past or that remain at home.

I personally used this time to formulate a plan on how I would approach things differently on my return home based on the things I had learned on the course. I attended the course 2 months ago and there has not been a day that has passed where I have not thought about my time on F4H. Whether that be the people that I met (some of whom I will remain in contact with), the activities completed or simply just remembering the beautiful setting and scenery.

Primarily, however, I remind myself every day that I cannot change the past but I can learn from it and use that to live in the present and plan for the future. This simple mantra helps me to get through the challenges that I am still facing and has effectively helped me to refocus my priorities in life.

If you are in any doubt about applying for the course, then what do you have to lose? I would be happy to volunteer my time to help on this course such is the value I place on what it is achieving.

21

HGV CAREER PROVIDES

SALVATION FOR ARMY VETERAN Innes Aucott served with The Staffordshire Regiment (now part of The Mercian Regiment) between 1994 and 1998.

F

ollowing a series of mental health issues including suicide attempts, he underwent a course with Future for Heroes and began to rebuild his life. Innes has now completed his HGV training with funding from The Soldiers’ Charity and The Mercian Regiment and has a new job with a haulage firm.

“My story may be a different to a lot of others,’ Innes reflects. ‘My issues were not caused by the Army but my earlier home life. In fact, my time with 1 Staffords was probably the most stable of my life.”

"

Innes Aucott joined the Army on 4th January 1994. Having attempted suicide several times in his youth, he found security and a sense of purpose in the Army. After training, he joined the 1st Battalion, The Staffordshire Regiment in Newry, Northern Ireland, followed by a posting to Market Drayton and a five-month tour of Hong Kong.

Then, in 1998, having fears about a return to civilian life drove Innes to make two fresh attempts on his life. He was admitted to Catterick psychiatric ward and then to Shrewsbury Psychiatric Hospital, only to be discharged after attacking another patient.

“After that, the Army decided I would be better served staying at home until my final few months of service were over.”

Fast forward 20 years and Innes experienced a second breakdown whilst working for the NHS. The following 18 months left him isolated and desperate. “I could only leave the house to take the lad to school before anxiety overwhelmed me. I would even get severe anxiety when my son, then aged 7, and

I think the thing that turned my life around was the course.

Everyone was exforces so there was already a bond there...

22

"

The Armed Forces charity directory

my wife were in the house.” Innes approached various mental health services, but without success.

At that point, his best friend suggested Future For Heroes, a charity which helps service leavers struggling to adapt to civilian life.

With a great deal of encouragement, Innes committed to their four-day residential course at Brathay. “I think the thing that turned my life around was the course. Everyone was exforces so there was already a bond there, and it made breaking down the walls so much easier.” From the first day, Innes felt comfortable enough to reveal things about himself that he never had before – even to his wife or mother. He believes the setting and staff, coupled with the fact that the delegates were ex-service personnel, set the course apart.

“The challenges push you but the support you receive is amazing. I honestly believe that without that four-day course I would have either continued my decline, made another attempt on my life or be living solo in an institution or on the streets.”

From the course, Innes was referred for hypnotherapy treatment which helped

FUTURE FOR HEROES

immensely. He also had access to The Poppy Factory, which provided access to a Heavy Goods Vehicle (HGV) driving course. At this point, The Mercian Regiment and ABF The Soldiers’ Charity stepped in to provide funding. The Soldiers’ Charity is the national charity of the British Army, which provides a lifetime of support to soldiers, veterans and their immediate families in times of need. They provide assistance to individuals through their Regiments and Corps, as well as through their grants to specialist charities like Future For Heroes and The Poppy Factory.

With their help, Innes passed his HGV Class 2 course. Now six

months into his new role with a local haulage firm, he is feeling optimistic about the future: “I am loving the no-pressure job. I haven’t suffered a serious anxiety attack in months, I no longer require medication and am almost back to being a good father and husband.”

Innes says he still has bad days, but not to the extent he used to: “If I start to struggle I tend to visit Brathay and sit by the lake which recharges me and reminds me of the way forward.”

Innes has manned water stations at the last two Brathay Marathons.

His next goal is to attempt the marathon himself next year with the tabbing group.

Future For Heroes was founded in 2008 with the aim to help leavers and veterans realise their ambitions and build a successful life or a second career on their retirement from the Forces. The charity works with individuals from all three services and focuses on achieving sustainable change by encouraging its delegates to reflect on their experiences, skills and knowledge; to consider the options available to them in new and liberating ways; and by offering mentoring support for up to 12 months after an individual has attended one of their courses, to ensure they receive the continuity of support they need. www.f4h.org.uk

THE POPPY FACTORY

© Victor Moussa / shutterstock

The Poppy Factory is the country’s leading employment charity for veterans with physical and/or mental health conditions. It works with businesses across the country to provide bespoke opportunities and ongoing employment support for hundreds of wounded, injured and sick veterans. This helps to restore veterans’ financial independence through sustainable and rewarding work. Since 2010, the charity has supported 1,000 people back into civilian employment. www.poppyfactory.org

The Armed Forces charity directory

23

RAF BENEVOLENT FUND SUPPORTS VETERANS THROUGH COVID-19 CRISIS AND BEYOND

SUPPORT FOR SERVICE LEAVERS

Since its formation in 1919, the RAF Benevolent Fund has stood side by side with the RAF Family during its toughest times and the coronavirus pandemic is no exception.

SOCIAL ISOLATION The RAF Benevolent Fund has introduced a weekly Check and Chat service and expanded its successful Telephone Friendship Groups service to allow more veterans to join a weekly call.

For more information about both services, please visit rafbf.org/ friendship The Fund’s Community Engagement Workers are continuing their great work with vulnerable beneficiaries, but now over the phone, and its Social Engagement Workers have flexed their role and are working hard with their local station to better support the socially isolated on and off station.

Transitioning into civilian life from time in Service can bring a number of challenges, and the RAF Benevolent Fund is there to help those who may be in need of extra support.

The Fund can provide help with housing, and it can also support service leavers who feel they may need additional training or education to improve their employability.

If you are medically discharged from Service, the Fund may be able to provide additional assistance over and above the normal resettlement process to assist with transition training courses.

Where discharge is not for medical reasons, help can also be considered for vocational skills development training where there are identifiable job opportunities.

MENTAL WELLBEING

T

he welfare of RAF veterans and personnel has been and will continue to be at the forefront of all of the Fund’s work.

The Fund has adjusted its working practices to ensure it is ready and able to assist those members of the RAF Family who need additional support. Indeed, in the first two months of the lockdown, the Fund awarded more than £2.6M in grants to RAF veterans, serving personnel and their families.

Additionally, the Fund has created a COVID-19 Resources and Information page on its website to signpost the different services available to members of the RAF Family throughout the coronavirus pandemic and beyond. For more information, please visit rafbf.org/covid19.

The RAF Benevolent Fund is keen to ensure the most vulnerable RAF veterans, serving personnel and dependants are able to access the very best level of support we can provide in these challenging times.

In order to continue supporting the RAF veterans and their families throughout the pandemic and

24

beyond, the Fund has expanded a number of its welfare services.

FINANCIAL SUPPORT The Fund has launched an online application form that allows RAF veterans and their partners access financial support more easily.

The new application process gives beneficiaries the opportunity to apply directly to the charity for financial assistance up to £750.

Requests of this size accounted for 24% of all applications received by the Fund in 2019, equating to more than £400,000 of support for veterans and their families last year alone.

Larger financial grants are available for members of the RAF Family including working-age RAF veterans who may be out of work due to the crisis. The Fund will continue to work with caseworking organisations to ensure that the application process is as effective as possible, despite many of their volunteers being affected by social distancing guidelines.

Veterans can seek advice through the Fund’s Benefits Advice and Advocacy service. The Advocacy service is also able to assist people with understanding and challenging social care and CHC (continuing healthcare) decisions.

The Fund provides a Listening and Counselling Service, which has been expanded to provide 24-hour support. This service is available to veterans and serving personnel, as well as their partners, who may be in need of emotional support.

We have an online mental wellbeing zone on our website where RAF veterans and personnel can find advice, support and find out where to go for more help.

The RAF Benevolent Fund is the RAF’s leading welfare charity, providing financial, emotional and practical assistance to serving and retired RAF personnel and their families. This includes grants to help with financial difficulty, specialist advice on benefits, support with care needs, and more.

For more information about the support available to RAF veterans and their dependants, please visit rafbf. org/veterans or call 0300 102 1919.

The Armed Forces charity directory

HOW THE RAF BENEVOLENT FUND HAS HELPED SERVICE LEAVERS The RAF Benevolent Fund's support has helped ex-serviceman Andrew Stevens manage his obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) and continue his job as a key worker delivering groceries in his community through the coronavirus pandemic.

He explains the true impact of this assistance below.

When I was in the RAF I was serving my country on the frontline, now I'm proud to be on the frontline again, supporting the keyworkers and the rest of the country as we battle this virus.

If it wasn't for the Fund, I simply wouldn't be able to that.

The support I've received has taught me how to manage my condition, and I’m pleased to say that I've been able to continue my job as a supermarket delivery driver throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Armed Forces charity directory

Had I not received this help, I'm sure this would have been an incredibly triggering experience for me. Instead, I now feel confident and secure that I can carry on going to work, looking after my family, and taking care of my own mental health.

It all began in 2007 when my career in the RAF was unexpectedly cut short and I struggled with my transition back into civilian life.

I joined the Royal Air Force when I was 18 years old, serving for seven years as a painter and finisher on Tornados based out of RAF Lossiemouth. I loved my job in the military, you're part of a tight community and a brotherhood.

You're told how to dress, what to eat, what to drink, where to live and everything is decided for you.

I was made redundant in 2007 and that's when things changed for me.

Despite being successful in finding a civilian job, I became anxious and depressed and quite quickly things spiralled out of control. I began to worry about everything, my finances, my family, about my new job, my

home. Eventually that worry turned into compulsion.

It started with small things like washing my hands. I would wash them twice to make sure they were clean and that I wouldn't get ill. But things escalated and before I knew it I was washing my hands four or five times and was still not happy. I would make the bed and if it didn't look exactly how I wanted it, I would start it all over again.

I began to avoid certain parts of the house and then eventually stopped going out too. I would spend hours at a time in the shower, trying to get clean. I wouldn't touch my food, I would pace around the house checking I had locked everything.

When I got home, I wouldn't go near my children. I know it sounds crazy, but I couldn't risk touching them. This went on for 10 years.

And it was at that point my wife intervened and booked me a doctor's appointment. Quite early on they diagnosed me with severe OCD. I finally admitted I needed help and got in touch with the RAF Benevolent Fund, not really knowing if they would be able to help. What really sticks with me is the speed in which the Fund stepped in and offered support.

I questioned whether there was any point in me being here, I was ready to end things.

But the Fund's early and reactive support meant I didn't have to ask myself these questions for very long and slowly the darkness lifted. The Listening, Counselling and Wellbeing service they provided saved my life.

25

NAVAL FAMILIES

FEDERATION FUNDING

The Naval Families Federation was set up at the request of the Government in order to allow the families of the Naval Service to have their voices heard.

We are a registered charity in England and Wales (1177107), funded through a grant-in-aid, which allows us to operate independently of the Government and the Chain of Command. We have also received funding from Greenwich Hospital and from LIBOR funds for specific projects.

HELPING FAMILIES Sometimes it can be difficult to find the help, support or advice you need. That’s why we’re here.

Our website has the answers to questions we’re often asked. But if you need something else, our friendly team is ready to help, or to introduce you to someone else who can.

We’re a totally confidential service, we understand the challenges of Navy life but aren’t a formal part of the Naval Service.

Whether you need help with schools, where you live or work, your finances, your future, a posting overseas, relationships or your health, our concern is always for you, our Naval Service family.

WHAT WE DO We Listen Every day we work with and support serving sailors, marines and their families. As a result, we

genuinely understand the unique demands and challenges of Naval Service life.

By hearing about the issues you face we can learn from them.

By asking questions personally and through surveys, we can evidence them.

We then take these lessons and work to make important changes to benefit you, the Royal Navy and Royal Marines families of today and those of tomorrow. Your experiences can help others – we want you to have your say.

Drive Change Our Federation is a charity, totally confidential and independent of the Royal Navy and Royal Marines.

We listen to and learn from our Royal Navy and Royal Marines families. Then take that information to work as a force for change.

With access to policymakers at the highest levels – Government, politicians, the chain of command and a host of other organisations, we work as a partnership to deliver change.

EMPLOYING A SERVICE SPOUSE OR PARTNER Information For Employers Research shows that Royal Navy and Royal Marines spouses/ partners represent an untapped pool of skilled labour. However, a study by Barclays also shows that almost 40% of Service spouses and partners believe that having their other half in the Armed

Services has prevented them from being offered a job interview.

We have put together some facts, figures and real life examples of how employing a Service spouse or partner can benefit your organisation, please click here.

SHARING GOOD PRACTICE Military Network Many organisations have set up a network for those staff members that have a connections to the Military community. This provides support within the workplace and also gives the organisation the opportunity to raise new ideas and suggest possible future projects that are specific to the Military community.

Internal Moves Policy Referencing a Military spouse/ partner within the policy reassures your staff member that you are supportive of internal moves due to their serving partner’s Military assignments.

Culture Each member of staff has different family needs at different times. The greatest support will come from creating a culture where everyone is treated as an individual and these needs can be discussed open

26

The Armed Forces charity directory

and honestly with a view to finding a solution that works for both the individual and the organisation.

Employment Workshops The Naval Families Federation has been approached by a number of organisations wishing to facilitate employment workshops for Service spouses. Barclays Bank, for example, have run a ‘skills’ workshop for Royal Navy and Royal Marines partners and spouses in the summer of 2018.

A pilot workshop was held in Portsmouth and it is now rolling out across the country.

WOMEN IN THE ARMED FORCES: FROM RECRUITMENT TO CIVILIAN LIFE In December 2020 the Defence Committee launched an inquiry on Women in the Armed Forces: From Recruitment to Civilian Life.

The aim of the inquiry is to look at the experience of female Service The Armed Forces charity directory

personnel from recruitment to transition and consider whether there are unique challenges that are not adequately addressed by the current policies and services. Other areas of interest that the Committee are keen to cover within the scope of the inquiry include issues around pensions, terms and conditions of employment, housing, and general wellbeing.

As part of the inquiry, female Service personnel were invited to complete an online survey.

Based on feedback and issues raised by Service personnel and their loved ones, the Naval Families Federation submitted our observations on behalf of our community. Key themes include: • Harmony and separation; • Culture and expectations; • Childcare; Recruitment – if you have a position which you think would be suitable for a Service spouse

or partner and you would like us to assist with advertising the role, please email info@nff. org.uk with the details and we will be able to share this on our LinkedIn page. Forces Families Job (ForcesFamiliesJobs. co.uk) is a Tri-Service platform to enable family members of serving personnel to have a ‘one stop shop’ where they can apply for jobs directly with employers who have signed the Armed Forces Covenant as well as find signposting to other career and training opportunities.

and single services. Employers can choose specific promises or pledges to support their employees within the Armed Forces community. For example, employers can pledge to promote the fact that they are an Armed Forces-friendly organisation.

A report launched by The Forces in Mind Trust, titled ‘Benefit not Burden’, calls for increased awareness around the benefits to businesses, public and voluntary sector organisations in the UK in signing up to the Armed Forces Covenant.

FIND OUT MORE If you’re interested in finding out how you can offer employment support to Service spouses, or if you would like to know about Forces Families Jobs, please contact us at contactus@nff.org.uk.

ARMED FORCES COVENANT The Armed Forces Covenant is a pledge to acknowledge and understand those who serve/ have served in the Armed Forces, and their families, that they should be treated with fairness and respect.

