Front Page I Who is a Veteran ? I News I Features I People I Letters I Reader Offers I What is Veterans WORLD ?I Feedback I Veterans-UK Home I In this issue

MAKING THE MOVE - FROM
THE SERVICES TO CIVILIAN LIFE

Spring 2008 will see the opening of Mike Jackson
House, a new housing project in Aldershot for single
Armed Forces leavers.

Situated within the boundaries of Aldershot Garrison, its opening represents a vital and much-needed
expansion of housing, support and training for single Armed Forces leavers. It will not only provide
temporary accommodation, but will also help equip its residents with the skills to return to civilian life, ensuring
they do not face homelessness.

The project is a result of a partnership between English Churches Housing Group (ECHG), the Ministry of Defence,
Rushmoor Borough Council, Hampshire County Council, the Government’s Communities and Local Government
department and the Housing Corporation.

The project will benefit Service leavers from around the country and will provide accommodation for twenty-five residents (including two for wheelchair users). The project will also offer IT training and life skills training facilities, such as cooking lessons. It also has communal facilities and a gym. The project is named after General Sir Mike Jackson, Chief of the General Staff from 2003 until 2006.

For more information call ECHG’s
housing advice service, SPACES, at
Catterick Garrison who deal with
referrals to the project, on 01748 833797
or visit www.spaces.org.uk

• Online Resource For Service Leavers
• Inheritance Tax
• Pathways Advisory Service
• Making The Move - From The Services To Civilian Life
• The Mental Capacity Act And The Office Of The Public Guardian
• Joining up veterans support across Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
• Veterans Health
• Inquests
• Compensating injured Service Personnel and Veterans
• Round The Clock Support For HM ARMED FORCES
• Same Service Different Name
• Stop Press New compensation rules to benefit seriously injured personnel approved

Top of page

THE MENTAL CAPACITY ACT AND THE
OFFICE OF THE PUBLIC GUARDIAN

The Mental Capacity Act 2005 came into effect in England and Wales on 1 October 2007.

The Act has introduced changes to the
way in which decisions are made for
people lacking the mental ability to
make certain decisions for themselves.
This could be because of mental health
problems, brain injury, dementia, a
learning disability, alcohol or drug
misuse or any other illness or disability.
The decisions can relate to their
personal welfare, property or affairs.

The law has established a new Court
of Protection to deal with all aspects of
the Act. The Court has the power to
decide if someone lacks mental capacity
and, if they do, to decide how decisions
should be made for them. Sometimes,
the Court may appoint someone (a
deputy) to act on behalf of the person
who lacks capacity.

A new position of Public Guardian has
been created, supported by the Office of the Public Guardian (OPG).
This replaces the previous Public Guardianship Office. The OPG will support and supervise deputies appointed by the Court. The deputies replace the current system of receivers andmay make on-going decisions on personalwelfare and financial matters.

As of, 1 October 2007, Lasting Powers of Attorney have replaced Enduring Powers of Attorney.

The OPG will register Lasting Powers of Attorney, which allow people to plan ahead and set out in advance what should happen if they lose the ability to make decisions in the future. While Enduring Powers of Attorney only covered property and affairs, Lasting Powers of Attorney will also cover personal welfare decisions.

For further information call
0845 330 2900 or visit
www.publicguardian.gov.uk

Home I Contact Us I How to Subscribe I FAQs I Who is a Veteran I News I Features I People I Letters I Reader Offers I What is Veterans WORLD ?

Find more information on www.veterans-uk.info