Service Personnel and Veterans Agency

SPVA Charity Hub near completion

2012-01-18T07:52:00.000Z

If you're an organisation or charity supporting the veterans community, then make sure we have your details to add to our new Charity Hub which is due to be launched at the end of the month.

The Charity Hub will provide information on organisations, charities or services that support veterans, in either the community or voluntary sector.

Get your smart phones ready

2012-01-17T17:56:00.001Z

Here at SPVA, we're looking at ways people search for information and we're also embracing digital and social media so we can share our information in different ways.

So, for those of you lucky enough to have a Smart Phone, here's a SPVA QR code to scan that will take you directly to our website.

We'd be interested to know if you use QR codes to find information, so post a comment and let us know.

SPVA is getting more sociable

2012-01-16T14:02:00.000Z

We launched our Facebook page today. The page will complement our existing social media work on Twitter, podcasts and videos, which can be found on our Social Media Hub.

If you use Facebook as a way of finding or sharing information then your help in raising awareness of our Facebook page would be greatly appreciated. Simply visit our page today and click on the share button on the left hand side of the page.

Latest Community Covenant signed

2012-01-12T07:48:00.000Z

Earlier this week, BroxtoweBorough in Nottinghamshire showed its support for the local Armed Forcesyesterday by signing up to the Community Covenant Scheme.

The Community Covenant was signed by representatives fromthe Broxtowe Borough Partnership, Voluntary Action Broxtowe and the borough'scivilian community.

The first Community Covenant,a voluntary statement of mutual support between a civilian community and itslocal Armed Forces Community, was signed in Oxfordshire in June 2011.

It followed the publicationof the Armed Forces Covenant in May 2011 which outlined the moral obligationbetween the Nation, the Government and the Armed Forces and aims to improvesupport to the Armed Forces Community (which includes serving personnel, theirfamilies and veterans).

Make Your Opinion Count

2012-01-09T12:55:00.000Z

The Veterans' Customer Satisfaction Survey is available to complete up until the end of February

The Veteran's Customer Satisfaction Survey was launched online today, 9 January, and if you are part of the veteran's community we urge you to have your say.

SPVA provides pay, pension and support services to both Military Personnel and the Veteran's Community, directly serving around 900,000 members of the Armed Forces Community.

The survey is based around the services provided to veterans, with emphasis on; how they contact us and how we correspond; making a claim; the Veteran's Welfare Service and how information about SPVA is obtained.

Over 3,000 people took part in the 2011 survey and this kind of feedback is extremely useful to establish what is important to the individuals that use our services.

Jon Parkin, Head of SPVA Veterans Services, recording the podcast

As Jon Parkin, Head of SPVA Veterans Services said in his recent podcast interview;

"...the survey is not just here to give us a pat on the back. We want and need to know the bad as well as the good about the services received. The only way we can do this is by getting feedback from our customers."

The survey is entirely anonymous and no-one will be contacted by phone or sent mailings as a result of completing it.

The survey can be accessed here, the survey will close on 29 February 2012.

Get ready for the 2012 Veterans' Survey

2012-01-04T19:07:00.001Z

Next week, SPVA will be launching the Veterans' Customer Satisfaction Survey that can be completed online.

In our first podcast of 2012, SPVA presenter Joanne Lowe interviews Jon Parkin, Head of SPVA Veterans Services, about the survey.

If you want to know how you can get involved, then take a listen. The podcast can be downloaded straight from our website or via iTunes.

Find out more about the Veterans Welfare Service

2012-01-04T18:57:00.000Z

Late last year, we released our newest video. The five minute film, the latest in the Agency’s ‘Veterans Today’ series, aims to raise awareness of the one-to-one help provided by Veterans Welfare Service, in the home if needed, to anyone who has served in the Armed Forces.