The Armed Forces Covenant can be signed by businesses of all sizes, charitable organisations, local authorities, public sector organisations

Speaking up for Naval Service families Registered charity in England and Wales (1177107)

CONTACT 02392 654374 Building 25, HMS Excellent, Portsmouth, Hampshire, PO2 8ER Opening hours Mon - Thurs: 9am – 5pm Fri: 9am – 1pm Weekends & Bank Holidays: Closed

27

PROVIDING THROUGH LIFE SUPPORT TO

THE ROYAL MARINES FAMILY Royal Marines are deployed on duty around the globe 365 days a year. Though they form only 4% of UK defence forces, they provide 47% of UK Special Forces. Elite personnel, Royal Marines are disproportionately exposed to danger.

28

The Armed Forces charity directory

A

s the Royal Marines’ own charity, RMA-The Royal Marines Charity is uniquely placed to understand, respond and react, enabling Marines and their families to overcome their challenges, including life changing injury, life limiting illness, mental illness, transition to civilian life and poverty.

RMA-The Royal Marines Charity is a whole service delivery organisation, a distinct member of the Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity Group. The charity comprises: •A membership association with over 17,000 members in 91 branches worldwide, and a core series of national and international events; •A welfare team delivering a wide range of welfare services to serving and veteran Royal Marines and their families, ranging from benevolence grants, alcohol education and abuse advice, therapy, proactive vulnerable leaver support and a pensions and tribunals advice service; • An employment and education team offering advice, funding and networking to enable medically discharged and vulnerable leavers to find work; • A fundraising and communications team raising £4M per annum through a wide range of fundraising initiatives and events; • A retail operation – Royal Marines Shop – donating all its profits to the Charity.

excellence and punch above their weight in defence, and as their charity, we seek to do the same. A product of three mergers consolidating Royal Marines charities through 2016-19, RMA-The Royal Marines Charity is a sector-leading organisation, the most wide-ranging and growing regimental charity in the UK, able to punch above its weight in the Navy charitable sector and more widely.

We: • Prevent – ensure that members of our community do not descend into acute need • Respond – provide holistic support to those who have serious mental, physical or other challenges which threaten their independence and dignity • Assure – provide professional and safe support • Inform – ensure that our community knows how to promote good health and welfare, and where and how to seek help • Collaborate – ensure that members of our community are assisted by the most appropriate source

We have alleviated pressure on the NHS and government:

MENTAL ILL-HEALTH, ADDICTION AND ISOLATION In lockdown, those battling acute mental ill-health and/or alcohol dependency found that their challenges were further exacerbated as they felt further away from support than ever.

The numbers seeking support with alcohol addiction have risen significantly. The NHS continues to refer Royal Marines with complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder to the Charity for treatment since the NHS does not always have capacity to provide the early intervention necessary.

In 2019 this saved the NHS over £400,000.

2020 saw need rising across every sphere of our work, following trends from previous years but exacerbated by the pandemic. To meet this rising need year on year, the Charity has put in place the people and resources necessary to provide effective support, and we have become increasingly effective in supporting the Corps Family:

The Royal Marines represent timeless 2018 2019

665

2020

810

Increase 2019-20

Welfare Cases provided with funding support

545

Employment Assistance – discharged RMs

55

71

75

5.5%

Armed Forces Compensation Tribunal Case Support

97

117

126

7.7%

22%

Transition Support to Vulnerable Leavers

82

Veteran Mental Health Referral Cases

79

Addiction support

NA

To calculate the social value of the Charity’s work we use Government approved measures: Social Value created in 2020: £4.5M (2019: £4M) Financial grants support to the Corps Family: £3M Value added to Corps through evidenced retention: £3.5M Total Social Value 2020: £11M (2019: £10M)

EVERY £1 DONATED WAS TURNED INTO £2.50 OF CHARITABLE VALUE DELIVERED

The Armed Forces charity directory

MEDICAL DISCHARGES Those facing compulsory discharge because of injury or illness have found their transition courses and job offers postponed or cancelled, further compounding the distress of losing a career and whole way of life in the Corps. These Royal Marines have turned to our Employment Team for support.

In 2020 our work saved the State over £2.1M in benefits by enabling 75 discharged and vulnerable RM into work.

96

92

43

93

113

60

23%

40%

We applied the Commando Mindset to the pandemic by understanding, adapting to, responding and overcoming its challenges. We intend now to further improve our current support in the 2022-24 period, and we are planning for 20252030. The permanent forward deployment of the Corps as a result of the Integrated Defence Review will bring new challenges which we are determined to

be ready to face. We intend to build our membership to 25,000 so that we will better represent our whole community, and to become effective advocates for them in the UK. Most of all, we seek to increase our proactive and preventative work through our Association, so as to decrease the number of Royal Marines and dependants who find themselves in crisis situations, saving money but also preventing suffering.

We are immensely grateful for continued support. Whether it is providing advice or employment, financial donations or nonmonetary help, any assistance is hugely appreciated and humbly received and makes a profound and discernible difference. www.rma-trmc.org

29

HAVE YOU GOT A PROBLEM WITH ALCOHOL? ONLY YOU CAN DECIDE!

To answer this question ask yourself the following questions and answer them as honestly as you can 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

Is drinking making your home life unhappy?

Does your drinking make you careless of your families welfare?

Do you drink because you are shy with other people?

Is drinking affecting your reputation?

Do you drink to escape from worries or trouble?

Do you drink alone?

Have you lost time from work due to drinking?

Has your ambition decreased since drinking?

Has your efficiency decreased since drinking?

Is drinking jeopardising your job or business?

11. Have you ever felt remorse after drinking?

12. Are you in financial difficulties as a result of drinking?

13. Do you turn to or seek an inferior environment when drinking?

14. Do you crave a drink at a definite time daily?

15. Does drinking cause you to have difficulty in sleeping?

16. Do you want a drink the next morning?

17. Do you drink to build up your confidence?

18. Have you ever had a complete loss of memory as a result of drinking?

19. Has your Dr ever treated you for drinking?

If you have answered “YES” to any one of the questions, there is a definite warning…

If you have answered “YES” to any two, the chances are that you have a problem…

If you have answered “YES” to three or more, you most certainly have a problem…

“THE ONLY REQUIREMENT IS A DESIRE TO STOP DRINKING” Take action now and give us a call on 0800 917 7650… We are here to help!

Drinking on the Job… AA is concerned solely with the personal recovery and continued sobriety of individual alcoholics who turn to the Fellowship for help.

AA experience has always been made available freely to all who sought it.

Do you want help with a drinking problem?

If alcohol is costing you more than money, then call us today in complete confidence on 0800 9177 650, or email us at help@alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk

“My 10 year old daughter succumbed to cancer….my drinking rocketed…I learnt to use drink to numb the pain. Then followed a dark period in my life…extended periods of diagnosed depression and marriage break up.

I finally admitted to occupational health that I needed help – the response was supportive and nothing like I expected I was offered a place in re-hab, and introduced to Alcoholics Anonymous.

I am now approaching six years of continuous sobriety. I retired from the Police Service sober after 30 years’ service and now work with others trying to recover from alcoholism”

Former Detective Inspector

“I had a good job, a wonderful family and home…but the lost days and lost peace of mind for my wife was a greater cost. I was a ‘functioning alcoholic’ - I worked well and professionally as a police officer, in several specialist roles and with promotions.

“I hid bottles around the house to drink when my wife was busy…

The next morning was always a panic, to check that the bottles were still hidden.

“My rock bottom came after a weekend lost in four bottles of gin and the following morning I rang AA. I admitted to my wife and my two daughters that I was an alcoholic and they helped me get to my first meeting. I knew at the end of that meeting that I’d found the right place”.

Former Inspector

“My wife had left home; I’d been assaulted in the town centre a few days later and hadn’t defended myself for the first time; my emotional life was becoming even more unmanageable. I was forced into accepting that I couldn’t drink safely. Like a blinding glimpse of the obvious, the answer was ‘Don’t Drink!’ How to do it? I became committed to AA...”

Former Superintendent

HM's visit to our Morden estate in October 2019 to open our new development

SPECIAL HOUSING NEEDS Haig also offers special housing solutions for severely wounded and disabled Service and ex-Service personnel. We assist in finding the right home in the right location for the individual, oversee the conveyancing and any adaptations that are required, liaising with Local Authorities, architects and builders as required before then entering into a shared equity/rental arrangement. This helps ensure that the individual can better manage any compensation they have been awarded without having to use it all on housing at the outset of their new life. Of the 60 homes or so obtained in this way since the scheme was first established by Haig under the ‘Coming Home’ fundraising brand some 9 years ago roughly a third have now been fully bought out. In this way the Trust is able to continue providing appropriate housing for those personnel and other Veterans in need of rebuilding their lives following traumatic life changing injuries.

One of our Special Needs beneficiaries

32

HAIG HOUSING TRUST HOUSING THE EX-SERVICE COMMUNITY Haig Housing is one of the country’s oldest military charities and has been the UK’s leading provider of rental homes for Veterans and their families for over 100 years.

I

t has its roots in the ‘The Housing Association for Officers’ Families’, established in 1916 to house wounded officers returning from the Great War who had lost their livelihood, and also officers’ widows. Then when Field Marshal Earl Haig died in 1928 a fund was created in his name by huge public subscription to provide housing for the noncommissioned wounded and their families. This new charity was administered by the same executive and board of Trustees and was named the Douglas Haig Memorial Homes, later to be known as Haig Homes. In 1995, having run side by side, the two charities were merged and by 2013 had rebranded as Haig Housing Trust.

With growth in the 1950s following WW2 and a development programme from the mid-1990s including new build, acquisition and mergers, Haig now has over 1,500 properties located mainly on small estates throughout the British Isles, each with its own history of benevolence and support.

The charity has always had Royal

Patronage, from the Prince of Wales in 1928 through to our current monarch, Her Majesty The Queen.

GENERAL NEEDS HOUSING These properties, mostly built in the 1930’s, 50’s and 90’s, are situated on well managed estates of around 30 properties - although these can range in size from as few as 4 homes up to the largest estate in Morden with some 345.

The types of properties vary enormously and comprise familysized houses, maisonettes and smaller flats, suitable for large families to couples or individuals.

Often mistaken as a Housing Association, Haig Housing is a charitable provider of housing and its homes are available to qualifying beneficiaries at an appropriately lower rent, roughly comparable to that charged by local authorities to Council tenants.

Properties are available throughout the year and although turnover can be slow, especially

Ashtead Paul's Place

in some areas and in the southeast of England in particular, if you are in housing need then it is always worthwhile making an application.

APPLYING FOR HOUSING The main eligibility criteria are that you must have a British Armed Forces connection and be in housing need and in all case we advise you to visit our website at www.haighousing.org.uk and, under the Applying For Housing tab, read our Guide to Tenant Selection and Property Allocation.

We then ask that you use the online application form or else download a paper copy of this (and send when completed to our postal address). If applying online we first ask you to register for an applicant account. This then provides the opportunity to save a partially completed form and continue it at a later date (although it must be completed within 8 weeks of first registering).

Kulbir Thapa House

The Armed Forces charity directory

LATEST DEVELOPMENT The Trust’s latest development of 68 1-4 bed flats and 2-3 storey houses was opened on its headquarters estate in Morden, South London in October 2018 by Her Majesty The Queen.

These new homes have internet connections and are designed for the future with excellent insulation and solar panels.

Included are seven properties especially designed for disabled people with bathrooms and kitchens adapted for wheelchair use, including height adjustable working surfaces and with external mobility scooter storage.

Outside are several electric vehicle charging points with the ability to fit more.

The seven different blocks that make up the development are named after Her Majesty, five military and SOE Victoria and George Cross gallantry recipients and a popular local Ward Councillor who was the London Borough of Merton’s first Armed Forced Champion. They comprise Queen Elizabeth Terrace, Cyril Barton House (RAF), Albert Dugdale House (Army), Jack Cornwell House (RN), Kulbir Thapa House (Army), Odette Sansom House (SOE) and Maxi Martin House (former Merton councillor). The development also includes a memorial garden named after Sergeant Peter Walley RAF who rather than parachute out and risk his Hurricane crash into homes on the estate during the Battle of Britain, managed to hold it clear but was killed when he subsequently crashed on a neighbouring field.

TRANSITIONAL HOUSING The Trust also has a small development of 8 one-bedroomed homes on its Morden estate aimed at single beneficiaries or couples with no dependents which was opened by the then Chief of Defence People, Lieutenant General Richard Nugee CVO CBE in December 2017.

These are aimed primarily at Service leavers and other Veterans returning to the workplace with offers of or plans for work in London but who would not otherwise be able to afford the high costs of London’s commercial rental market. Available on renewable tenancies for at least 2 years, at 60% of the going commercial rate, these aim to provide a housing ‘stepping stone’ until such time as the beneficiary is established in their new career and can more readily afford to move on to other accommodation.

The Armed Forces charity directory

THE TRUST, ITS PEOPLE AND SUPPORTERS People have always been at the heart of the charity, whether its beneficiaries, staff or supporters and the Trust has maintained set high standards and aimed to be different.

One recent initiative took place in 2018 when the Trust organised “The Long Walk Home”, a 100 mile pilgrimage walk of Veterans, serving personnel and reservists, from the Menin Gate in Ypres to the Cenotaph in Whitehall to recognise the Centenary of the ending of the Great War. The Walk culminated with the Nation’s annual Service of Remembrance on Armistice Day, Sunday 11th November.

The Trust was also one of the Service charities involved with the Tower of London ceramic poppy installation, “Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red” at the Tower of London that marked one hundred years since the first full day of Britain's involvement in the First World War. Created by artists Paul Cummins and Tom Piper, 888,246 ceramic poppies were used in the installation. The Trust was subsequently one of those to benefit enormously from their sale.

CONTACT US If you have any questions about applying to be housed by Haig Housing that are not answered on our website or have any other questions then please contact the Trust at: Email: enquiries@haighousing.org.uk Telephone: 020 8685 5777 Website: www.haighousing.org.uk Address: Haig Housing Trust, Alban Dobson House, Green Lane, Morden SM4 5NS Charity Registration Number: 1125556 Scotland Charity Number: SCO40058 England and Wales Company Registration Number: 6593129

33

10 YEARS WHAT A JOURNEY!

MILITARY TO CONSTRUCTION HOME FROM HOME BuildForce have a successful track record in transitioning our Service Leavers and Veterans into professional careers in construction including Site Manager Site Supervisor, Engineers, Logisticians, Project Managers, Designers, Risk Advisors, Health & Safety Managers, Quality Compliance Managers and Quantity Surveyors to name a few.

We cover trade roles and plant operators, throughout the UK. We also have experts supporting those becoming self-employed and those setting up their own companies.

We cover construction, homebuilding, infrastructure, logistics, utilities, security, engineering and facilities management. Our sustainable vision centres around longterm careers which are both challenging and rewarding.

Register at: info@buildforce.org.uk

BUILDFORCE ARE HERE TO HELP BuildForce is a Community Interest Company, set up and run by the construction industry. We are dedicated to improving skills and diversity in industry by recruiting from the incredible talent of our Service Leavers and Veterans in the Royal Air Force, British Army, Royal Navy and Royal Marines.

Our services focus on making industry more accessible with transparency on careers available.

34

BuildForce celebrate 10 years of successfully transitioning Service Leavers and Veterans into construction.

W

ith a buzz around BuildForce and it being one of the most recommended programmes amongst Service Leavers looking to get into construction, we take a closer look at their achievements and what has made them so special.

Richard Castell, Operational Relationship Manager, Amey and BuildForce Champion “It quickly became apparent that the decision by Amey in late 2019 to support the Buildforce programme and become an alliance partner was a good one. Our sector needs talented motivated and reliable staff and those with a service background invariably fit the bill. Buildforce takes a professional, systematic approach to supporting veterans, service leavers, service spouses and reservists. It works. In the 14 months since our initial involvement we now have a network of 26 mentors across the business and a team of senior recruiters who now understand the broader transferable skills of service personnel and can advise on opportunities within the business. This has resulted in many Buildforce referrals now being employed within Amey and, without exception, they are performing well. We look forward to continued engagement confident that in doing so we will continue to gain much benefit.”

