Suffolk Military Covenant: News

Here are some of the key news items on local services and activities and announcements.

18 April 2024: Today saw the launch of the free 'At Your Side' guides, produced by Suicide Bereavement UK and commissioned by NHS England, have been written to support veterans, families and serving personnel, and were co-produced with bereaved individuals.

12 April 2024: Today the Prime Minister announced - OP PROSPER - a new service leavers and veterans employment support service. OP PROSPER will be backed by £2.1 million in government funding and support veterans in securing jobs, where they can hone the skills that they developed in the military in key sectors like cyber and digital, manufacturing, energy and financial and professional services. 

4 April 2024: Fundraising baker David Brown, fondly known as Lord Drizzle of Beccles, was presented with a Points of Light Award on the bank holiday weekend, in recognition of the £120,000 he has raised for Help for Heroes since 2009.

21 March 2024: The Forces Employment Charity research highlights a critical issue many female veterans face: underestimating their transferrable skills. 62% of female ex-forces sometimes downplay the valuable skills they acquired during their military careers, compared to only 56% of male veterans.

28 February 2024: BCC News article announces that Essex-based research into GP-prescribed fishing to be expanded.  The Casting Away Trauma project has helped hundreds of military veterans but could also support emergency service workers.  Trials will be carried out at lakes near Harwich over a number of years.

11 February 2024: The Armed Forces Public and Patient Voice (PPV) Group Impact Report 2020-2023 has been published.  The PPV membership stretches right across the Armed Forces Community and together we work in partnership with the NHS England Armed Forces Healthcare team and the Armed Forces Clinical Reference Group. This report highlights some of the achievements around informing service specifications, commissioning policies and decision-making. It remains my privilege to be part of the amazing group of people.

28 January 2024: Following a pilot tranche, applications to the new HM Armed Forces Veteran Card can now be made online - it's free to apply.  The HM Armed Forces Veteran Card is a way to prove that you served in the UK armed forces. The card can make it quicker and easier to apply for support as a veteran.

26 January 2024: new report: A new report recommends reform to help ex-Service personnel avoid homelessness and rough sleeping.

24 January 2024: The Ministry of Defence announces the new armed forces resettlement contract that will offer more support for service leavers and veterans through REED in Partnership.

12 January 2024: Today marks twenty-four years since the Government lifted its ban on LGBT personnel serving in the British Armed Forces.  The Royal British Legion Urges Veterans Affected by the LGBT Ban to Claim Support./  

12 January 2024: Today marks twenty-four years since the Government lifted its ban on LGBT personnel serving in the British Armed Forces.  The Royal British Legion Urges Veterans Affected by the LGBT Ban to Claim Support./  

20 December 2023: This announcement provides an introduction to the UK Armed Forces Covenant and Veterans Annual Report 2023 that has just been published.

27 November 2023: Local news article reports National Award to local Gurkha soldier for his Property Development Entrepreneurship.

13 November 2023: Suffolk Mind - Conversations in the Community is a Free online course to help you support others. Participants will build confidence in how to have conversations about mental health and wellbeing, to be there for others in their community. 

30 October 2023: The Forces in Mind Research Centre publishes research paper Older Veterans in the UK: A review of current research. 

26 October 2023: The Office for Veterans' Affairs- Supporting Our Veterans - Veterans Consultation  The Government is calling on UK veterans and organisations to share their views and experiences in a consultation to help shape the future of veteran policies. This consultation closes at 5pm on 4 January 2024.

18 October 2023: The Covenant Fund Trust - One Is Too Many grants programme awarded £2.1 million to projects providing specialist and coordinated services that reduce suicide risk in veterans.  A Key Lessons Useful Guide has been published.

29 September 2023: The Office for Veterans Affairs - The Veterans’ Mobility Fund will deliver grants and equipment for veterans with mobility needs linked to their service, providing aids usually unavailable through the NHS. Announcement.

24 August 2023: Update: The Office for Veterans Affairs: Strategy for our Veterans – 6 monthly Report: August 2023.  Strategy for our Veterans, 6 monthly Report, August 2023 (publishing.service.gov.uk)

29 August 2023: Ministers join forces to encourage veterans to self declare to GPs.  There are 26 GP Surgeries in Suffolk who have become RCGP accredited Veterans Friendly Surgeries. Read this latest announcement.

21 August 2023: Suffolk Military Heritage Icon restored

HMS Ganges at Shotley was a Royal Navy training depot which closed in 1976.  The icon sailing mast has been restored as part of the redevelopment of the site. Visit the announcement.

21 July 2023: Update: HM Armed Forces Veteran Card

The Office for Veterans Affairs provides an update on the development of the veteran identity card scheme. Visit the announcement.

7 July 2023: Former Marine with PTSD lays bare the true cost of alcohol

A series of short videos that includes the deeply personal story of a former serving Royal Marines Commando has been made for the Lympstone-based RMA – The Royal Marines Charity in its support of Alcohol Awareness Week (3 – 9 July 2023), which theme this year is ‘Alcohol & Cost’.  