In the film, Presenter Don Goldie investigates the origins of the service nearly a century ago, when its role was to look after the welfare needs of First World War casualties, Service widows and orphans, though to the current day and those affected by operations in Afghanistan. The video explains how the Veterans Welfare Service has retained its core principles, whilst adapting to a much wider role as part of the Government’s commitments under the Armed Forces Covenant. It shows how welfare support is provided automatically to those medically discharged and for those bereaved by service, with an ‘on request’ service to all other members of the veterans community, including dependents and families.

Alison Davies, Manager of the Veterans Welfare Service for the UK and Ireland, explained how important the video is to raising awareness about the service among generations of veterans:

“The Veterans Welfare Service has been providing help and support to the veterans community for almost 100 years and through two World Wars. Our more recent work includes helping those who have served in Afghanistan and Iraq but we are still here for veterans of any age, no matter when or for how long they served. This video will really help us raise awareness of our services and I hope it encourages any veterans who need welfare support to get in touch.”

The Veterans Welfare Service works in partnership with the Armed Forces, Service and ex-Service charities, local authorities and local Veterans Advisory and Pensions Committees to deliver a quality welfare service that promotes independence and dignity via continuous support. Veterans requiring welfare help or assistance can contact the service by calling the Veterans-UK helpline, free, on 0800 169 2277.

Our ‘Veterans Today’ videos are available on the SPVA Social Media Hub that can be accessed via the Veterans-UK website - . They are also available via the SPVA channel on YouTube

Upholding the pledge

2011-12-21T09:55:00.000Z

The new ministerial committee will uphold pledges to the Armed Forces

A new ministerial committee will ensure that the Government delivers promises made under the Armed Forces Covenant as part of a cross-Government effort to keep the interests of Service Personnel at the heart of the nation.

The committee, led by Oliver Letwin, Minister for Government Policy, will oversee the work and ensure that momentum is maintained.

The new committee will work closely with the Covenant Reference Group which is made up of charities and families federations to raise issues on behalf of Service personnel, their families and veterans.

The December Issue

2011-12-12T17:38:00.000Z

The last issue of Veterans WORLD for 2011 is now online.

In our December Issue you can: take a look at the new St Dunstan's Centre in Llandudno, find out how veterans may be entitled to help with small house repairs or learn about the National Arboretum's future plans in their tenth anniversary year.

From regional initiatives to national services, this issue covers a variety of topics to health care news, employment support to the Community Covenant Grants Scheme. This is just a taster of what's in the magazine, so take a look today.

Our latest video now online

2011-12-06T15:34:00.000Z

We've just released our latest 'Veterans Today' video.

In this, our sixth video, SPVA presenter Don Goldie looks at the history of the Veterans Welfare Service. Established nearly a century ago, the service continues to support the veterans community today.

Get Connected

2011-11-23T11:34:00.001Z

If you're interested in resettlement support, then you may have read our earlier post on CTP.

CTP - The Career Transition Partnership , is a partnering agreement between the Ministry of Defence and Right Management, who are global career development and outplacement specialists, with the Regular Forces Employment Agency and Officers Association providing employment support. The CTP provides resettlement and career transition services to all eligible Armed Forces Service leavers as part of their resettlement process, helping to make the transition from military to civilian life as smooth and successful as possible.

Connect is CTP's bi-annual publication and the second issue of ‘Connect’ ‘Informing Your Future -– An Update to Armed Forces Resettlement’ can be viewed online.

Complimenting and following on from the comprehensive overarching guidance contained in Issue 1, this issue includes detailed updates and features: from the support available to those on the Armed Forces redundancy programme, opportunities being developing for the Wounded, Injured and Sick (WIS), news of the government’s Talent Retention System aimed at helping employees across the advanced manufacturing and engineering sectors, the huge success of the CTP’s ongoing collaboration with BT Openreach to secure hundreds of Service leavers employment, and a guide to the new and much-improved CTP website.

Connect should be on your reading list if you are planning to leave the Services or currently in the Resettlement process.

Maintaining the Roll of Honour

2011-11-23T10:30:00.001Z

You may be aware that our website holds information and links for the Armed Forces Memorial (AFM) and it also houses the AFM Roll of Honour Facility.

