Pathfinder International Magazine – the leading UK Military Resettlement Magazine

Category: Community and Support

Find essential resources and support for community engagement, housing assistance, funding opportunities, and events celebrating and remembering service personnel.

  • The Nation Prepares To Salute Our Forces

    The Nation Prepares To Salute Our Forces

    With less than two weeks to go until Armed Forces Day 2018, preparations are well underway for more than 300 events taking place right across the country…

    The National Event in Llandudno, North Wales, will be a fantastic celebration of our Armed Forces, and thousands will visit the town to thank them for their bravery, sacrifice and dedication.

    It’s not too late to make plans for Armed Forces Day, which this year takes place on Saturday 30th June.

    Use the map here to find an event in your community.

    Show your support for our Armed Forces on social media by using the hashtags #ArmedForcesDay and #SaluteOurForces.

     

     

    Image: © UK MOD Crown Copyright 2018

     

     

     

     

     

  • Your Veterans Need You! Call For Volunteers

    Your Veterans Need You! Call For Volunteers

    Scotland’s largest membership charity for veterans is on the lookout for volunteers to help tackle isolation and loneliness among the Armed Forces community…

    Legion Scotland’s recruitment drive for its Veterans Community Support Service, launched in July 2017, is asking people to spare a few hours to improve support for veterans and their families in the community.

    Kevin Gray MM, Chief Executive Officer of Legion Scotland, said: “We have experienced a huge increase in demand for our unique service since it was launched. In this time, we have helped nearly 300 veterans get back on their feet and feel confident with their surroundings.

    “This is all down to our fabulous volunteers who give their time freely to help others. Isolation and loneliness are genuine problems in the veteran community and they are increasing. It only takes an hour or two a week to make a difference to someone’s life.”

    The incredible value of the service was highlighted when a veteran who was struggling badly with loneliness was referred earlier this year. He was visibly distressed and spoke of desperation and isolation. The veteran explained that he only had the birds that he feeds in his garden as company and that he’d seen very few people between Christmas and spring.

    Legion Scotland took the initiative and followed up to put his mind at ease. Recently, the 90-year-old Royal Horse Artillery spoke about the difference in his life since his new Legion Scotland volunteer started visiting. He said he looks forward to her visits and that they always have plenty to talk about.

    For more information on volunteering with the service, which runs in tandem with the Unforgotten Forces project, please email support@legionscotland.org.uk or call the support team on 0131 550 1560.

     

     

     

     

     

  • Help For Heroes Delivers UK Team For Warrior Games

    Help For Heroes Delivers UK Team For Warrior Games

    Congratulations to the 40 Veterans and Service Personnel who proudly served their country again in the Warrior Games, a major international sports event….

    The team was trained and selected by Help for Heroes to represent the UK at the 2018 Warrior Games from 1 – 9 June in Colorado Springs. They took part in nine adaptive sports: Athletics, Archery, Cycling, Indoor Rowing, Sitting Volleyball, Shooting, Swimming, Powerlifting and Wheelchair Basketball.

    Competitor Ian Primmer served in the Royal Logistic Corps and suffers from PTSD and hip pain. Ian, who competed in cycling, swimming, and shooting, said: “Being able to train and trial for the Games has given me a purpose again, has given me the confidence to take on challenges in my life that I had struggled with for years.

    “As I achieved milestones in my training, things in my life changed in such positive ways and my life is fully unrecognisable in comparison. To actually compete for my country fills me with so much joy.”

    The team won 52 medals in total and achieved 3 Warrior Games records.

     

     

     

     

     

  • Homeless Charity Launches Veterans Appeal

    Homeless Charity Launches Veterans Appeal

    South-West based homeless charity Alabaré has announced the launch of our Homes For Veterans Appeal as we believe that no Veteran should be forced to sleep on the streets…

    By launching our appeal, we are hoping to raise awareness of the housing issues faced by Veterans in their life after the forces. Be it as a result of depression, PTSD or a family breakdown, too many find themselves in the desperate situation of being homeless. We are hoping that by raising awareness of this issue, we can act to provide the hope and confidence that Veterans need for the future.

    Andrew Lord, Chief Executive of Alabaré says: “We see Veterans come to us with a variety of complex needs from issues surrounding mental health to housing. A donation of just £30 will allow us to provide the initial support for a Veteran moving into one of our homes. We are determined to make sure that no Veteran should be forced to sleep on the streets but we need your support.”

    Through your support, our programme designed at helping ex-service personnel is able to provide bed spaces for over 120 Veterans every night, giving a second chance to Veterans like Graham. Graham joined the army aged just 17 years old and served with distinction across the globe as a communications operative. However his life took a dramatic and tragic turn on one particular tour. Graham witnessed a close friend commit suicide and this traumatic event led to him leaving the forces.

