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A new short video has been released online by the Service Personnel and Veterans Agency (SPVA) to highlight the work of the UK’s Veterans Welfare Service (VWS).  The five minute video, the latest in the Agency’s ‘Veterans Today’ series, aims to raise awareness of the one to one help provided by VWS, in the home if needed, to anyone who has served in the Armed Forces. 

Presenter Don Goldie investigates the origins of the VWS nearly a century ago, when its role was to look after the welfare needs of WWI casualties, Service widows and orphans, though to the current day and those affected by operations in Afghanistan.  The video explains how the VWS has retained its core principles, whilst adapting to a much wider role as part of the Government’s commitments under the Armed Forces Covenant.  It shows how welfare support is provided automatically to those medically discharged and for those bereaved by service, with an ‘on request’ service to all other members of the veterans community, including dependents and families.  

Alison Davies, Manager of the Veterans Welfare Service for the UK and Ireland, said:

“The Veterans Welfare Service has been providing help and support to the veterans community for almost 100 years and through two World Wars.  Our more recent work includes helping those who have served in Afghanistan and Iraq but we are still here for veterans of any age, no matter when or for how long they served.  This video will really help us raise awareness of our services and I hope it encourages any veterans who need welfare support to get in touch.”

The VWS works in partnership with the Armed Forces, Service and ex-Service charities, local authorities and local Veterans Advisory and Pensions Committees (VAPCs) to deliver a quality welfare service that promotes independence and dignity via continuous support.   Veterans requiring welfare help or assistance can contact the VWS by calling the Veterans-UK helpline, free, on 0800 169 2277.

SPVA’s ‘Veterans Today’ videos are available on the SPVA Social Media Hub that can be accessed via the Veterans-UK website - http://www.veterans-uk.info/social_media.html .  They are also available via the SPVA channel on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/user/TheSPVA. 

Ends

Notes to Editors:

1. The Veterans Welfare Service (VWS) provides one to one advice and support across the UK and Republic of Ireland.  Where needed, a home visit is made – with some 13,000 visits undertaken each year.
2. Advice can be provided on many topics but the most common are finances, benefits, accommodation, social services and dealing with disability issues.
3. Advice can also be provided over the telephone, direct from a welfare manager based in the veteran’s local area. 
4. For those medically discharged, engagement with the VWS is automatic.  The VWS will provide support for the rest of a person’s life, at a level appropriate to the person’s requirements.  For those bereaved by Service, a full support programme commences from the moment a casualty is notified.  All Services are free.
5. The Service Personnel and Veterans Agency is part of the Ministry of Defence and provides essential support functions to the Armed Forces and veterans communities.  These include Forces pay and HR, issue of all medals, casualty repatriation and compassionate services, pensions, injury/bereavement compensation and veterans welfare support.
6. A veteran is defined as anyone who has served in HM Armed Forces, regular or reserve, including National Servicemen, former Polish forces under British command and Merchant Mariners who have seen duty in military operations (e.g. the Falklands Conflict). Veterans, who can be aged from 18 to well over 100, along with their families and dependents make up the veterans community and all are entitled to VWS services.
7. There are five other videos in the ‘Veterans Today’ series covering the HM Armed Forces Veterans Badge, Medals, Historical casualty work, SPVA’s Ilford Park Polish Home in Devon and the War Pensions Scheme.

For further information

Please contact David Johnson, Service Personnel and Veterans Agency Press Office, on 07717 882014.