The UK, Scottish and Welsh governments, alongside the Northern Ireland Office, have announced the ‘Strategy for Our Veterans’, a specialised support system for those who have served in the armed forces.
The strategy identifies six key areas where significant improvement is needed: community and relationships; employment, education and skills; finance and debt; health and wellbeing; making a home in a civilian society, and veterans and the law.
BARRIERS
It takes a hard look at the existing barriers veterans face when coming back to civvy street – from a lack of public understanding on the diversity of their experiences, to not enough data on the veteran community.
Defence Secretary @GavinWilliamson welcomes the launch of the first ever UK-wide veterans strategy https://t.co/bnIGOzb5x0 pic.twitter.com/3Vrjrj5ygS
— Ministry of Defence 🇬🇧 (@DefenceHQ) November 14, 2018
Focused on a period of 10 years, it is hoped that by 2028, the strategy will have improved collaboration between organisations to offer veterans more support, and that veterans will feel their service is more valued by their communities.
As part of the package of support, the Veterans’ Gateway’s 24/7 helpline will trial a new service, reaching out to those who have served to check in and update them on the services and support available to them.
SUPPORT
The strategy’s announcement comes just weeks after the country marked the centenary of the armistice of the First World War, to ensure that those who have served, whether in a recent conflict or longer ago, feel appreciated by their government and politicians, upon returning to civvy street.
The first UK-strategy for veterans has been published and welcomed by our Veterans Minister Graeme Dey. The strategy builds on the support already available to veterans in Scotland, for example with health, housing and employment https://t.co/9QjV46b3H3 pic.twitter.com/tlkadZrWV4
— Scottish Government Veterans (@scotgovveterans) November 14, 2018
It’s no secret that transitioning back to civvy street can be daunting, and often a stressful time. Hopefully, this step by the UK governments eases the transition for many, and will make support services more accessible.
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