Dewet Du Plessis, RM Cpl, placed as Assistant Logistics Manager with HS2 JV EKFB “BuildForce has opened the door to not just one or two areas of the construction industry, but enlightened me to opportunities and a potential new career avenue that I never would have thought of. From the start of the journey at the initial Armed Forces Insight Day, where meeting and informally talking to a wide range of industry professionals, to the mentoring programme offered by Buildforce and visiting my mentor at the place of work and getting a “real life view” of the industry, has been a fully supported experience by the BuildForce Team. The support and advice on CV work and interview prep has been invaluable and unquestionably has helped me to secure my current role as an Assistant Logistics Manager with EKFB JV. BuildForce is a truly fantastic organisation with the most enthusiastic team that always seem to find time to lend advice or make introductions for exforces into the building industry.”

BuildForce was formed in 2011 and launched a pilot programme involving 6 major construction organisations. With the pilot being a huge success, we roll forward 10 years with construction organisations and the wider built environment up and down the country signed up to their alliance; hundreds of industry mentors now trained and practising with even more Service Leavers and Veterans in long-term careers in the construction industry. It is fair to say that BuildForce have earned their stripes.

The role played by BuildForce is especially important given that The Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) claims the shortfall in the number of skilled construction workers in the UK is currently at its highest point since 2007. The industry clearly needs to attract a fresh, dynamic and engaged workforce to keep up with demand. BuildForce aim to present the reality of the construction industry as one that is accessible to all ranks – from private through to brigadier– and offers genuine potential for career progression. Having a framework that engages with and understands the individual’s needs and capabilities is what underpins the successful achievements of BuildForce.

The Armed Forces charity directory

HIGHLIGHTS •S igning the Armed Forces Covenant in 2019 and achieving silver in 2020 Caroline Logan BuildForce Programme Director: “I am delighted to be signing The Armed Forces Covenant on behalf of BuildForce. I have enjoyed supporting our ex-military candidates into an industry which is often over-looked; helping them to realise their true potential and transferable skills has been the highlight of my career and being instrumental in their next chapter has been a great honour.”

• I ndustry Insight Days running across the country A Service Leaver commented: “My BuildForce experience has been a success and especially through the insight days. In my case with Faithful & Gould picking up on my CV and short conversations that ultimately led to interviews and a role. For me, this is just one of several indications of the construction industry being open to recognising potential in Ex-Service personnel and their skills.”

• UCEM Learning Modules go live UCEM Principal, Ashley Wheaton, commented: “I am delighted that we are taking the lead in providing online learning modules for Veterans about the construction industry. BuildForce does such great work in plotting career paths for service leavers within the construction industry and I am glad that we can add

The Armed Forces charity directory

our name to the list of industry partners the programme works with to support both personnel and the industry.”

• Partnership with HS2 In January 2021, HS2 confirmed the appointment of BuildForce as their military Job Brokerage Partner. Brigadier (Retired) Mike Hickson OBE, HS2 Ltd.’s Programme Integration Office (PIO) Director said: “I’m really pleased to see this initiative launched and delighted that HS2 is involving BuildForce as its military job brokerage partner. Together with its wide network of referral organisations, BuildForce will give sight of opportunities to the wider armed forces community and, by giving access to veterans, build on the successes already achieved in supporting individuals into civilian employment with our contractors delivering the HS2 programme. This is a first for a large UK infrastructure project and it really demonstrates how HS2 and its supply chain is providing opportunities to communities up and down the line of route.”

Caroline Logan, BuildForce Programme Director added: “I am absolutely delighted to cement our ongoing relationship with HS2 and its construction partners, recognising the great work we are already doing in this space; connecting our military personnel to sustainable employment across the project from logistics to project management to plant operators, to mention just a few roles we have successfully placed over the years. We are looking forward to working with HS2’s wider supply chain; building on our Mentor network and Work Placement programme, creating more opportunities for our candidates and a wealth of talent for HS2.”

NEW NORMAL

“What an achievement” Angela Forbes, Chief Exec “As a collective we formed in 2011, with a shared vision of what could be possible. By 2012 our pilot was launched, and in some respects, it only feels like yesterday. Here we are in 2021, just as focused and determined to support those who have served our county.

We have certainly made headway and are making huge strides to improve access to the construction industry, in both raising the profile of our ex-Services personnel and in supporting them secure long-term careers. We are certainly up for the challenge and our future is already looking bright with recent announcements like our appointment as military employment broker on HS2.

So in ten years, what are my highlights? I love people; I love talking to people; I love hearing their story and I absolutely love seeing them progress. That, without doubt is my highlight. My maternal Grandfather was a Marine in World War II and my paternal Grandfather was a construction director, so creating BuildForce was destined to happen I suppose.

Personally, as a Glasgow girl standing in the Houses of Parliament and the Tower of London, at our BuildForce launch events was pretty good. Getting the Royal Seal of Approval with funding from The Royal Foundation was quite special. Holding my baby whilst I signed the contract for our Veteran programme in 2019 was quite special, it happened at home on our dining room table (with our builders working on the other side of the partition).

What comes flooding back is how I felt through it all. The feeling of joy at every step forward, every triumph for our military guys and girls. Even the worry. Are we doing all we can? How can we be better? I treasure every text and every thank you email from our Service Leavers and Veterans.

We are still growing and have more major achievements in the pipeline. I suppose this is only the beginning.”

During this current tumultuous period, all aspects of our personal and work lives have changed.

The coronavirus pandemic is having widespread implications for business continuity across the entire economy, and all industries and market sectors are adapting to a very different operational landscape. The construction industry is no exception, although it has been one of the first sectors to return to work and the government has stated that it will be identifying public sector projects that could be brought forward or accelerated.

This suggests that there will be many opportunities for ex-service personnel and we have ramped up our online support and social media presence. In addition, we are also hosting fortnightly discipline career chats with our alliance partners sharing their transitions and a ‘day in the life of’ followed by a Q&A led by the Angela Forbes.

Visit our events page www.buildforce.org.uk/events to view 2021 schedule of events Our main focus has been our mental health offering. At the start of lockdown we converted our face-to-face programmes to be online, including our stress management course. Bernie Graham, BuildForce psychologist commented “We’ve seen a steady attendance rate throughout lockdown with similar themes arising on each course. Many of our Service Leavers and Veterans are anxious about their future, worried for their family and are struggling to cope with isolation. The course focuses on identifying triggers which will affect their mental health and we provide coping mechanisms and signposting to further support. I am also available for confidential 1-2-1 sessions.”

CONTACT DETAILS buildforce.org.uk info@buildforce.org.uk BuildForce Programme | LinkedIn BuildForce | Facebook BuildForce (@build_force)/Twitter 35

"

Building Heroes really sent me in the right direction to my perfect career. My eyes were opened to a whole new career path and without the course I would not be in the position I am today.

"

Ellis Jewell, Building Heroes graduate, 2020

CASE STUDY Plymouth graduate Zoe on how Building Heroes gave her a second chance.

“You don’t realise that you’ve been in this protected bubble, it’s so easy to feel lost. When I left the Army, I was in that difficult transition phase, with no idea of what I wanted to do next. Before I joined the Armed Forces, I tried to get an apprenticeship in construction, but there just wasn’t an opportunity for me. Building Heroes has given me a second chance. It’s the best course I could have gone on. They didn’t just teach us the hands-on skills we needed, in just a few weeks they changed how we all felt. I feel confident with everything I’ve learnt, so much so that I’m going to work on my own house.

I got to meet Steve from Steve Hoskin Construction Ltd on the course, sent them my CV, went to a couple of interviews, and got the job offer I wanted - it was amazing! The course helped me find exactly what I wanted to do and gave me the introduction I needed. I enjoyed everything we learnt throughout the course, but the health and safety side became the one thing that I really wanted to do. So, I’m really excited to be starting my career as a Health and Safety Advisor.”

36

TRANSFER YOUR MILITARY SKILLS INTO

CONSTRUCTION WITH BUILDING HEROES The military charity that provides fully funded construction and engineering training for veterans, service leavers and their families, has now launched a veteran-only property maintenance company.

I

f you’re considering a career in construction, then military charity Building Heroes provides the perfect starting point. Established in 2014, the organisation now delivers its training programme at 12 centres across the country and recently celebrated its 1000th graduate.

Aiming to tackle unemployment amongst those who have kept

us safe by offering them a seamless transition to a new career in construction, Building Heroes currently provides 5-week Construction Skills and Engineering Operations courses that can easily be fitted in to your resettlement timetable.

The construction course offers a grounding in bricklaying, plastering, plumbing, painting and The Armed Forces charity directory

decorating, tiling and carpentry/ joinery, while the engineering course includes using abrasive wheels, hand tools and power tools, hand fitting techniques, forming and assembling pipework systems and general fabrication and welding. All courses include a formal qualification as well as Health & Safety training and the chance to earn your CSCS card, a must for working on construction sites. Service leavers, veterans and all the forces family are welcome to apply, and all courses are at nocost to the learner.

EMPLOYMENT SUPPORT Following the course, the organisation will look to support graduates into employment, self-employment or further training within the industry, through its network of national and regional employers, which include industry giants Wates, Barratt Homes, Eurovia, Vistry Group, Engie, Bouyges and VolkerWessels. Everyone on the course is supported by an RWPO (Recruitment, Welfare & Progression Officer). The officer acts as the main point of contact for learners, offering welfare support for the duration of the course and up to six months after the course, plus assisting in finding suitable onward career pathways. The choice of careers available is vast. While many graduates have set up as self-employed maintenance operatives, or started property development businesses, others have secured jobs as Trainee Site Managers, School Caretakers, Mechanical Testing Engineers, Building Managers, Trainee Carpenters, Highways Maintenance Operatives, Yard Managers, Labourers, Gas Engineers, Health and Safety Officers and so on.

The team behind Building Heroes has a plethora of experience and talent within the construction industry, interspersed with personnel familiar with education development, recruitment, mental health support, employability skills and, of course, the military and resettlement phase. They include Chief Executive, Brendan Williams, who was born into a long line of specialist Master The Armed Forces charity directory

Bricklayers and who helped start the charity in 2014. Alongside Brendan, you will find employees such as Employer Engagement Officer Simone Halliwell, who has vast experience of military relocation having married into the armed forces, alongside having a son who now serves in the Royal Navy, and RWPO John Simpson who has served a combined total of 35 years in the military and the Home Office.

BUILDING HEROES PROPERTY SERVICES When you graduate from the Building Heroes Education Foundation you will have the opportunity to apply to join Building Heroes Property Services, a veteran-only Property Maintenance company. This initiative has been set up to provide a direct progression pathway for Building Heroes graduates (alongside other skilled veterans working in the industry, such as Electricians and Gas Engineers) into the property maintenance industry, linking a community of local military tradespeople with customers looking for home improvements and other maintenance services.

Building Heroes Property Services was launched in Colchester and Portsmouth in November, two forces-friendly cities with high concentrations of Building Heroes graduates, with plans to expand nationally throughout 2021.

Brendan Williams explains why ex-forces provide such a good fit for the construction industry. “They’re always on time, they never let you down and they work in teams very easily. They bring reliability,

CASE STUDY Ross Ardley on how he’s building his own business, and joining Property Services!

“The course helped me mentally and physically and gave me confidence

resilience, problem solving and a desire to work, they’re not shirkers, they’re workers. Creating new opportunities for veterans is really important, and my experience is that they’re great staff. I tend to tell the employers we work with, ‘Don’t hire one, hire a few. If you hire a few they’ll improve the productivity of your organisation dramatically.”

FURTHER EXPANSION Alongside the Property Services company, the Building Heroes Education Foundation also has plans to expand its offer next year with new training centres in the West Midlands and South Wales, and the introduction of ‘pop-up’ centres.

Following a partnership with Sherford Skills Centre in Plymouth - where Building Heroes trainees were taught on the site of a huge housing development, thereby providing excellent links to local job opportunities - the charity plans to set up more ‘popup’ training sites linked directly to large-scale, long-term builds across the UK. It is also looking to diversify its training offer to cover key construction disciplines such as Introduction to the Built Environment and Groundworks and Civils.

The charity’s Chief Operating Officer Karen Jefford told us: ‘The building industry is such a great route for service leavers.

They bring a great number of transferable skills, and as an essential service, it’s one industry that hasn’t stopped during the current crisis. With Boris Johnson’s Build Back Better initiative, it’s a fantastic industry that continues to grow, and we aim to grow with it.’

with the knowledge that I could do this as a career. I have completed two house renovations, and some work on local shops. I’m now on my third house renovation and am looking into K Rendering and specialising in this, as it is a big thing within the building trade at the moment. I joined the Building Heroes Property Services team because after 22 years of helping my country I wanted to continue helping people alongside my fellow ex-service men and women. I made a friend on the course who I have hooked up with to work on and share jobs with, and other graduates I can call on to help out if I need. It’s great to develop that sense of community outside of the services.”

CASE STUDY Our graduate Dean Horton on how our Construction Skills course helped him find employment. ”Since the course, I applied for a job as a Trainee Assistant Site Manager with Barratt Developments and I was successful. I have utilised so many skills from the course. I am able to manage and communicate effectively with the trades on site because of the insight the course gave me; having a basic knowledge of what the trades do and how they do it has given me a lot of credibility. I enjoy the working environment, which is very similar to the military environment. I enrolled on the course with a plan to be self employed as a handyman, however, the course gave me such a fantastic insight into the construction industry and opened my eyes to other opportunities. I am eternally grateful for the experience and how it has led me to where I am now.

The Building Heroes course has, without doubt, contributed to me being successfully employed in the construction industry and in a job that has excellent prospects.”

APPLY You can apply for a course at www.buildingheroes.org. uk or book a Building Hero to do some work around your property at propertyservices. buildingheroes.org.uk Building Heroes is a registered charity and as a result anyone can help the initiative by donating. Donations can be made via its website.

37

ARMY FAMILIES FEDERATION The Army Families Federation (AFF) is the voice of Army families, wherever they are in the world.

A

FF is a charitable incorporated organisation and operates under a constitution approved by the Charities Commission. We are funded by a combination of public and non-public funding as well as outside sponsorship raised for one-off events and projects.

AFF represents all members of a soldier’s family.

PURPOSE • AFF voices the views of Army families to policy makers and aids communication between policy makers and families.

• AFF pushes for policy change where families’ views suggest that improvements are needed.

• AFF monitors implementation of policy and highlights areas for improvment as well as highlighting best practice.

• AFF signposts families to organisations that can support them, particularly those families who prefer to seek help from a body independent of the chain of command.

• AFF provides easy-to-digest, current information to Army families through our website social media and flagship magazine, Army&You

WHAT WE DO FORCES FAMILIES JOBS Forces Families Jobs is an employment and training platform designed to support Service families into meaningful employment and provide opportunities for training and development.

It’s being delivered by a triService partnership between the Naval Families Federation (NFF), Army Families Federation (AFF) and Royal Air Force Families Federation (RAF-FF).

FFJ is a platform that bridges the gap between spouses, partners and family members of current serving personnel, organisations who have signed the Armed Forces Covenant and organisations offering training and development opportunities as well as access to career-related information.

Who can use it?

1. Employers who have signed the Armed Forces Covenant 2. Training providers who demonstrate a commitment to the Armed Forces community 3. S pouses, partners and family members of current serving military personnel For more, log on to forcesfamiliesjobs.co.uk

38

The Army Families Federation (AFF) is the independent voice of Army families and works hard to improve the quality of life for Army families around the world – on any aspect that is affected by the Army lifestyle.

AFF is independent of the Army and offers confidential advice. We will deal with your enquiry without revealing your identity.

AFF is often pivotal in achieving improvements for Army families such as changes to Government and military policy and changes to how things are provided for families. AFF does not do this by itself; our role is to highlight problems to the chain of command or service providers, and to work with them and other agencies to improve the support they provide to Service families.