    After living in Germany for a short time, Graham returned to the UK where he began working as an engineer. However the psychological impact of his experiences from the military continued to haunt him. Graham struggled to cope with his experiences and turned to alcohol as a way of dealing with his issues.

    His addiction meant that he sought help from a psychiatrist but unfortunately Graham’s issues meant that he lost his accommodation and was faced with the prospect of becoming homeless. It was at this point that Graham was made aware of Alabaré and he was able to move in to one of our dedicated Homes for Veterans.

    With the specialist help and support services on offer to him, Graham has been able to address his addiction issues and now has a much more positive outlook on life. He has been able to get back in to full-time employment at an IT company and has since moved on to a flat through the local council. Graham still continues to receive outreach support from Alabaré but sees himself in a much better place now: “I’m so thankful for the support I’ve received from Alabaré, they’ve helped me get back on to my own two feet.”

    Alabaré are asking people to make a donation which would help to ensure that vulnerable Veterans such as Graham can have a room and support at one of our Homes for Veterans. Alabaré believe that with your help, we can make sure that no other Veteran is ever forced to sleep on the streets. To find out more please visit www.alabare.co.uk

     

     

     

     

     

  • Families’ Days: Bringing Naval Communities Together

    Families’ Days: Bringing Naval Communities Together

    As the national charity of the Royal Navy and Royal Marines, the RNRMC understands that while one person joins, it’s the whole family that serves…

    It is imperative that the families of those in the Naval Service are offered the support they need throughout life.

    With Royal Navy sailors away on deployments of up to nine months at a time, the families left at home can often be affected by social isolation and a sense detachment. Families’ Days are vitally important to the Naval Community, as the loved ones of those serving are given the opportunity to socialise and bond with other members of the naval community.

    “Families Days are a thank you to the families for putting up with all the hassle during the year. A lot of our guys are out on the road during the year, they go out and do repairs and things like that, so families are left at home. This is our thank you to them.” — Rachel Jones, Assistant Business Manager, 1710 Naval Air Squadron

    Not only do these days offer entertainment for children, but they often give families a vital insight into the working lives of the serving family member. In 2018, the RNRMC has distributed over £30,000 to help fund 16 Families’ Days with more planned throughout the country’s naval bases.

    Recent successful days by HMS Heron, RNAS Yeovilton and the 1710 NAS have seen families enjoy games, various demonstrations and entertainment for children. Each event is catered in a different manner, but all bring families together to bond over food, drink and fun.

    Marie-Louise Shepherd, Ex-Royal Signals, wife and mother said; “It is lovely because you get to meet all of your husband’s friends and colleagues, and to really understand what they do. You feel a part of it because sometimes you can feel a little bit isolated when you move around. But when you come to these places, you get to see all the fun aspects, meet everyone and feel part of the family”.

    To apply for your unit or base Families Day, click here or call 02393871520.

     

     

     

     

     

  • Find The Right Home In the Right Place

    Find The Right Home In the Right Place

    This summer Housing Options Scotland will be holding free drop in events all over the country to give housing information, advice and support to disabled veterans and those who support them…

    The drop-in events will include:

    • Presentations on housing.

    • Information stalls from local and national organisations working with disabled people, older people, disabled veterans and those who support them.

    • The chance to speak to housing professionals about your housing needs.

    As these are drop-in events, you can head along whenever suits you. Refreshments will also be on offer!

    If you would like to find out more about these events and book your free place, you can go on to the website at www.housingoptionsscotland.org.uk or you can call on 0131 247 1400.

     

     

     

     

     

  • Soldiers’ Charity Awards Combat Stress £350k

    Soldiers’ Charity Awards Combat Stress £350k

    Combat Stress has been awarded a grant of £350,000 from ABF The Soldiers’ Charity to support the work it does to help veterans with mental health problems…

    In the last decade, the veterans’ mental health charity has seen a 143% increase in referrals. Combat Stress research, NHS England and the Ministry of Defence all estimate a continued increase in the number of veterans seeking help for mental health issues.

    Robert Marsh, Director of Income Generation at Combat Stress said; “We’re extremely grateful to ABF The Soldiers’ Charity for supporting Combat Stress and veterans with mental health conditions. Each year we receive 2,000 referrals from former servicemen and women with trauma-related mental health problems such as anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder. This generous grant will enable to us to continue to provide our life changing treatment.”

    Brigadier (Ret’d) Robin Bacon, Chief of Staff ABF The Soldiers’ Charity adds; “We are very proud to support Combat Stress with this grant. It is vital that we help our veterans with mental health care and provide them with top quality services when they are in need. Thank you to Combat Stress for the significant work you do.”

     

     

     

     

     

  • Scotland Rugby Star Launches Poppyscotland Fundraiser

    Scotland Rugby Star Launches Poppyscotland Fundraiser

    Hamish Watson, the Scotland and Edinburgh Rugby star, hopped to it to help launch a brand-new family fundraiser in aid of leading Armed Forces charity Poppyscotland…

    The Big Poppy Bounce will see supporters of all ages descend upon BT Murrayfield to climb aboard space hoppers and race 100 metres – one metre for each year of the centenary- and help our veterans bounce back into civilian life in the process.

