Veterans WORLD 8 - Features

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PUTTING VETERANS ON THE
Across the UK, there are initiatives to recognise support and help the Veterans Community.

WIGAN SETS UP ONE-STOP-SHOP FOR VETERANS
believed to be the first in the UK, Wigan Borough Veterans’ Council (WBVC) is aiming to improve the lives of Veterans in their local area.

walking veterans THE WBVC is a new volunteer group addressing the needs of veterans, young and old, providing support, advice and signposting to relevant services. Its also looking at improving and monitoring services to veterans, with representatives on the Local Skills Council and health organisations, to name a few.

“The Veterans’ Council was set up after veterans in the Wigan Borough contacted local MP’s stating that they felt forgotten. Consultation events were set up across the Wigan Borough, with veterans, local MP’s, and council officials. All felt that our Armed Forces and
veterans deserved support and recognition because of their outstanding contribution to our country.

So all agreed to set up a new organisation to support individual veterans and all veteran organisations within the Wigan Borough.“ Des White, Chair of WBVC explains;

“What has made this new organisation work so well is the support of MP’s, local council officials, SPVA and the veterans, it’s made it possible to raisethe issues of booklet Veterans and Serving Personnel within the Wigan Borough, and to move forward the support and recognition that Service personnel and veterans deserve for the outstanding contribution to our country.

“Anyone needing support or advice, can pop in to our office or ring and make an appointment; we can also visit veterans in their own homes, if needed. We hold events across the Borough, and will be starting advice surgeries in October this year.”

Veterans and their dependants are offered advice and guidance about a range of services and service providers available locally and nationally including SPVA, Health and Social Care services, Housing options and Employment and Education opportunities. This includes updating Service personnel on local services when leaving the forces and returning to the borough.

They know that to achieve this, working in partnership is important. To ensure this, they are developing a good relationship with Wigan Council which provides a great deal of support.

"By building strong working partnerships with all statutory and ex-Service organisations Wigan Borough Veterans Council will provide a service that will help improve the quality of lives for veterans and their dependants across the borough.” said Cllr Keith Cunliffe, Wigan Council's Cabinet Champion for Healthy Communities and Older People “Wigan Council is proud to showcase this good practice as a beacon for other authorities to follow."

A recent development with SPVA will also now ensure that both WBVC and SPVA will refer veterans to each other to ensure that all the veterans’ needs are fully met.

WBVC are looking to expand their key partners, especially local and national ex–Service organisations, in the near future.

Resettlement

A soldier with nine months of service left, asked for help with returning to Wigan. WBVC helped him with housing options, sign up with a local doctor and are looking into employment opportunities for him.

Support for families

WBVC were contacted to help a family whose father had passed away and were unsure of how to honour him in recognition of his Service history.

WBVC were able to support them with family meetings, helping organise a flag to drape the coffin and have Standards in attendance. This made the funeral a special day for a family to say goodbye to a much loved father.

Friendship

Events provide much-needed social inclusion for vulnerable veterans. For one veteran, since his wife passed away, the WBVC meetings have become a highlight in his life, “to be with comrades helps drive away the loneliness” he said.

Email enquiries on veterans issues to: veterans.help@spva.gsi.gov.uk

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