AFF also provides a signposting service to help you find the right person to speak to, as well as providing useful information for Army families through its website.

HOW DO WE GET THINGS CHANGED? AFF works at a local level directly with families and local command. We’ll speak to Unit Welfare Officers and our specialists can help liaise with service providers with whom we have excellent contacts.

At a strategic level we work with Senior Command and our

Chief Executive works with the most senior Army commanders and Government. AFF collects evidence from families about issues that are of concern, and collates this information in a database. We use this data to inform the chain of command what families are concerned about; we also produce a report called Families' Concerns.

AFF collects information by speaking to families either face–toface when out in the community, on the telephone, via emails, feedback on our website, and through social media.

WHY SHOULD YOU CONTACT AFF? Contact your local AFF Regional Lead if you want help with a local issue or for specific advice, contact one of our Specialists. Regional Leads and Specialists will raise issues with the appropriate senior managers when it is necessary to highlight individual issues to senior command.

If you want something changed – anything to do with your life as an Army family – tell us about it. We will negotiate and liaise with command and service providers and your evidence can help us to approach the Army and the Government to offer a better life for Army families.

WHAT DOES THE ARMED FORCES COVENANT MEAN FOR ARMY FAMILIES? The Covenant provides support in a number of key areas for Army families including: • Housing • Education • Spousal employment • Health and social care • Money, and access to commercial products and services.

It also aims to help Reserves and Service leavers too, offering support with maintaining or changing your career.

WHAT IS THE ARMED FORCES COVENANT? It is a promise from the nation ensuring that those who serve or have served in the Armed Forces, and their families, are treated fairly.

It covers two key principles: •T he Armed Forces community should face no disadvantage in the provision of public and commercial services compared to other citizens.

• S pecial consideration should be given when required, such as to the injured or the bereaved.

All local authorities in mainland UK and over 7,000 companies have now signed the Covenant, including AFF in our capacity as an employer.

DOES THE COVENANT APPLY TO ME? The Covenant applies to all members of the Armed Forces community, wherever you live. It is interpreted in different ways locally depending on local needs, including in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. However, this means there is no standard delivery model, which can be frustrating as families’ experiences of the Covenant vary.

HOW DOES AFF USE THE ARMED FORCES COVENANT? As part of our core work, AFF collects families’ issues. This evidence is used to open up discussions with policy makers in central and local government, and with private companies, about things that AFF believes should be changed.

We also work with Defence Relationship Management (DRM), the part of MOD responsible for recruiting corporate Covenant signatories and helping them live up to the commitments they have made.

Some examples of how AFF has used the Covenant as a lever for change are: • A n extension to the circumstances in which Service Family Accommodation may be retained.

• T he exemption of Army families from the three-month residence rule that applies to anyone wanting to apply for Job Seekers’ Allowance who has arrived in the UK for the first time or is returning after a period of being abroad.

• T he main mobile phone providers in the UK have amended their policies so that family members can now suspend their contract for up to two years while they are overseas.

WHO IS INVOLVED IN DELIVERING THE ARMED FORCES COVENANT? Although not a legal document, the Secretary of State for Defence is required by law to present an annual report on the Covenant to Parliament each year.

Other groups committed to the Covenant include: • Central and local government • T he Armed Forces • Employers •C harities, and local communities

The Armed Forces charity directory

OVERVIEW ‘Transition’ is the process that soldiers and their families go through when preparing to leave the Army. Transition is a unique experience for everyone – what to do and when to do it will vary depending on your family’s needs.

AFF has worked with the other Families Federations to research families’ experiences of leaving the Army. The project helped us understand the challenges that families face and the help they need.

We are using this evidence to help change policy and service provision with the aim of improving families’ experiences of transition. The learning from the research has been embedded across the AFF team so that our regional leads and specialists can support you if you need help with your own transition.

WHAT ISSUES COULD YOU TELL US ABOUT? We will help with any issue you have as an Army family. Maybe you have come to a deadend through your own efforts and are not satisfied with the answers you have been given or perhaps you want to highlight an issue so that AFF can work on it.

Some of the main areas we deal with are:• Housing • Health and additional needs • Education and childcare • Employment and training • Foreign and commonwealth • Army Reserve • Deployments • Money matters • Family life

The Armed Forces charity directory

WHAT OUR FAMILIES SAY ABOUT AFF “AFF - just a thank you for all that you do!!”

“What an awesome organisation” “Thank you so much Army Families Federation!”

11,177enquiries received in 2020 10,000+followers on Facebook 32,687unique website views during May

CONTACT AFF AFF, IDL 414, Floor 1, Zone 6, Ramillies Building, Marlborough Lines, Monxton Road, Andover SP11 8HJ. 01264 554004 contact@aff.org.uk 39

WHY THE RUGBY COMMUNITY?

HOW IT ALL STARTED Shocked by the realities of the Afghanistan war, a group of professional rugby players at Gloucester Rugby Football Club, had an overwhelming desire to help the military community.

There was no escaping the tragic loss of lives and high numbers of wounded soldiers who were facing life changing injuries, and these rugby players wanted to show that the rugby community cared. From this desire to help, the Rugby For Heroes Charity was formed and in 2011, charitable trust status was approved.

OUR PATRONS One of those professional rugby players was Mike Tindall MBE, who now presides as the Charity’s main Patron.

Mike, an active and engaged Patron, gets a huge amount of satisfaction and enjoyment from raising money to help military personnel and support good causes. Mike recognises from his own experience as 40

a professional sportsman, just how difficult it can be to transition to a ‘normal’ life after retirement. Having enjoyed sport at the highest level, with England, Gloucester and Bath, Mike now finds that raising money to help others in need, is a hugely rewarding aspect of his life. Mike believes it is important to put back into society and is passionate about helping our military personnel.

Our other Patron, Nick Knowles, is best known for his presenting roles on the BBC. Nick, who is also a writer and musical artist, has featured in many popular family game shows, but since 1999 is best known for hosting the hugely successful DIY SOS show. Nick is deeply passionate about helping others and has actively raised funds for many different charities. A proud supporter of our Armed Forces, he first got involved with Rugby For Heroes in 2016, and since then has done exceptional work, often behind the scenes, to support the military community.

OUR AMBASSADORS The Charity is fortunate to have some amazing ambassadors onboard, who do a tremendous job raising awareness of the Charity, and its value to both the military and rugby communities. Our ambassadors are all passionate volunteers, who give their time freely to support our Trustees and promote our many fundraising events. They reach out willingly to people and organisations and inspire new fundraising activities.

From international rugby stars like South African and Gloucester wing/ full back, Thinus Delport and Ryan Jones, a triple Grand Slam winning Wales rugby captain, through to Kelly Sotherton MBE, a triple Olympic Medallist in Heptathlon and 4x400m and actor Julian Lewis Jones, who has starred in many films and TV shows. To meet more of our ambassadors, go to info@ rugbyforheroes.org.uk

WHAT DO WE DO? Rugby For Heroes aims to raise funds to help service leavers who are in transition from a career in

There is a real synergy with a career in the Armed Forces and that of a professional rugby player.

There is little doubt that life in the military can be a tough one, and the same can be said about the game of rugby. Battlefields and rugby pitches are places where it is all about teamwork, camaraderie, and above all respect for others. They are places where people who do get injured are never left behind.

The core values of the military have some obvious parallels with the sport of rugby and its these core values that Rugby For Heroes seeks to champion. Through its connections with professional rugby players and network of clubs, the Charity aspires to mobilise the rugby community to help.

the military and help them integrate back into their local communities.

The transition period can be quite a daunting time for many, so the Charity, through the sport of rugby, looks to provide a friendly face, and a package of support that is tailored to meet their individual needs. This can range from simple tasks like mentoring or helping them to draft a CV, through to assisting in their search for future employment. The Charity will also provide grants to help individuals with more complex The Armed Forces charity directory

in their feedback, good news stories and testimonials. More information about the course can be found at info@rugbyforheroes.org.uk.

COURSE ATTENDEE SHAUN SHARES HIS OWN MENTAL HEALTH STRUGGLES

"

There's so many things that the military are doing for us without us knowing. I just wanted to thank them all.

You are all doing an amazing job

Nick Knowles

"

needs, like home improvement projects, and in 2016 we were delighted to gift £70,000 to our charity partners, for their own worthy projects. However, the main activity that we raise funds for is to finance our very own flagship venture, the Transition Through Rugby (TTR) courses, so that service leavers can attend it completely free of charge.

TRANSITION THROUGH RUGBY (TTR) COURSE Our Transition Through Rugby course has been designed to bring together like-minded people into a safe and supportive environment.

The camaraderie and teamwork experienced in a military career is replicated throughout the course and is accessible to all retired and current serving members of the Armed Forces, who are in their final two years of service.

The Charity aims to run 4 courses a year, and each course is completely free of charge to attendees. Founded upon the Rugby Football Union core values of teamwork, respect, enjoyment, discipline, and sportsmanship, this week long course has been carefully structured to enable attendees to complete the mandatory course requirements to achieve the entry level, England Rugby Coaching Award (ERCA). This award has been accredited as a Level 2 coaching qualification by UK Coaching Courses (UKCC) and is recognised by all UK rugby clubs.

The measure of success of the course has been provided by previous attendees, who have resoundingly endorsed the course The Armed Forces charity directory

Shaun Jefferies served with 4 RIFLES and completed tours in Iraq and Afghanistan before leaving the Army in 2014. He loved his ten years in the military, but after the loss of his brother, Shaun found himself struggling with his own mental health. Recognising he had a problem, he sought help from many different avenues, and found that Rugby For Heroes was one of the most effective outlets.

“Rugby for me was an outlet to start with, and then it became a brotherhood.”

COURSE ATTENDEE LEE COLE - NOW PART OF THE RUGBY FOR HEROES FAMILY Lee served with REME for over 20 years and attended his course in 2016. Since then, he has become a permanent fixture for the Charity.

Lee, who is now the Charity’s Events Secretary, is passionate about giving back and supporting service personnel during a challenging time.

time of development for the Charity. We will continue to run our Transition Through Rugby courses, and alongside them we are looking to introduce a new Continuous Development Programme, aimed at enhancing the qualifications of those who have already completed that course. From feedback we have also identified a requirement to introduce an aspect of psychological health support into our courses, using rugby as the foundation for this.

We will also be exploring opportunities that could see us expand, and we want to reach out further, both nationally and internationally with our courses and fund-raising program.

Rugby For Heroes believes passionately that the rugby community offers a sense of belonging, which military personnel relate to. We are always looking to develop our network of helpers’ fundraisers and specialists. So, if you want to support, and have a passion for rugby, then now is an exciting time to get onboard with the Charity.

Please get in touch, as we would love to hear from you:

CONTACT US

"The network Rugby For Heroes has created for me, has opened up avenues and opportunities that I wouldn’t normally ever have had."

3, St James Court, 285 Barton St, Gloucester GL1 4JE, UK Phone: 01452 308038 Email: info@rugbyforheroes.org.uk

TTR COURSE GRADUATE STARTS UP “RUGBY ACTIVE” PROGRAM

Registered as a charity in England and Wales Charity Number: 1140439 Established 2011

A MESSAGE FROM OUR CHAIRMAN, SIMON BAILEY - HOW YOU CAN HELP The Charity relies on donations, merchandise sales, sponsorship, and income from fund-raising events. As a result, the Charity has been able to fund 14 Transition Through Rugby courses and has achieved its primary aim by helping 160 service men and women transition back into their local communities. We see this as a remarkable achievement but recognise that more can be done.

Many of these students have since gone on to use their qualification and secured coaching positions, and some have even found full time employment at professional rugby clubs.

To continue doing the good work, we need more fundraisers and new sponsors. So, if you want to get involved with the Charity, we would love to hear from you. Please contact us at info@ rugbyforheroes.org.uk

Paul Willison, a retired medic, graduated from his Transition Through Rugby course in October 2018, and since then has been busy coaching rugby teams. More recently he launched his own initiate called Rugby Active, which is a fun and inclusive rugby programme for children of all ages and abilities to enjoy in school, and at holiday camps. When asked how the Transition Through Rugby course had helped him, Paul responded...

“The course is great. It gives you all the qualifications you need to get started at a club and the rest is up to you. Rugby gives you a new circle of friends, which is important after being away from your hometown for so long.”

THE CHARITY IS LOOKING FORWARD

"

We are always looking to improve the holistic support we can offer to our servicemen and women, so the next few years will be an exciting

Often when servicemen and women leave the military they struggle with their resettlement. I feel we owe them a huge debt of gratitude and should help them reintegrate back into society.

Mike Tindall MBE

"

41

THE OFFICE FOR VETERANS’ AFFAIRS’

Set up in 2019 in the Cabinet Office, the Office for Veterans’ Affairs’ aim is to drive cross-government implementation of the Strategy for our Veterans, and it has been great to see other departments join us in backing our veterans.

M

ost recently, this has included a launch by DWP of dedicated Armed Forces Champions in each of their JobCentre Plus groups to support ex-servicemen and women.

Reinforcing the importance of transitioning into civilian life, many Champions are veterans themselves.

Our ongoing work with the Department of Health and Social Care and NHS England to make sure veterans and their families can access the care and support they need through Op Courage, as well as collaboration with MHCLG and DCMS on housing and loneliness, shows the strength of the Cabinet Office in bringing teams and issues together to enable change.

Alongside other government departments, our veterans are supported immensely by charities across the country, who provide targeted support to members of the armed forces community and their families. Over the past year, we have seen charities provide incredible support to veterans during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The government recognises the incredible contributions of these

42

charities - recently, both the Taxi Charity for Military Veterans and Walking with the Wounded received the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service for their services to communities during the pandemic.

The Taxi Charity has recently supported veteran Harry White, the oldest person to take part in the o2 roof walk. Walking with the Wounded’s Op-REGEN project has also encouraged veterans to support charitable initiatives, providing over 3000 meals to those in isolation in Greater Manchester.

Minister for Defence People and Veterans, Leo Docherty, has spoken with many charities while in his role, who have provided support to veterans. On his first visit as minister, he visited Stoll, a charity which provides housing solutions to vulnerable veterans. Most recently, the minister visited St Pancras hospital to speak with service users, staff members and charity partners who support the new Op Courage service - working alongside NHS England to ensure that those who need mental health and wellbeing support are able to do so.

Charities would not be able to offer this fantastic array of support to our veterans without the incredible work of fundraisers like Jack Berry - who recently won

the Prime Minister’s Points of Light award for his work raising money for SSAFA. Many charities have seen a decrease in income throughout the pandemic. The Government has provided unprecedented support, including the Job Retention Scheme and COVID Impact Fund to enable charities to continue to offer support. However, this can not wholly replace charities’ income, making the work of fundraisers like Jack and private donors now more important than ever.

We want to make this the best country in the world to be a veteran.

Later this year we’ll be publishing the next phase of our Veterans Strategy Action Plan, and we’re already seeing brilliant collaboration across government.

The Armed Forces charity directory

EXTRA FUNDING FOR SERVICE CHARITIES AS VETERANS’ SUPPORT IS STEPPED UP • £6-million of new funding announced for 100 military charities across the UK • consultation will be launched in July on tax relief for businesses that employ veterans • enhanced support for ex-service personnel announced during Armed Forces week part of government’s drive to make the UK the best country to be a veteran.

The Office for Veterans’ Affairs (OVA) and the MOD have announced that 100 UK Armed Forces charities will benefit from nearly £6-million of extra funding to support serving personnel, veterans and their families during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

This is part of a package of support announced by the Chancellor in April to ensure

charities can continue their vital work during the pandemic.

The charities in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland that are benefiting from this funding range from smaller local charities to bigger, more well-known names.

The charities provide support to veterans and serving personnel in a range of different areas, including employment, mental health and well-being, physical health, and recovery and support for service families.