    Taking place over the back pitches at the iconic home of Scottish Rugby on Sunday, 19th August, it is hoped the Big Poppy Bounce will raise more than £10,000 to support Poppyscotland’s life-changing work for the Armed Forces community living in Scotland.

    Speaking at the launch, flanker Watson said: “This is a really great new event for an important cause. It has been a long time since I jumped on a space hopper and I don’t remember it being so tough on the legs! It is for an incredibly worthwhile cause and it’s even more important in this centenary year that we go the extra mile to remember those that have made the ultimate sacrifice, and to help veterans who urgently need Poppyscotland’s support today.”

    There will be a range of hopper races throughout the afternoon for all ages, including a family relay, along with fun family activities to suit the young and young-at-heart. There will be music and entertainment, cheerleading workshops, ice-cream, a selfie station, face painting and even a poppy quiz. The event ‘kicks-off’ at 11:30am on the 19th August.

    Poppyscotland’s Head of Fundraising, Gordon Michie, said: “Our Armed Forces community cannot wait until November for us to help, so it’s really important that we continue to introduce new events like this. This is the first event we’ve launched specifically targeted at families, and we hope they hop down to BT Murrayfield in their hundreds.”

    Entry is £10 for adults and over-16s; £5 for those aged five-to-16; and free for the under-fives. Anyone who raises more than £50 in sponsorship will be able to take their specially branded Poppy Space Hopper home. For more information and to register, please visit www.poppyscotland.org.uk/bounce

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • New Homes For Veterans Open In Aldershot

    New Homes For Veterans Open In Aldershot

    Thirty four brand new purpose-built homes have been opened in Aldershot to address the lack of housing for former members of the Armed Forces…

    Centenary Lodge on Evelyn Avenue will be home to a mixed community of Veterans of different ages, their partners and families. The new homes will be run by Stoll, the leading provider of housing and support for Veterans.

    Her Royal Highness The Countess of Wessex, who is Stoll’s Patron, met some of the residents and formally opened the new building.

    Ed Tytherleigh, CEO of Stoll, said: “We are working to ensure that anyone who serves their country has an appropriate place to live – a place to call home where they can rebuild their lives. We are very grateful to all our funders for making this special place possible.”

    Sarah Green, an environmental health technician in HQ Regional Command, is leaving the Army this September following a successful 18-year career. Her decision to leave was largely influenced by her need to care for her severely asthmatic four-year old son, who is regularly in and out of hospital.

    She said: “Getting out of the Armed Forces and looking for a home and a job at the same time, everything changing at once, was quite an overwhelming prospect. Discovering this Stoll property has provided me with a real lifeline. It means that I can stay in Aldershot and my son can stay at his school and has continuity of care at the same hospitals.

    “The affordable accommodation means that my family life can start to take shape. It will also be great to be living around people from the Armed Forces community, who can understand me in a time of transition.”

    Councillor Jacqui Vosper, Rushmoor Borough Council’s Armed Forces Champion, said: “There is a real shortage of this kind of social housing for veterans, who have given so much to their country, so we are delighted to welcome them and their families to Aldershot.”

    Head of Grants and Social Policy at The Royal British Legion, Steve Baynes said: “Access to suitable housing is a key need for many people eligible for the Legion’s help. Stoll’s Centenary Lodge Housing development will help the residents achieve the confidence they need to live independently and get back on their feet.

    “Our contribution of £675,000 to this project is one of a number of grants to other organisations that highlights the Legion’s commitment to providing lifelong support for the Armed Forces Community.”

     

     

     

     

     

  • SSAFA Armed Forces Day Celebration In Stafford

    SSAFA Armed Forces Day Celebration In Stafford

    To celebrate this year’s Armed Forces Week, the Staffordshire branch of SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity, will be holding a family fundraiser on Saturday 23 June at CASA, in Bridge Street, Stafford…

    The mayor of Stafford will be officially opening the afternoon fundraiser at 12.30pm, which will include a barbeque, cake sale and entertainment from The Cannock Ex-Servicemen’s Male Voice Choir and The Military Wives Choir.

    There will be military memorabilia on display and the opportunity to chat to people from both the serving and ex-serving local community.

    Alan Alderman, Branch Secretary of the Staffordshire branch explains: “Armed Forces week gives us a great opportunity to bring the work of SSAFA to the local community, while also providing a great day out for local families.

    “We’re hoping that the day raises awareness for the charity as well as vital funds to support the Armed Forces community across Staffordshire.”

    SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity provides lifelong support to those currently serving, veterans and their families. Through its dedicated network of volunteers across the country, SSAFA offers practical, emotional and financial help to the Armed Forces community in their hour of need.