The latest issue of our external magazine Veterans WORLD is now online
Our December issue is packed full of articles that highlight the help and support available to veterans and their families. This issue includes an update of the Royal Hospital Chelsea modernisation, details of a brand new charity that's going to provide assistance dogs and news on a centre that just opened in Newcastle to support homeless veterans.
Our striking front page image will draw your attention to a two-page feature on Horseback, a charity supporting rehabilitation for injured personnel.
The current issue and all our back issues are all online and ready to read!
Staff from SPVA offices at Imjin Barracks at Innsworth have joined forces with other Gloucestershire Civil Servants from GCHQ and Gloucester Land Registry to collect for the homeless in their local community..
The three Agencies will collect new underwear, toiletries and other clothing for Gloucestershire’s Emergency Accommodation Resource (GEAR), the only direct homeless charity in Gloucestershire. Appropriately, the campaign will be called ‘Pants for Christmas’!
GEAR performs critical work relieving sickness, poverty and distress, particularly amongst the county’s street homeless.
The campaign will support GEAR who work with Gloucestershire homeless
Dave Aylen, SPVA campaign coordinator said:
“We are pleased to be given this opportunity to get together with other Civil Service organisations in Gloucestershire to help collect as much clothing and toiletries as possible for this worthwhile cause. It is great to be involved with something so positive for our community”.
Further information on the 'Pants for Christmas' campaign can be found here.
We have now released the fourth in our series of videos highlighting a variety of items of interest to the Service and veterans community.
In the latest edition of ‘Veterans Today’, presenter Don Goldie takes viewers on a tour of Ilford Park Polish Home.
Situated just a few miles from Newton Abbot in Devon, the Home provides residential and nursing care for those who qualify for admission under the 1947 Polish Resettlement Act.
This historic establishment, administered by SPVA, has been home to a thriving Polish community for over 60 years. The Home was founded as a result of a promise made by Winston Churchill to the Polish people during the Second World War.
Even today, the Home preserves its distinctly Polish ambience, which is reflected in the food, music and language shared by the residents.
During the programme, Clare Thomas who manages the home on behalf of SPVA, explains how the customs and traditions of the residents continue to be nurtured and how the community has, over the years, become firmly established as an integral and cherished part of Poland, set deep in the Devon countryside.
‘Veterans Today’ is available to view on the Veterans-UK website and is syndicated via iTunes and YouTube and other social media sites - you can find the links on our Social Media Hub.
Tree of Honour celebrations have been held to remember absent family and friends at Christmas
Veterans at the Erskine charity's home in Bishopton recently held Tree of Honour celebrations to remember absent family and friends at Christmas time. Many people have chosen to dedicate a star to loved ones serving on operations in Afghanistan, which will hang on the tree. The wintery evening commenced with a small Lantern Procession from the Old Garden Centre, with well wrapped up residents and children accompanied by a Pipe Band, to The Erskine Home.
Family and friends joined in Carol Singing with the children of Rashielea Primary School and the Happy Days Nursery. Erskine’s Reverend Janet MacMahon led the Dedication Service of the Tree followed by the switching on the Tree lights.
Each Erskine Home will be decorating a Tree of Honour with Purple Stars this Christmas and it’s not too late for you to write your own personal message on a Purple Star and return it with a donation to the charity. If you would like to receive a Star please call the Erskine Fundraising Department on 0141 814 4555.
To find out more about Erskine; visit their website and take a look at some of the resident's testimonials to get an idea of what the charity has meant to them.