As part of the government’s commitment to supporting service personnel throughout their military and civilian lives, next month a consultation will also be launched on employers paying no National Insurance contributions on the salary of any veteran they take on during their first year of civilian employment.

This delivers on the government’s manifesto commitment to encourage businesses to further utilise the immense skills and experience that veterans can bring to businesses.

Minister for Defence People and Veterans Johnny Mercer said: We mark and give thanks to our veterans for the outstanding service which they have given to this country.

To show our appreciation we’re advancing veterans issues across government, through the Office for Veterans’ Affairs. I’m delighted as well to confirm extra funding for service charities to help them through the COVID-19 pandemic.

Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak said: If it wasn’t for the brave servicemen and women who serve and protect our country, we would not have a United Kingdom to call our home.

That’s why we must continue to do everything we can to support our veterans through these challenging times.

Under the plans announced in this year’s Budget, an employer taking on a veteran earning £25,000 will save around £2,000 in NICs. General Sir John McColl, Chairman of the Confederation of Service Charities, said:

The Armed Forces charity directory

This emergency funding is a very welcome step towards sustaining life-saving support for those in need across the Armed Forces Community. The Service Charity Sector has once again demonstrated great imagination and determination in adapting its delivery methods during this crisis, and we look forward to continuing to work with the MOD and the OVA to sustain these vital services in the coming months as the true impact of the pandemic is fully felt by charities throughout the Sector.

Employers currently pay Employers’ National Insurance contributions of 13.8% of the employee’s salary. Under this measure, they will be able to save this cost on an employee’s salary up to the Upper Earnings Limit (£50,000).

Recently the OVA announced the launch of a study to look at whether COVID-19 has had any specific impact on the veteran community in the UK. This in turn will allow policy makers in government to understand potential issues affecting veterans and respond accordingly based on expert advice and evidence.

The OVA, which was created last year, is ensuring that the whole of government is delivering better outcomes for veterans, particularly in areas such as mental health, employment and housing. It is working in partnership with government departments, the Devolved Administrations and charities to coordinate activity across the United Kingdom.

The role of the OVA includes: • pulling together all functions of government, and better coordinating charity sector provision, in order to ensure this nation’s life-long duty to those who have served • ensuring that every single veteran and their family knows where to turn to access support when required • helping to generate a ‘single view of the veteran’ by making better use of data to understand veterans’ needs and where gaps in provision exist • improving the perception of veterans.

43

ANDY REID TO CLIMB

MOUNT KILIMANJARO

F

If you wish to support Andy’s Standing Tall Foundation please donate to: www.justgiving.com/ crowdfunding/standing-tallkilimanjaro-october If you are a business or organisation wishing to get involved with the foundation please email john@ standingtallfoundation.org.uk and ask about information on our Foundation Partners Club.

44

or many, scaling the majestic peaks of Mount Kilimanjaro would be a once in a lifetime opportunity, after all it holds the impressive titles of being Africa’s tallest mountain and the world’s largest free-standing mountain.

Scaling it twice then, would be an incredible feat, perhaps something you would share with the grandchildren around the dinner table on special occasions. Andy Reid MBE, founder and chairman of The Standing Tall Foundation, has his sights firmly set on scaling Kilimanjaro for a second time.

Impressive, right? However, let me explain to you that Andy is a triple amputee.

Andy was injured back in 2009 in Helmand Province, Afghanistan. Whilst on a routine foot patrol Andy unfortunately stepped on a pressure plate IED. He lost his right leg below the knee, left leg above the knee and his right arm. He was airlifted back to the UK where he spent days in a coma whilst doctors battled to save his life. Andy was not expected to come through this. Andy recalls his overriding focus once he regained consciousness, was “I’m a survivor, not a victim.”

Andy’s remarkable story was captured in his book ‘Standing Tall’ and on the success of this he decided to put his energy and focus into helping other people, especially veterans and disadvantaged people in the local and wider community. After a spell of helping to raise money for various local and national charitable organisations, through many diverse challenges, Andy decided to launch his own. The Standing Tall Foundation was born with the aim of supporting disadvantaged individuals

The Armed Forces charity directory

and veterans. This was the launch pad for the Kilimanjaro challenge.

Andy and forty participants will be climbing Kilimanjaro this October via the Machame route to Uhuru peak and back down again as a 7 day trek.

Andy is hoping this will raise in excess of £100,000 to put into the foundation to assist individuals in need of mental health and wellbeing support.

Andy is very much looking forward to the challenge, “I am really excited to be doing this challenge, I have some amazing people around me who immediately signed up to complete the challenge with me. At the forefront of our minds is the fact that we can raise enough funds to make a difference to disadvantaged and vulnerable people, especially those individuals who have been impacted even more by the pandemic. Some of the people in need of help were already in a vulnerable position before the Covid-19 outbreak and now many of those are at crisis point.

I needed to take action to support these guys and help them fight back. Poor mental health and well-being are often symptoms of a multitude of complex issues that many are facing, which given the current climate, has been magnified. Job loss, debt and isolation are just a few of the real challenges facing our communities”.

Andy is in preparation for this latest challenge and told us; “I’m going out on a hand-cycle nearly every day doing 20 to 30km and then I’m going up to the local park with the kids and getting lots of walking in, I’m just trying to build up the strength in my legs, really, so I can hopefully get to the top in one piece.”

Andy added, “The first time I scaled Kilimanjaro was before my injuries, whilst I was still in the Army. This time will be very different but I have the determination and motivation to succeed in order to help and support those going through some of their darkest days. If I can inspire or give hope to anyone going through crisis, then every step will have been worth it, no matter how hard”.

“The Standing Tall Foundation aims to support those most in need and as such we have developed a series of programmes and courses to address this. The Standing Tall Foundation has also been involved with many direct interventions for individuals who have needed an immediate resolution such as emergency mental health counselling and homelessness. It is my hope that through the money raised by completing the Kilimanjaro challenge, we will have the funds to offer more practical and emotional support through the foundation for these guys”.

Andy will certainly have plenty to tell his grandchildren in the future!

The trip is now taking place in March 2022, due to the Pandemic The Armed Forces charity directory

45

Redundancy Reservists cannot be made redundant due to training or mobilisation. They must be treated the same as other employees if there are redundancies because of closure or business problems.

HOW THE EMPLOYER IS NOTIFIED

DEFENCE RELATIONSHIP MANAGEMENT Defence Relationship Management (DRM) partners with organisations throughout the UK, helping them understand the value of signing the Armed Forces Covenant and building mutually beneficial partnerships with Defence. It provides support on employing Reservists, veterans, Cadet Force Adult Volunteers and military spouses and improving fairness for the Armed Forces community in the consumer market.

W

e offer advice and support on employing members of the armed forces community, and enables organisations to develop a mutually beneficial working relationship with the Ministry of Defence (MOD). By partnering with organisations throughout the UK, DRM aids them in understanding the value of signing the Armed Forces Covenant whilst also providing support on employing reservists, veterans, cadet force adult volunteers and military spouses and improving fairness for the armed forces community in the consumer market.

Defence is keen to establish open, strategic relationships with employers, tailoring partnering opportunities to mutual needs and business goals.

The ways we offer support include: • employment of reservists and support through flexible HR policies • employment of regular service personnel at the end of their

46

engagements, in collaboration with the Career Transition Partnership (CTP) • employment opportunities for service leavers with more challenging transitions including the wounded, injured and sick • employment of spouses/civil partners of service personnel • joint development of skills in areas such as engineering, medical, communications and cyber security • career opportunities and support for cadet adult instructors • tackling disadvantages faced by service personnel in the consumer market

RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES FOR EMPLOYERS AND RESERVISTS Reservists are men and women who give up their time to train and serve alongside the regular forces.

Reserve roles are diverse; as well

as taking part in operational deployments, reservists are called out to help to deal with emergency situations in the UK, undertake military ceremonial duties and engage with schools, young people and cadets.

At every stage of a reservist’s career, there are obligations for both reservists and employers. It’s important to be aware of these as some are governed by law (e.g. the legal right to reinstatement in civilian jobs after a period of mobilised service).

Find out about your legal rights and responsibilities as an employer or reservist with regard to: Members of the reserve armed forces (reservists) and their employers have certain rights and responsibilities when a reservist: Financial support is available for both employers and reservists when they’re called up.

Time off for training Employers do not have to allow time off for training, but may choose to. Training for reservists is usually made up of: • one evening a week • several weekends throughout the year • a 15-day training course each year

Reservists need to give their employer’s details to their commanding officer. Employers then usually get a letter from the Ministry of Defence (MOD) within 5 weeks of an employee signing up.

MOD does not contact employers in Northern Ireland, but reservists still need to give details of their employer to their commanding officer.

Reservists only have to tell their employer themselves if it’s a condition of their job that they do not take any other work.

When an existing reservist changes jobs. Reservists should tell their commanding officer, who’ll tell the new employer.

Asking MOD not to tell an employer. Reservists can ask MOD not to tell their employer if they have a good reason, for example it would put them at a disadvantage if their employer knew.

Apply to your commanding officer for an ‘employer notification waiver’.

The waiver lasts for 12 months, but you can apply to renew it.

If the reservist is called up In most cases the reservist will get 28 days’ notice when they’re called up (mobilised). They should let their employer know as soon as possible.

MOBILISATION Reservists will be sent a ‘callout notice’ if they’re needed for full-time service. This is known as ‘mobilisation’.

You must answer your call-out notice - the letter will tell you what to do. In most cases, reservists get 28 days’ notice, but they could get less if they’re needed urgently.

As a reservist, you should tell your employer as soon as possible when you know you’re being mobilised. Employers will also be sent a pack about their rights and responsibilities.

Financial assistance is available for both reservists and employers.

Employers can be fined in court and made to pay compensation if they end a reservist’s employment because of mobilisation.

After service, reservists have a right to return to the same job.

You can apply to delay or cancel mobilisation: •a s a reservist, if you’re called up at a difficult time (for example, The Armed Forces charity directory

you’re caring for someone or you’re in full-time education) • as an employer, if it would seriously harm your business (for example, by causing financial harm or making it difficult to produce goods or provide services) You can apply to: • defer mobilisation for up to a year - you’ll get a new date to report for duty • get an exemption for a year or more - you will not be called out again until it expires • cancel (revoke) mobilisation if you’ve already been mobilised Deadline for applying Reservists and employers must apply within 7 days of getting the call-out notice. If you miss this deadline, you’ll have to get permission from the adjudication officer to make a late application.

• financial support for reservists

FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR RESERVISTS If you’re called up for service you can claim financial support to cover: • t he difference between your civilian pay and your service pay • t he cost of any benefits in kind your employer stops The total amount you can claim is £400 a day. If you’re serving as a medical consultant with the defence medical services, you can claim up to £822 a day.

Company benefits You can claim for benefits normally provided by your employer, including: •h ealth insurance or medical care • l ife insurance •e ducation fees for dependent children • accommodation If you have to return a company car that’s used by your partner (for example, husband or wife), children or dependent relatives, you can claim £10.70 a day (around £325 a month).

Pension contributions While you’re mobilised you can either: •a sk for the days you’re mobilised to count towards the Armed Forces Pension Scheme •k eep contributing to your personal or work pension (the Ministry of Defence will pay your employer’s contributions) If you’re self-employed If you’re self-employed, a partner or a company director, you can claim for: The Armed Forces charity directory

• the difference between your service pay and earnings from your business • up to £2,000 business costs from stopping trading • agency fees and advertising for finding and training your replacement Expenses you cannot claim You cannot claim for expenses that you were already paying before you were mobilised. For example, you cannot claim for: • care of a dependent child or relative • care of a pet • house insurance • maintenance on your home How to claim Employees get instructions about how to claim in the mobilisation pack. If you’re self-employed, a partner or a company director, use the claim form for employers.

When to claim You can claim any time after your service begins and up to 4 weeks after it ends.

FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR EMPLOYERS You can claim financial support if a reservist you employ is called up.

Do not pay their salary or pension contributions while they’re away - the Ministry of Defence (MOD) pays these costs.

You’ll need to make changes in your payroll system.

You can apply to delay or cancel mobilisation if it will seriously harm your business.

What you can get You can claim financial assistance to cover: • the cost of a temporary replacement if it’s more than the reservist’s salary (up to £110 a day) • advertising costs and agency fees for finding a replacement a period of handover and takeover (5 days before and after mobilisation) • 75% of the cost of specialist clothing for the replacement (up to £300) • training costs for the replacement (up to £2,000) • overtime, if other employees cover the work • training the reservist needs to carry on their job when they return Extra support for small and medium-sized businesses You can claim £500 a month in addition to the costs of replacing and retraining the reservist unless both of the following apply:

• your annual turnover was more than £25.9 million in the 12 months before the reservist was called up • you had more than 250 employees or partners on the date of mobilisation

get permission from either their commanding officer or the demobilisation centre.

Employers cannot force a reservist to return to work before their leave finishes.

These are known as employer incentive payments.

Notice of returning to work Reservists should write to their employer as soon as they know when they can return to work.

This must be no later than the third Monday after their last day of service. Employers must re-employ them as soon as they’re able to.

What you cannot claim for You cannot claim for: • loss of profits, turnover or goodwill • your reservist’s salary or pension contributions if you keep paying them How to claim Download and fill in the claim form. Print it out, sign it and either scan and email it or post it. The addresses are on the form.

When to claim You can claim before the reservist leaves, but you will not get a payment until they’ve started service. You cannot claim later than 4 weeks after the last day of their service.

You can claim for costs as they arise - you do not have to claim for them all at once.

Costs for training should be claimed within 8 weeks of the end of the training.

Help for employers If you need further help, email Defence Relationship Management (DRM). employerrelations@rfca. mod.uk Payroll reporting for employers You’ll need to make some changes in your payroll software if your reservist is mobilised.

If their service will be less than 12 months Once they’ve started their service: • put ‘Yes’ in the ‘Irregular payment pattern indicator’ in the next Full Payment Submission (FPS) you send to HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) • change their tax code to ‘BR M1’ if they’re paid monthly, or ‘BR W1’ if it’s weekly If their service will be more than 12 months • Put a leaving date in your FPS and give them a P45. When they’re back from service, give them a new payroll ID.

Returning to the same job Reservists are entitled to return to the same type of job they were doing before they were mobilised, on the same terms and conditions.

If the job no longer exists, they’re entitled to a reasonable alternative.

How long reservists must be re-employed for Employers must offer reservists employment for a certain amount of time, depending on how long they were employed by them before mobilisation.

Weeks of employment before mobilisation

Number of weeks reservist must be reemployed for

Up to 13

At least 13

Between 13 and 51

At least 26

52 weeks or more

At least 52

Problems returning to work If you are not re-employed you can apply to a tribunal. They can instruct your former employer to re-employ you or award you financial compensation.

Write to the tribunal if, after telling your employer you’re returning to work: • you do not hear back from them • they will not re-employ you • they offer you a job you’re not happy with There are resources available that provide guidance and support on all aspects of employing reservists. Type in or click the link (if viewing online) www.gov. uk/government/publications/ reservist-employers-toolkit/ reservist-employer-toolkit

RETURNING TO WORK After service, reservists are given a period of leave. If they want to return to work before the end of their leave they must 47

HIGHGROUND HighGround is a charity set up in 2013 by Anna Baker Cresswell whose Mission is to improve the employment and wellbeing prospects of serving personnel and veterans using the green environment. Outdoor stuff for outdoor people in a nutshell...

T

he Charity is triservice and works with serving personnel and veterans (we call them HighGrounders) of all ranks and ages, across the UK and beyond.We receive no statutory funding and rely entirely on grant-making trusts and foundations and public donation to support and develop our work.

In January 2020 (great timing) we launched our Corporate Champions initiative with Barratt plc and Knight Frank as our first Corporate Champions.

Our Chairman Air Commodore (r’td) Ian Elliott signed the Armed Forces Covenant for HighGround in December 2020, and in Summer 2021 Tim Lever will join Team HighGround as our first Rural Employment Manager, after 30 year’s service in the Royal Marines.