4 July 2023: Hotline to end veteran homelessness launched

The government has announced that from today, vulnerable veterans will have access to Op FORTITUDE, a new dedicated referral pathway for homeless veterans, including those sleeping on the streets.  Veterans who are homeless or at risk of homelessness and the organisations working with them are encouraged to contact the Op FORTITUDE hotline on 0800 952 0774 or through a secure web portal. 

Further information: Veterans Services - Riverside

26 June 2023: FiMT moral injury animation - veterans mental health

Lead by the Forces in Mind Trust and the King’s Centre for Military Health Research (KCMHR) have released a new video looking at moral injury.  The video covers what individuals and their loved ones can do in cases of moral injury and the formal support we have developed at KCL & Combat Stress to help those with moral injury-related mental health difficulties. View the Video.

22 June 2023: Suffolk Armed Forces Week: Woodbridge Parade event

Lead by East Suffolk Council, this years Suffolk Armed Forces Week took take place in Elmhurst Park, Woodbridge on the afternoon of Thursday 21st June 2023. Read all about this event.

30 May 2023: Suffolk Armed Forces Week: Community connection honoured at Woodbridge

Lead by East Suffolk Council, this years Suffolk Armed Forces Week parade will take place in Elmhurst Park, Woodbridge on Thursday 21st June 2023. Read all about their initiatives leading into this event.

6 May 2023: Royal Anglian’s support Kings Coronation

Three King’s Colour Parties and a marching contingent of 3+24 drawn from across the Regiment joined other members of the armed forces for the coronation of His Majesty The King. Read their story.

28 March 2023: Serving Armed Forces Family Carers benefit from Covenant Grant

Local charity Suffolk Family Carers have been successful in securing continuation funding towards their dedicated support to family carers in serving UK Armed Forces Families. Read the press release.

23 February 2023: Op Courage mental health service for armed forces personnel and veterans has expanded.  Essex Partnership University (NHS Foundation Trust) has announced its new enhanced contract from NHS England.  View Press Release.

20 January 2023: Airborne Sappers passed for Public Duties

Soldiers from Suffolk based 23 Parachute Engineers have passed inspection to undertake a short tour of Public Duties at Royal Palaces. See the Forces TV News Video.

20 November 2022: Royal British Legion Cost of Living Help

The energy cost top up grant announced by the RBL is aimed at reducing the impact of the cost-of-living crisis on Serving personnel, veterans and their families in need of extra support and is designed to prevent them from reaching a point of crisis. Any member of the Armed Forces community wanting to access the grants can find out more and apply directly at RBL Cost of Living webpage or call 0808 802 8080

17 November 2022: NSFT launches women in the UK Armed Forces online forum

Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust (NSFT) is launching a new online forum to support women who are serving or have served as reservists or in the British Armed Forces. See Press Release for more

26 October 2022: The Warrior Programme

Supporting the transition into civilian life.  Each programme is an intensive training course which helps people develop methods of resilience and manage emotions, deal with everyday life as well as help with focus and achievement. Delivered online over 5 days or face-to-face residential over 3-days), the course is followed by 12 months of ongoing help, which includes regular refresher session and online support.

#serving #serving-families #veterans #veterans-families
https://www.warriorprogramme.org.uk/

29 September 2022: Ipswich Borough Council develops its armed forces offer

Veterans and serving personnel will benefit from enhanced efforts to support the local armed forces community by Ipswich Borough Council.  Ipswich Borough Council improves services for past and present Armed Forces personnel | Ipswich Borough Council

11 September 2022: Proclamation of the Accession of King Charles III in Suffolk

Just days after her Majesty The Queen passed away, towns and villages across Suffolk formally announced the Proclamation of the Accession of King Charles III. Here’s is a summary of Suffolk’s engagement.

30 August 2022: One is Too Many – New initiative to tackle veteran suicide

The Forces Employment Charity ‘One is Too Many’ campaign aims to tackle veteran suicide as part of its Project Nova programme. Project Nova is a specialist initiative which offers tailored support to some of the country’s most vulnerable veterans.  Visit the One is Too Many website

27 June 2022: Suffolk marks Armed Forces Week with parade in Hadleigh

Led by Babergh District Council and Hadleigh Town Council, representatives from local UK Armed Forces Units and cadets formed an early evening parade for the community to give its thanks. Read the news release.

20 April 2022: Improving veterans mental and physical health services
NHS England has launched a survey to find out people’s views and experiences of veterans mental and physical health services. The information gathered will be used to help inform the development and provision of these services in the future. Visit the survey toolkit and webpage.

14 April 2022: Stepped up mental health funding for veterans of Afghanistan

The Office for Veterans’ Affairs Afghanistan Veterans’ Fund announces grant awarded to around 50 organisations across the UK - The Royal Anglian Benevolent Charity awarded £35,000 towards Royal Anglian Veterans Reunited. Read the announcement and grant recipients.

4 April 2022: New Armed Forces Commissioner

We are pleased to announce that Lee Holloway has agreed to take over as the new Armed Forces Commissioner for Suffolk for the next 3 years. Read the Press Release

24 February 2022: Visa fees scrapped for Non-UK Service Personnel

The Government has announced that visa fees will be waived for those who have served in the UK Armed Forces for a minimum period of six years or been discharged due to an illness or injury attributable to their service. View the Press Release