Brexit Britain these qualities and skills have never been more needed across the entire land-based sector from Agriculture to Viticulture.

One of the principal challenges to face service leavers and veterans is to be able to identify these transferable skills and market themselves effectively to employers.

HighGround’s advice and support service is based around Rural Weeks, a five day fully residential programme delivered at an agricultural college to a maximum of 10 participants which provides an overview of the land-based sector consisting of presentations by subject matter experts and visits to farms, golf courses, forest schools and much more.

When CV-19 prevented the delivery of Rural Weeks at Bicton, HighGround developed Virtual Rural Weeks which have now been integrated into the 2021 programme and offer the opportunity for service leavers and veterans to make new contacts and continue their research into the land-based sector virtually.

HighGround’s Rural Employment Manager will continue to expand the network of employers

across the UK whilst providing support to HighGrounders via work experience, training and employment opportunities. He said “More and more service leavers and veterans are seeking to explore employment and self-employment opportunities in the land-based sector. Some approach this directly from service as part of the resettlement process.

Others are looking for change

and a challenge, having taken a less than fulfilling role elsewhere on leaving the service. Whatever the individual circumstances a HighGround Rural Week, online or at Bicton College, offers the opportunity to learn more about the land-based sector, qualifications, career paths and opportunities, and to start networking with those already working in the land-based sector. On completion HighGrounders receive

Rural Week at Bicton College. Plant and machinery session.

HOW DOES HIGHGROUND WORK? Approximately 14,000 members of the Armed Forces leave every year although due to the pandemic many had their service extended, which will cause an uplift in those leaving (and a subsequent need for employment support and guidance) in late 2021 and 2022.

It is well recognised across a wealth of research that employment is a critical component of successful transition back to civilian life and more importantly that those (individuals) who choose a job as part of a career path, are more likely to be motivated and feel they are progressing (Forces in Mind Trust (2013) Understanding the transition process for service personnel returning to civilian life).

Those who join HM forces are predominantly outdoor people and the land-based sector offers an everincreasing variety of opportunities for service leavers and veterans to deploy their unique transferable skills learned in the military. In post48

The Armed Forces charity directory

follow-up support benefiting from the established and growing HighGround national network.

It must be said there is a direct crossover for attributes, mindset and skillsets developed during military service into the landbased sector. No one understands this better than those who have served, which is reflected in the growing number of ex military who are in established positions, coming forward to offer support.

Anna added “I am so grateful to The Royal Foundation for their support which enabled us to recruit Tim and he is already making his presence felt. This

HOW CAN YOU HELP? It costs HighGround £12,779 to deliver each Rural Week and £1,989 for a Virtual Rural Week.

Next year we want to roll out the Rural Weeks programme to Askham Bryan agricultural college near York and work with CTP to deliver our Virtual Rural Weeks to more serving personnel as part of their resettlement planning.

We can reach more service leavers and veterans if you help us by raising money and awareness.

Join the Friends of HighGround – it won’t cost you anything but it will do a lot of good!

means we can help more of those who have served their Country to find jobs, careers and vocational occupation as they continue Life beyond the military – Outdoors.

For more information about Corporate Champions, please contact Anna to find out how we can help companies show their support for HighGround and benefit their employees at the same time. anna@highground-uk.org We are proud to work with www.highground-uk.org/ partners-and-funders and the many individual estates, landowners, vineyards, farms, forestry companies who help us deliver life beyond the military – Outdoors. www.highground-uk.org Danny Mawson. Ex Para now Tree Surgeon 2.

September 2019. Credit Peter Davies

HighGround is a young charity, formed to assist in the transition from military to civilian life.

Service in the Armed Forces exposes personnel to working and living outdoors. The land-based employment sector offers an ever-increasing variety of opportunities for Service Leavers, Reservists and Veterans to use their transferable skills learned in the military to pursue jobs, careers and vocational opportunities and HighGround provides advice and Rural Weeks towards employment and fulfilment in civilian life.

We are also proud to be providing a Horticultural Therapy service for patients at the Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre (DMRC), Stanford Hall.

Visit our website to find out more: www.highground-uk.org anna@highground-uk.org | 07951 495272 | @HighGroundBoss Become a Friend of HighGround and receive our free newsletter.

Cobseo The Confederation of Service Charities

HighGround, London Scottish House, 95 Horseferry Road, London. SW1P 2DX. Charity Reg. No. 1151225. Company limited by guarantee. Registered in England 08236843.

Funded by the Armed Forces Covenant with funding from the Covenant Fund. We are proud to be a member of Cobseo and supported by The Royal Foundation.

The Armed Forces charity directory

49

CAREER TRANSITION PARTNERSHIP The Ministry of Defence’s Career Transition Partnership (CTP) connects a wide range of experienced, trained and skilled ex-service people with employers.

T

he CTP provide a personalised service to employers, regardless of size throughout the UK and overseas. This relationship recognises and builds on the talent that ex-service personnel have to offer the wider civilian labour market and employers demand for high quality employees to drive their businesses forward.

WHY EMPLOY SOMEONE FROM THE SERVICES? The benefits of employing service leavers: talent into your organisation Over 14,000 service leavers come on to the civilian job market through the CTP every year. They include engineers, technicians, trainers, administrators, IT managers, drivers, chefs, nurses, pilots, operations managers, facilities managers, project managers and communications experts.

OVERVIEW The CTP is a partnering agreement between the Ministry of Defence (MOD) and Right Management, global career development and outplacement specialists to provide resettlement support. This support assists personnel leaving the armed forces to prepare for entering the civilian job market and to make a successful transition to employment, or achieve the wider vocational outcome they seek.

The CTP provides resettlement support through 10 resettlement centres throughout the UK and 1 in Germany. Vocational training is primarily delivered at the CTP’s flagship Resettlement Training Centre (RTC) located in Aldershot and in CTP centres across the UK. CTP staff have delivered resettlement support for nearly 20 years and understand the military way of life and the challenges facing people making the transition to civilian life. Although primarily focused on helping service leavers 50

Today’s armed forces are accustomed to operating in the most complex of environments, maximising the benefits of teamwork whilst harnessing cutting edge technology to its very limits. However, teamwork, technical abilities and tenacity are not the only attributes that service leavers have to offer employers.

Service leavers have unrivalled experience and excellent personal qualities. They have been tested in highly demanding and pressurised situations and are used to taking responsibility for their actions and getting things done first time.

Service leavers are quick to learn, picking up new skills and adapting to new circumstances with ease.

They are self disciplined and motivated problem solvers who will get a task done, whatever it takes.

In addition to offering such professional and technical abilities, they are also skilled

to find suitable employment in a second career, the resettlement provision also includes preparations for civilian life for those who are planning to retire or going into full time education.

Provision of resettlement starts up to 2 years before an individual is due to leave the armed forces and continues for up to 2 years post discharge. In the case of wounded injured and sick (WIS) personnel this timeline can be longer, depending on the nature of their condition and the medical pathway.

This provision is graduated and dependent upon the length of time they have served.

The CTP administers a high quality, free recruitment service for employers seeking the best.

This includes an online vacancy database called RightJob, employment fairs around the UK, and a team of Employer Relations Managers who are available to advise and assist with employer’s recruitment needs.

in planning and organising, teamwork, communication, man management and leadership, skills that have been honed in some of the toughest environments.

As well as these transferable skills, service leavers bring their considerable experience, moral and physical courage to your business.

SERVICES AVAILABLE CTP services available to you the employer.

The CTP provide a personalised, no cost recruitment service designed to meet the needs of UK employers.

Our employer engagement team is split into three elements: Firstly, developing and managing strategic relationships with employers and employer groups, with the aim of maximising the number of quality vacancies and opportunities for service leavers. The opportunities sourced will be available to all cohorts of service leavers with roles from apprentice to executive level, including vocational opportunities for wounded Injured and sick.

Secondly, to develop vital working relationships with employers, engaging stakeholders across the UK regions.

Thirdly, we will be developing a deeper understanding of what industry sectors need and how that relates to service leavers from across the 3 services. We will be looking at what their skills gaps are, what are the job opportunities within the sector, what training is required for these roles, what trends are emerging from the sector? This will enable us to better prepare our service leavers for the industry. We will then promote this knowledge across the whole CTP and with those leaving the services.

Our Employer Relations Managers (ERM) can discuss your particular requirements and advise you on how best to use the services of the CTP.

elements of the model. This enables a strong link to be made between those leaving the services and an enduring support to veteran’s employment. This link is enhanced by robust data sharing and recognised pathways to support the relatively few with enduring support needs beyond employment.

How to access the CTP and our no cost services If you need a team or are looking for talent to help drive your business forward, please register your company at www.ctp.org. uk/contact-registrations or call our Central Employment Team (CET) on 0121 236 0058.

EMPLOYMENT FAIRS Focused and targeted employment fairs nationwide offer an exceptional opportunity for your organisation to meet talented potential employees and network with MOD resettlement advisors, other businesses and the CTP www.ctp.org.uk

ELIGIBILITY Links with the wider third sector As part of the CTP model, RFEA, the Forces Employment Charity and RBLI provide discrete

Everyone on the trained strength is eligible to see a 1st and 2nd line officer for information and advice on resettlement at any time during their careers. Entitlement The Armed Forces charity directory

ADVERTISE YOUR VACANCY Once registered you can promote your opportunities via our online jobs board, RightJob. We provide an accessible, free of charge, online system for advertising job vacancies to suitable candidates.

completed 6 years’ or more service and commences up to two years prior to discharge until two year post discharge. Those eligible for the CRP are entitled to up to 35 days Graduated Resettlement Time (GRT) prior to discharge which is time to conduct resettlement activities (the number of days is dependent upon length of service with the maximum of 35 days available to those who serve 16 years or more).

to Resettlement provision via the CTP is grouped into different programmes depending on length of service.

There are 2 exceptions: A. Medical discharges Service leavers who are medically discharged, including wounded, injured and sick service personnel automatically qualify for the Core Resettlement Programme (CRP), regardless of time served. Where the single services deem that additional support is required, the individual is also entitled to access CTP Assist which offers specialist support.

In addition to all of the CRP services, the 3 critical elements of support given within CTP Assist are: a Vocational Assessment, referral to a Specialist Employment Consultant and access to a vocational opportunities portal.

B. Any individual who:1. Has served less than 4 years 2. Has served more than 4 years and has lost their entitlement to either the Core Resettlement Programme (CRP) or the Employment Support Programme (ESP) due to the nature of their discharge.

These individuals are classed as an early service leavers (ESL). All ESL The Armed Forces charity directory

can access CTP Future Horizons.

This programme gives individual service leaver access to myPlan and RightJob via an assessment of needs conducted pre-discharge by an Employment Advisor (EA).

Depending on an individual’s need they are supported either by the wider EA team or by the Central Employment Team (CET) Career Advisors (CA).

In addition, all service leavers have access to briefs on housing advice, provided by the Joint Service Housing Advice Organisation (JSHAO).

The service leaver programmes are outlined below:

financial and housing briefs, online tools (myPlan, RightJob, online directory); one to one employment support; employment fairs and company recruitment presentations.

The service leaver will also have access to a comprehensive database of jobs called RightJob, many of which are available exclusively to service leavers, and employment advisors can offer job finding advice.

CORE RESETTLEMENT PROGRAMME The Core Resettlement Programme (CRP) is available through the CTP for service leavers who have

The CRP programme includes: • allocation of a personal career consultant, with whom the service leaver can have unlimited contact and one-to-one support • core and additional workshops, which will assist service leavers in producing a CV, researching the job market, preparing for an interview and responding to job adverts, importance of networking and using social media for job searching • access to vocational training so that transferable skills which service leavers develop during their time in the armed forces can lead to equivalent civilian qualifications or to gain brand new skills • financial and housing briefs • access to online assessment tools (MyPlan) including an online Personal Resettlement Plan (PRP) • opportunity to attend employment fairs, company recruitment presentations and online Live Chats with employers • access to RightJob (online job matching and jobs board)

EMPLOYMENT SUPPORT PROGRAMME The Employment Support Programme (ESP) is available, through the CTP to service leavers who complete between 4 and 6 years’ service. This gives access to the job finding service and CTP assistance that directly supports job finding. Individuals on the ESP are not entitled to Graduated Resettlement Time (GRT) however; ESP personnel may attend training events on a standby basis, selffunded. The ESP programme includes a 1 day workshop; one to one career consultant support;

Continued on page 66 51

Continued from page 65 • t here are also options which give guidance to those service leavers who intend to enter into full-time education or retire after leaving the Armed Forces

RESETTLEMENT TRAINING Service leavers have access to a range of vocational training courses delivered both at the CTP’s flagship Resettlement Training Centre (RTC) located in Aldershot and in CTP centres across the UK. CTP is unique in that it offers a training programme delivered under the MOD contract which consists of a range of courses that are ‘pre-paid’ by MOD and only ‘cost’ the service leaver their time.

Courses fall into 4 broad categories of management, electrical engineering, building trades and IT with the intention of preparing service leavers for employment by offering commercially recognised qualifications. Others give life skills and suit those going into retirement or selfemployment.

Management based courses include qualifications for the health and safety, logistics, project management, facilities management, school business management and education sectors to name some.

The engineering department offers an industry recognised route into electrical installation roles and IT courses offer the skills and knowledge required by this ever growing sector. The building trades department offers courses that teach life skills and prepares service leavers for entry to the construction sector or self employment as a property developer or sole trader.

All courses are tailored to service leaver needs with many having bespoke content or delivery models to assist them to gain qualifications in the time allowed during resettlement. All courses are quality controlled so that the service leaver can book with confidence.

Service leavers may also undertake training through a network of external, civilian training organisations, known as preferred suppliers, which are managed by Right Management on behalf on MOD who own the Preferred Supplier List (PSL).

The CTP is the single source for all official armed forces resettlement services and MOD promotes a principle of ‘CTP first’.

CTP Programmes are funded through the MOD at no cost to the service leaver.

52

For those service leavers entitled to vocational training, where there is a CTP course available (whether contract funded or noncontract funded), these must be used before accessing external training.

External training must then only be accessed in accordance with the mandatory priority order of Resettlement Training Options shown below: A. Priority 1: CTP ContractFunded (CF) courses B. Priority 2: CTP Non-ContractFunded (NCF) courses. 62 JSP 534, Issue 14, October 2015 C. P riority 3: Resettlement Preferred Supplier List (PSL) and/or ELCAS Approved Provider List (APL) courses D. Priority 4: External training suppliers not on PSL

MEDICAL DISCHARGES Service leavers who are being, or likely to be medically discharged, regardless of length of service and are deemed by their single services to require additional support are entitled to all elements of the Core Resettlement Programme plus the Specialist Support Programme (SSP).

The SSP consists of the CRP plus Core Recovery Events, a Vocational Assessment and access to a

Specialist Employment Consultant (SES) who will help the individual create a bespoke resettlement plan.

This resettlement pathway is called CTP Assist.

It is recognised that medical discharge service leavers often need longer in resettlement to achieve the vocational success they seek; since February 2013 the single services can load any and all medically discharging personnel, and those they assess as likely to medically discharge into resettlement as soon as it is appropriate for the individual.

For those who are not able to undertake resettlement services because of their medical condition, it is possible to defer resettlement for up to 2 years after discharge and, in extreme cases resettlement provision may be transferred to the spouse of the service leaver.

ESL to find and remain in a sustainable vocational outcome, including employment. It is based on a needs assessment and provides access to the required training, personal development and educational courses to overcome individualised barriers to work and ensure individuals are moving towards being ‘job ready’ and to find suitable employment once discharged from the service.

Contact may also be made on behalf of the ESL with the Joint Service Housing Advice Office (JSHAO) or the Single Persons Accommodation Centre for the Ex-Services (SPACES) if there are accommodation issues, and/or with service charities if appropriate.

CTP FUTURE HORIZONS

For further detailed information visit our website: www.ctp.org.uk

Service leavers who complete less than 4 years, or who are compulsorily discharged, are referred to as early service leavers (ESL). CTP Future Horizons is available for all ESL and is designed to provide a comprehensive transition programme which assists the

CONTACT THE CAREER TRANSITION PARTNERSHIP

The Armed Forces charity directory

RFEA THE FORCES EMPLOYMENT CHARITY RFEA – The Forces Employment Charity – exists to provide life-long, life-changing support, job opportunities, and training to service leavers, reservists, veterans and their families, irrespective of circumstances, rank, length of service, or reason for leaving.

F

ounded in 1885 and operating across the UK, we have the specialist knowledge and understanding to bridge the gap between military life and civilian employment. We work in partnership with other organisations and employers who, like us, respect and value the unique qualities and abilities of all those who have served.

WHY VETERANS? There are many reasons why veterans are a great fit for any company, some of which include being able to thrive under pressure, delivering against tight deadlines, and an ability to cope with change. There are many advantages of hiring veterans; here are just a few.

SKILLS AND TRAINING Ex-Forces personnel are trained and skilled to the highest levels.

54

Expertise ranges from senior executive leadership, through operational management, to technical and supervisory skills. The Armed Forces train and develop specialist skills including: • Business Services • Information Technology • Transport and Logistics • Engineering • Security • Physical Training

COMPETENCIES A career in the military promotes flexibility, loyalty, self-discipline, reliability, a strong sense of duty and commitment, the ability to use your initiative. Core competencies include: • Communication skills practised with internal and external stakeholders • Organisational skills • L eadership and management skills • High degree of professionalism

• Problem-solving • Self-motivation •H ealth and Safety, Security awareness and best practice •T eam working

WHAT WE OFFER EMPLOYERS Access to military talent Ex-Forces are one of the largest sources of talented potential employees in the country. Service leavers and veterans are highly trained and skilled individuals who have worked within a motivated culture with exceptionally strong teamwork. We work with 20,000 Service leavers and veterans every year, meaning that we can support employers to recruit when they need high volumes of people to join their organisation.

Our recruitment service

On average, we work with over 9,000 employers every year, ranging from the largest multi-national companies through to regional and local businesses. We work with employers in every sector including construction; engineering; technology; financial services; cyber security; telecoms; leisure; sport; forestry; waste management; energy and many more.

"Since 2014, the FDM Ex-Forces Programme has helped well over 500 ex-services personnel transition into the business world. It’s an exciting process, with candidates relishing new career challenges and bringing significant value to FDM Group and our clients. We recognise that individuals who have served in the Armed Forces have many transferable skills, ranging from adaptability and

RFEA AND STEP INTO HEALTH

Deborah Poneskis, Programme lead for NHS Step Into Health, says: “Having reached the rank of Colonel in the British Army, I have RFEA is proud to witnessed first-hand the highly work with many transferable skills that those who organisations who have served in the Armed Forces recognise the invaluable support veterans bring to the have to offer. I have also been civilian workforce, including the Step into lucky enough to have benefitted Health Programme. It supports members from the incredible support offered by one of RFEA’s many of the Armed Forces Community to programmes – the Military Women gain employment in the NHS. NHS Programme – to help me further organisations pledge to commit to my civilian career. I encourage making their recruitment processes others to look into the many types more forces-friendly and to offering of help and support that are out work placements and insight days. The there to ensure ex-Servicemen and Step into Health programme highlights women can secure meaningful the transferable skills and values and sustainable careers in their which members of the Armed Forces civilian life.” community can bring to the NHS.

The Armed Forces charity directory

maturity through to responsibility and leadership. We have a strong relationship with the RFEA and have worked alongside them since we started in 2014. The RFEA’s CTP Employment Engagement Team plays an instrumental role at the front end of our recruitment process - enabling the service leaver to take that first step in the commercial sector and increasing our talent pipeline. Ultimately, this helps to iron out the transitional process for service leavers and veterans.’’

Danielle Sandy Head of Recruitment – Ex-Forces Programme, FDM

including vacancy search, CV preparation and review, and interview techniques training • Vocational skills acquisition, including accessing training funding provided by other charities • For those who have wider life skills and functional obstacles we work closely with other charities, including RBLI’s Lifeworks, the Warrior Programme for motivational programmes, and Combat Stress and Walking With the Wounded's Head Start Programme for those who need mental health support • Once the individual is ‘job ready’ we provide direct jobfinding support, brokering vacancies with potential employers

ONLINE JOBS BOARD RFEA uses the Career Transition Partnership’s RightJob, an online jobs board that is dedicated to jobs for Service Leavers and Veterans. RightJob promotes your organisation and your vacancies to 20,000 service leavers and exForces personnel who are actively seeking jobs. RFEA’s TechVets programme has an additional jobs board with opportunities directly from employers that link talent gaps in industry with the skills veterans and service leavers are developing through TechVets. The Families Programme also works closely with the Forces Families Jobs Board, set up by the Families Federations, and also uses RFEA’s extensive network of over 9,000 employers who actively recruit service leavers and veterans.

HOW WE SUPPORT OUR CLIENTS RFEA offers a number of unique programmes that provide tailored support to clients, from those who are in need of ‘light touch’ guidance such as CV review, through to those in need of more specialist support to tackle barriers to their career journey.

What people can expect from RFEA’s Employment Advisors?

•W e undertake a needs assessment to understand individual’s needs and the obstacles to employment. This enables an employment action plan to be agreed which determines vocational goals and develops a support pathway.

•D epending on the needs of the individual this support will include: •C areer guidance and advice using talent matching and seven-point planning techniques • J ob search technique guidance The Armed Forces charity directory

Lee Johnston, Families Employment Advisor at RFEA says, “Whether it’s in terms of welfare, family or deployment, I can completely empathise with the challenges our clients face, because, as the wife of a Royal Marine, I’ve experienced them myself. That’s why I am so passionate about getting our clients to where they want to be.”

DOG TAGS TO DATA TAGS: JUMPING INTO CYBER SECURITY

joining the Army in 1998 and always tried to remain current.

In 2005, paratrooper James Lugassy, 28 signed left the British Army to pursue civilian role in cyber security and the tech industry. He used the support of RFEA programme TechVets to help jump-start his new career.

What did you enjoy about the military? The adventure, the excitement, and the comradery.

Full name: James Lugassy Age: 28 Current job title: Information Security Manager When did you join the military?

1998 Who did you serve with?

The Parachute Regiment What qualities did it give you to survive in the outside world? Self-confidence, a sense of self worth and a great work ethic. An ability to prioritise getting the job done (to a high standard), and never having a mindset of being slave to restrictive working hours.

FIND OUT MORE

Why did you decide to leave?

To pursue a career in the private security industry overseas.

If you are interested in finding out more about how ex-Forces talent could benefit your organisation, or have a vacancy you would like to fill, please call us on 0121 262 3058 or email info@rfea.org.uk www.rfea.org.uk

Did you always want to pursue a tech career? No, but I’ve always been interested in tech and have always been an early adopter of new technology. I was computer literate to a high standard before

EMPLOYING VETERANS CHANGES LIVES Commodore Alistair Halliday, RFEA’s Chief Executive, comments: “At RFEA we know that the qualities required for a career in the Services make ex-Forces personnel a fantastic addition to the civilian workforce, which is why our teams are so passionate about helping veterans, and their families, to find meaningful employment. We provide an invaluable, tailored support service to ensure our clients are equipped with everything they need to demonstrate the value and relevance of their experience to civilian employers.

By doing so, we bring about life changing transformations for thousands of veterans, and their families, every year.

Nicki Bradley from Plymouth, a former Leading Naval Nurse in the Royal Navy, served from 1992 to 2006.

After leaving the Service she struggled to transfer her valuable experience into skills that were recognised by civilian employers. RFEA was able to help her recognise the value of her skills and translate them into suitable job opportunities. With the support of her RFEA Regional Advisor, Nicki secured a job placement, which led to her being employed in her current role as a part-time administrator. Nicki says: “After 3 years of unemployment after being made redundant, my new job means I am able to come off benefits and be proud to be earning my own money once more. I feel I have purpose again and can convey this feeling to my children. I can now improve on

How has TechVets and the community supported you? A year ago, I decided to re-train as a security and risk practitioner.

I could no longer ignore the growing threats found in the cyber domain, I joined TechVets, it was my first introduction to the cyber industry. The more I spoke to the other members and the more free training I undertook through the TechVets community made me realise that I wanted to move into a tech career full time. I started to understand that good Cyber Security came down to strong risk management, and realised I wasn’t as out of my depth as I first thought. The community not only reassured me that side-stepping into the industry was achievable, but also provided me with the training and advice that I needed to move my CV in a direction that fitted my end goals (the cyber domain is massive, so it’s good to understand it and take a focused approach to joining the industry).

What are you doing now?

Thanks to the help and advice of the TechVets team, combined with a year of studying and test taking, I have managed to side step from risk management into cyber risk management as an Information Security Officer.

skills I already possess as well as acquire new ones through workplace development courses.”

Paul Ansell, who served in the RAF and later secured a role as a Trainee Thermal Installation Engineer, says: “My biggest challenges were trying to transfer skills I gained from the forces into the outside world. I found a lot of skills I had didn’t transfer, but with support from my advisor, I found I could use my skills in other areas of work which made me look at areas I had never thought of.”

55

Join forces with

RUGBY

FOR HEROES

We ar eq about uite simply p p and w roviding s assionate omen ervice m a leve l of su en t h e y p port deser Pleas ve e Do

nate o

Thank

r Spo

You

nsor

and give back to those who deserve it

We are the Rugby For Heroes Charity, who through the sport of rugby have been supporting members of our Armed Forces as they transition from their military careers and integrate back into their local communities. Transitioning is a different journey for everyone, and it can be an incredibly stressful and challenging time. We look to provide a carefully structured package of holistic support which ranges from emotional, practical, and financial assistance to meet the needs of the individual. With your help we can continue to give them the support they deserve.

Contact us at: 3, St James Court, 285 Barton St, Gloucester GL1 4JE, UK Phone: 01452 308038 Email: info@rugbyforheroes.org.uk Registered as a charity in England and Wales Charity Number: 1140439. Established 2011

Us

Standing Side by Side with the RaF Family FoR 100 yeaRS If you serve or have served with the RAF, you and your family can request help.

FREE CALL 0800169 2942 rafbf.org/help

FInAncIAl AssIstAnce wellbeIng bReAks FAmIly And RelAtIonshIps

emotIonAl wellbeIng Independent lIvIng tRAnsItIon

FORCES CHARITY INDEX Over these pages, you will find contact details of all the Forces Charities.

ABF THE SOLDIERS’ CHARITY

Telephone: 0207 901 8900 Email: supportercare@soldierscharity.org Website: www.soldierscharity.org ABF The Soldiers’ Charity is the national charity of the british army, providing a lifetime of support to soldiers, veterans and their families when they are in need.

ALABARÉ

Telephone: 01722 322 882 Email: enquiries@alabare.co.uk

Website: www.alabare.co.uk

We are a charity supporting vulnerable, homeless and marginalised people. we help them transform their lives, providing accommodation and helping them gain the skills, confidence and opportunities to live a fulfilled life.

ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS

Telephone: 0800 9177 650 Email: help@aamail.org Website: www.alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk AA is concerned solely with the personal recovery and continued sobriety of individual alcoholics who turn to the fellowship for help. alcoholics anonymous does not engage in the fields of alcoholism research, medical or psychiatric treatment, education, or advocacy in any form, although members may participate in such activities as individuals.

AF&V LAUNCHPAD LIMITED www.veteranslaunchpad.org.uk AIRBORNE ASSAULT LIMITED www.paradata.org.uk ALLIED SERVICES TRUST www.alliedservicestrust.org ANDY REID STANDING TALL FOUNDATION

Telephone: 07882540998 Email: john@standingtallfoundation.org.uk Website: www.standingtall.co.uk The Standing Tall Foundation aims to support veterans and disadvantaged young people. It will achieve this objective by drawing on the ‘lived experience’ of William Andrew Reid MBE and delivering fully funded programmes, designed to improve, enhance and help individuals across a broad spectrum of needs.

ARMED FORCES BIKERS www.armedforcesbikers.co.uk ARMED FORCES CHRISTIAN UNION

Telephone: 01793 783123 Email: office@afcu.org.uk Website: www.afcu.org.uk The Armed Forces’ Christian Union (afcu), is an interdenominational, tri-service fellowship of christians who wish to grow in their faith and share it with those with whom they serve. it seeks to encourage and build up christians in the armed forces in their faith and to support evangelism and does this by producing literature, providing prayer support for serving members, organising activities and teaching holidays and weekends, and by personal visits.

ARMED FORCES EDUCATION FUND www.armedforceseducation.org ARMY FAMILIES FEDERATION www.aff.org.uk 58

The Armed Forces charity directory

BFBS www.bfbs.com BLESMA www .blesma.org BLIND VETERANS UK www.blindveterans.org.uk BOUND BY VETERANS www.wiltshirebarn.co.uk BRITISH FORCES FOUNDATION www.bff.org.uk BROUGHTON HOUSE – VETERAN CARE VILLAGE

Telephone: 0161 7402737

Email: info@broughtonhouse.com

Website: www.broughtonhouse.com

Established in 1916 to provide treatment to the thousands of soldiers and sailors returning from WW1, Broughton House has since evolved into a dedicated charity and care home for veterans. Living their remaining years amongst friends and a dedicated team committed to caring all those who served us.

BUILDFORCE

Telephone: 07815 755285

Email: info@buildforce.org.uk Website: www.buildforce.org.uk

BuildForce is a Community Interest Company, set up and run by a collection of construction companies. We are dedicated to improving skills and diversity in construction by recruiting from the incredible talent of our service leavers and veterans.

BUILDING HEROES FOUNDATION

Telephone: 01798 874521

Email: info@buildingheroes.org.uk

Website: www.buildingheroes.org.uk

Building Heroes provides skills training to Military Veterans and support into employment in the building trades. Our aim is to tackle unemployment amongst those who have kept us safe by offering them a seamless transition to a new career in construction.

CARE AFTER COMBAT www.careaftercombat.org CARE FOR VETERANS

www.careforveterans.org.uk

CHURCH OF ENGLAND SOLDIERS', SAILORS' & AIRMEN CLUBS www.cessaha.co.uk CLIMB2RECOVERY www.c2r.org COMBAT STRESS

Telephone: 0800 138 1619 Email: helpline@combatstress.org.uk

Website: www.combatstress.org.uk

We are Combat Stress, the UK’s leading charity for veterans’ mental health. for over a century, we’ve helped former servicemen and women with mental health problems such as post-traumatic stress disorder (ptsd), anxiety and depression.

DEFENCE ACADEMY STATION AND WELFARE FUND www.totalgiving.co.uk FAB (FAMILIES' ACTIVITY BREAK) www.fabcamps.org.uk FIGHTING WITH PRIDE

www.fightingwithpride.org.uk

FISHING FOR HEROES www.fishingforheroes.com

The Armed Forces charity directory

59

F4H

Telephone: 07702 596 226 Email: k.hartley@f4h.org.uk Website: www.f4h.org.uk We strive to develop the ability of serving and retired members of the armed forces of all ranks and status – and their spouses/partners – to manage the dramatic change in cultures when resuming civilian life in such a way that they are better able to identify, and help meet, their needs and to participate fully in society.

FLY NAVY HERITAGE TRUST LTD www.navywings.org.uk FORCES CHILDREN'S TRUST www.forceschildrenstrust.org.uk FORCES IN MIND TRUST www.fim-trust.org FORCES PENSION SOCIETY CHARITABLE FUND www.forcespensionsociety.org FORCES SUPPORT LTD

www.forcessupport.org.uk

FORGOTTEN VETERANS UK www.forgottenveteransuk.com FORWARD ASSIST LIMITED www.forward-assist.com HAIG HOUSING

Telephone: 020 8685 5777 Email: enquiries@haighousing.org.uk

Website: www.haighousing.org.uk

The object of Haig Housing is to provide housing assistance to ex-service people and/or their dependants. currently this object is achieved by letting general needs homes at affordable rents to the ex-service community, and providing tailored housing solutions to suit the individual.

HEADWAY FORCES SUPPORT GROUP www.headway.org.uk HELP FOR HEROES

Telephone: 0300 303 9888 Email: getsupport@helpforheroes.org.uk Website: www.helpforheroes.org.uk Help for Heroes was founded by Bryn and Emma Parry OBE to provide lifetime support to those wounded in the service of their country. no matter when someone served, we believe that those prepared to put their lives second, deserve a second chance at life.

HEROPRENEURS www.heropreneurs.co.uk HIGHGROUND

Telephone: 07951 495272 Email: anna@highground-uk.org

Website: www.highground-uk.org

Our vision is to be the leading organisation for the provision of land-based opportunities for all ex-military personnel and reservists.

HIRE A HERO www.hireahero.org.uk HOUNDS FOR HEROES www.houndsforheroes.com JBVC FOUNDATION www.jbvc-foundation.org.uk KING EDWARD VII'S HOSPITAL SISTER AGNES

www.kingedwardvii.co.uk

LEST WE FORGET ASSOCIATION www.lestweforgetassociation.org.uk

60

The Armed Forces charity directory

LIFEWORKS

Telephone: 0800 319 6844 Email: lifeworks@rbli.co.uk Website:www.wearelifeworks.org.uk Lifeworks Is a support service (at zero cost to the participant) to help veterans looking to either move into sustainable employment, training or education. It is available to veterans, regardless of when, where or how long they served. Courses are funded by organisations keen to support veterans

LOL-FOUNDATION www.lolfoundation.co.uk LORD KITCHENER NATIONAL MEMORIAL FUND www.lknmf.com LORD LEYCESTER'S HOSPITAL www.lordleycester.com MISSION MOTORSPORT

Telephone: 0333 033 8338 Email: team@missionmotorsport.org Website: www.missionmotorsport.org The Forces' Motorsport Charity, whose motto is “Race Retrain Recover” is MoD's competent authority for motor sport as a recovery activity, and is a Royal Foundation (the charitable trust of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge) and Endeavour Fund supported initiative.

The charity's dedicated career managers have placed more than 200 Wounded, Injured and Sick service leavers into employment since the inaugural Invictus Games in September 2014. Over 2000 veterans have found work through the charity’s programs.

NAVAL CHILDRENS’S CHARITY

Telephone: 023 9263 9534

Email: caseworkers@navalchildrenscharity.org.uk Website: www.navalchildrenscharity.org.uk

The Naval Children’s Charity has been helping naval children since 1825, for nearly 200 years. if you serve or have served in the naval service (royal navy, royal marines, qarnns, wrns, reserves or royal fleet auxiliary) and you have a child/children up to and including the age of 25 we may be able to help you.

NAVAL FAMILIES FEDERATION www.nff.org.uk NUFFIELD TRUST FOR THE FORCES OF THE CROWN www.nuffieldtrust.org.uk ON COURSE FOUNDATION www.oncoursefoundation.com ONCE WE WERE SOLDIERS www.owwsoldiers.co.uk PTSD RESOLUTION LTD www.ptsdresolution.org PURPLE WARRIORS www.purplewarriors.org RAF BENEVOLENT FUND

Telephone: 0300 102 1919 Email: mail@rafbf.org.uk Website: www.rafbf.org The RAF Benevolent Fund is the RAF's leading welfare charity with a proud tradition of looking after its own. we are there for all serving and former members of the raf as well as their partners and dependent children.

RAPID RELIEF TEAM

www.rrtglobal.org

RE:ACT DISASTER RESPONSE LTD www.re-act.org.uk READING FORCE www.readingforce.org.uk

The Armed Forces charity directory

61

RED CYPHER www.theredcipher.com REMOUNT T/A FUTURE FOR HEROES LTD www.f4h.org.uk RFEA

Telephone: 0121 262 3058

Email: info@rfea.org.uk Website: www.rfea.org.uk

RFEA is one of the oldest military charities. Founded in 1885 and operating across the UK, supporting Service Leavers and Veterans into civilian employment for over 130 years. Our original name was The National Association for Employment of Reserve and Discharged Soldiers.

RIDE TO THE WALL www.rttw.org ROYAL MARINES HISTORICAL SOCIETY www.rmhistoricalsociety.org RUDDI'S RETREAT www.ruddisretreat.org RUGBY FOR HEROES

Telephone: 01452 308038 Email: info@rugbyforheroes.org.uk

Website: www.rugbyforheroes.org.uk

Rugby for Heroes works with the rugby community to raise funds and awareness for military personnel who are making the transition to civilian life. We are committed to providing financial and personal support, to help individuals overcome the many challenges that this transition presents.

SCOTTY'S LITTLE SOLDIERS www.scottyslittlesoldiers.co.uk SERVICE DOGS UK www.servicedogsuk.org SERVE ON LTD www.serveon.org.uk SMILESTAR www.smilestarcharity.co.uk SOCIETY OF FRIENDS OF THE ROYAL NAVY SUBMARINE MUSEUM www.nmrn.org.uk SOLDIER ON! ORGANISATION www.soldieron.org.uk SOLDIERS' AND AIRMEN'S SCRIPTURE READERS ASSOCIATION www.sasra.org.uk SPECIAL BOAT SERVICE ASSOCIATION www.cobseo.org.uk SSAFA

Telephone: 020 7463 9200

Email: supporter@ssafa.org.uk Website: www.ssafa.org.uk

ssafa, the Armed Forces charity, has been providing lifelong support to our forces and their families since 1885. last year our teams of volunteers and employees helped more than 85,000 people in need, from second world war veterans to those who have served in more recent conflicts or are still currently serving, and their families. ssafa understands that behind every uniform is a person. for support, call our free and confidential orcesline: 0800 260 6767.

SUPPORTING WOUNDED VETERANS LTD www.supportingwoundedveterans.com SUTTON'S HOSPITAL IN CHARTERHOUSE www.thecharterhouse.org ST DAVID'S HOME FOR DISABLED SOLDIERS, SAILORS AND AIRMEN www.cqc.org.uk ST JOHN & RED CROSS DEFENCE MEDICAL WELFARE SERVICE www.dmws.org.uk STYLE FOR SOLDIERS www.styleforsoldiers.com 62

The Armed Forces charity directory

SUPPORT OUR MILITARY VETERANS www.supportmilitaryveterans.co.uk SUPPORT OUR SOLDIERS www.supportoursoldiers.org.uk THE AGGER FOUNDATION www.theaggerfoundation.org THE AIR AMBULANCE SERVICE www.theairambulanceservice.org.uk THE ARBORFIELD ASSOCIATION www.arborfieldoldboys.co.uk THE BENTLEY PRIORY BATTLE OF BRITAIN TRUST www.bentleypriorymuseum.org.uk THE BRIDGE FOR HEROES www.thebridgeforheroes.org THE BRIGADE OF GURKHAS EDUCATION AND WELFARE FUND www.gwt.org.uk THE BRITANNIA ASSOCIATION www.britanniaassociation.org.uk THE COMMONWEALTH WAR GRAVES FOUNDATION www.cwgc.org THE CONNAUGHT TRUST www.the-connaught.co.uk THE GWENNILI TRUST

www.gwennili.org.uk

THE HMS VICTORY PRESERVATION COMPANY

www.hms-victory.com

THE LEAGUE OF REMEMBRANCE www.leagueofremembrance.org.uk THE MILITARY INTELLIGENCE MUSEUM www.militaryintelligencemuseum.org THE MOUNTAIN WAY

www.mountainway.org

THE NATIONAL ARMY MUSEUM FOUNDATION

www.nam.ac.uk

THE NATIONAL MEMORIAL ARBORETUM COMPANY LTD

www.thenma.org.uk

THE NOT FORGOTTEN ASSOCIATION

Telephone: 0207 730 2400 Email: info@thenotforgotten.org

Website: www.thenotforgotten.org

Our objective is to act generally for the benefit of service and ex-service personnel with disabilities or who are wounded, including the organisation or provision of items or facilities for leisure and recreational activities, travel, holidays and outings.

THE NORMANDY MEMORIAL TRUST LTD

www.britishnormandymemorial.org

THE PARACHUTE REGIMENT AND AIRBORNE FORCES CHARITY www.paradata.org.uk THE QUICK RESPONSE MEMORIAL WOODLAND www.qrmw.org THE REMEMBRANCE TRUST www.theremembrancetrust.com THE ROYAL BRITISH LEGION

Telephone: 0808 802 8080 Email: info@britishlegion.org.uk

Website: www.britishlegion.org.uk

The Royal British Legion is at the heart of a national network that supports our Armed Forces community. We are the country’s largest Armed Forces Charity, with 235,000 members, 110,000 volunteers and a network of partners and charities.

The Armed Forces charity directory

63

THE ROYAL MARINES CHARITY

Telephone: 023 9298 1920 Email: enquiries@rma-trmc.org

Website: www.rma-trmc.org

RMA-The Royal Marines Charity celebrates its 75th anniversary in 2021, marking the foundation of one of its predecessor organisations, the Royal Marines Association (RMA), in 1946.

THE ROYAL NAVAL ASSOCIATION www.royal-naval-association.co.uk THE ROYAL SCHOOL HASLEMERE www.royal-school.org THE ROYAL SIGNALS CHARITY www.royalsignals.org THE ROYAL SIGNALS MUSEUM www.royalsignalsmuseum.co.uk THE ROYAL STAR & GARTER HOMES www.starandgarter.org THE SHIPWRIGHTS CHARITABLE FUND www.shipwrights.co.uk THE SIR OSWALD STOLL FOUNDATION www.stoll.org.uk THE SUBMARINER MEMORIAL APPEAL www.submarinermemorial.uk THE ULYSSES TRUST www.ulyssestrust.co.uk THE UNION JACK CLUB www.ujclub.co.uk THE VC GALLERY www.thevcgallery.com THE VETERANS CHARITY www.veteranscharity.org.uk THE VETERANS CONTACT POINT www.veteranscontactpoint.co.uk THE VETERANS FARM ABLE FOUNDATION www.farmable.co.uk THE VETERANS' FOUNDATION www.veteransfoundation.org.uk THE VICTORIA CROSS AND GEORGE CROSS ASSOCIATION www.vcgca.org THE VICTORY (SERVICES) ASSOCIATION

www.vsc.co.uk

THE WRAC ASSOCIATION www.wracassociation.org THE YORKSHIRE AIR MUSEUM & ALLIED AIR FORCES MEMORIAL LIMITED www.yorkshireairmuseum.org TICKETS FOR TROOPS

www.ticketsfortroops.org.uk

TRANSFORMATION FOR VETERANS www.transformationforveterans.org.uk TRI SERVICES AND VETERANS SUPPORT CENTRE www.asdic.org.uk TROOP AID www.troopaid.info TURN TO STARBOARD

www.turntostarboard.co.uk

UK HOMES 4 HEROES PRIDE AND PASSION LTD www.ukh4h.org.uk UK VETERANS HEARING FOUNDATION

www.veteranshearing.org.uk

VETERANS COMMUNITY NETWORK www.vcn.org.uk VETERANS GARAGE LIMITED www.veteransgarage.co.uk VETERANS' GROWTH

www.veteransgrowth.org

VETERANS IN ACTION

www.veteransinaction.org.uk

VETERANS IN COMMUNTIES www.veteransincommunities.org 64

The Armed Forces charity directory

VETERANS OF WAR www.veterans-of-war.org VETERANS WITH DOGS www.veteranswithdogs.org.uk VICTORIA CROSS TRUST www.victoriacrosstrust.org VICTORY REVIVAL CHRISTIAN CENTRE www.vrccministries.org WALKING WITH THE WOUNDED

Telephone: 01263 863 900 Email: info@wwtw.org.uk Website: www.walkingwiththewounded.org.uk Established in 2010, walking with the wounded, a military charity for ex-military in the uk, supports a pathway for disadvantaged veterans to re-integrate back into society and sustain their independence. at the heart of this journey is employment.

WATERLOO UNCOVERED www.waterloouncovered.com WE'LL MEET AGAIN MUSEUM www.wmamuseum.co.uk WE REMEMBER SUB MARINERS www.we-remember-submariners.com WINGS FOR WARRIORS

www.wings4warriors.org.uk

WORLD WAR TWO ESCAPE LINES MEMORIAL SOCIETY www.ww2escapelines.co.uk WORSHIPFUL COMPANY OF INSURERS CHARITABLE TRUST www.wci.org.uk WOUNDCARE 4 HEROES www.woundcare4heroes.org.uk VETERANS GATEWAY

Telephone: 08‍08 80‍2 12‍12 Email: cguy@britishlegion.org.uk

Website: www.veteransgateway.org.uk

Veterans’ Gateway is made up of a consortium of organisations and Armed Forces charities, including The Royal British Legion, SSAFA – the Armed Forces charity, Poppyscotland, Combat Stress and Connect Assist.

The Armed Forces charity directory

65

FOR SOLDIERS FOR VETERANS FOR FAMILIES FOR LIFE As the Army’s national charity, we’re here for the Army family when you need us.

In a typical year, we help 70,000 people by awarding grants to individuals and 89 other charities and organisations. Our support is here at the start of your career and continues for life - long after service has ended.

ABF The Soldiers’ Charity is a registered charity in England and Wales (1146420) & Scotland (SC039189).

Registered as a company limited by guarantee in England & Wales (07974609).

Registered Office: Mountbarrow House, 12 Elizabeth Street, London, SW1W 9RB.

SUPPORTING

70,000 INDIVIDUALS &

89

ORGANISATIONS

SEARCH ABF THE SOLDIERS’ CHARITY TO FIND OUT MORE

SUPPORT US AND YOU SUPPORT THE WHOLE ARMY FAMILY

ARE YOU AN OUTDOORS PERSON? DON’T WANT TO DRIVE A DESK? HighGround can help you find your way into the land-based sector where your military skills and experience are highly prized and not a desk in sight!

The land-based sector consists of many different areas including Forestry, Agriculture, Conservation, Landscaping, Horticulture, Viticulture and Smallholding. HighGround run what are known as ‘Rural Weeks’. These are five day residential courses at an agricultural college where participants are given an insight into a full range of employment opportunities, all with the common theme of working outdoors.

Once you have decided what you want to do, we help you with work experience and our UK-wide network of contacts is ready to open doors as you find your way in civvy street.

Rural Weeks are fully funded and Travel & Subsistence allowance is refundable via your Resettlement Officer so bring an open mind and contact Anna Baker Cresswell to find out more.

We are also proud to be providing a Horticultural Therapy service for patients at the Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre at Stanford Hall.

Visit our website to become a ‘Friend of HighGround’ and keep up-to-date with our free quarterly newsletter.

www.highground-uk.org Tel: 07951 495272 | anna@highground-uk.org | @HighGroundBoss Funded by the Armed Forces Covenant with funding from the Covenant Fund. We are proud to be a member of Cobseo and supported by The Royal Foundation.

Cobseo The Confederation of Service Charities

HighGround, c/o, London Scottish House, 95 Horseferry Road, London. SW1P 2DX. Charity Reg. No. 1151225. Company limited by guarantee. Registered in England 08236843.

There’s so much more to SSAFA

We are SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity. We have been supporting the Armed Forces family for more than 135 years and not just during times of conflict. We help those currently serving, veterans and their families to retain their independence and dignity. Our services are diverse, and so are the people we help. With your help, whether practical, emotional or financial, we can get them the support they need.

S U PP ORT US N OW

ssafa.org.uk/more Registered as a charity in England and Wales Number 210760 in Scotland Number SC038056 and in Republic of Ireland Number 20202001. Established 1885.

Regulars | Reserves | Veterans | Families