The Roll of Honour* details deaths in Service since January 1, 1948 and is normally updated monthly. Its search facility potentially allows you to search for a person who died while they were serving.

The Roll of Honour has just been updated and potentially records the details of Service Personnel up to and including October 31, 2009. Partial records are potential available for those who died from November 1, 2009 to October 31, 2010.

It potentially provides details about Service personnel who died over two years ago. Partial records are normally reviewed two years after the date of death when more information may be available.

The search facility is simple to use, requiring either the surname,forenames or initials and/or the Service number. Once you've found the Service person you're looking for, there is an option to print an AFM certificate.

*Inclusion on the Armed Forces Memorial and the Roll of Honour is determined by the AFM Trustees Inclusion criteria.

Join the Hub

2011-11-17T14:19:00.001Z

If you support veterans...listen to our podcast and get in on the Charity Hub

You may have seen our earlier blog post about the development of a new Charity Hub on our website. Our latest podcast features an interview with Karen Awere from the External Communications Team talking about the Hub.

Karen said:

"Our website has an average of 50,000 visitors per month so this should give you an idea of how many people could find out about your services and how you support veterans."

Clare Ellis interviews Karen Awere in the studio

It's not too late to get involved if you are a charity and think your details need to be on the Hub find further information here.

The podcast and other SPVA social media products are available to access on the SPVA Social Media Hub via the Veterans-UK website and on various social media sites such as iTunes and YouTube.

New support package for the Welsh Armed Forces Community

2011-11-16T07:50:00.001Z

A soldier of The Royal Welsh is welcomed home from operations in Afghanistan by his son (stock image)
[Picture: Sergeant Ian Forsyth, Crown Copyright/MOD 2011]

A package of support for theArmed Forces Community in Wales has been launched by the Welsh Government.
There are estimated to be atleast a quarter of a million members of the Armed Forces Community in Walesincluding serving personnel, reservists, cadets and all their families as wellas ex-Service personnel.
The package of support sets outcommitments to the Armed Forces Community on devolved matters. These include ongoing as well as newcommitments and range from healthcare and housing to education and childcare.

A remembrance broadcast

2011-11-11T13:05:00.001Z

Radio 4 are marking Remembrance with a special selection of programmes

On Remembrance Sunday at 14.45 hours, Radio 4 is scheduled to broadcast the burial that took place on 1 September at Sanders Keep Cemetery, France of an unidentified British World War 1 soldier , known to have died whilst serving with the Machine Gun Corps (MGC).

The Coverage will include interviews with Captain Nick Stanley and Wing Commander Graham August from the British Embassy in Paris, Graham Sacker from the MGC Association and Sue Raftree from the Joint Casualty and Compassionate Centre.

First Field of Remembrance in Scotland

2011-11-11T11:00:00.001Z

Ian Murray with a volunteer planting the crosses in the Field of Remembrance

HibernianFC captain Ian Murray took a break from training andjoined volunteers to help with the planting of thousands of crosses inScotland’s first ever Field of Remembrance, which opened this week, as part of events to mark the 90^th anniversary of theScottish Poppy Appeal.

Followinga large fundraising appeal mailing to homes across Scotland,Poppyscotland, the charity behind the Appeal, brought in volunteers to helpwith the planting of 11,000 remembrance crosses in the Field of Remembrance in Princes StreetGardens, Edinburgh,which will be situated next to the traditional Garden of Remembrance.

Volunteers helped plant 11,000 remembrance crosses

Speakingof his support Hibernian captain Ian Murray said:

“It is an honour to be ableto represent Hibernian Football Club at the Field of Remembrance. RemembranceSunday is a day that everyone should respect and it is an opportunity to paytribute to everyone who has given their lives for this country. I will bewearing my poppy with pride again this year and I would encourage any Hiberniansupporter to follow suit because it is such a worthy cause.”

ColinFlinn from Poppyscotland added:

“We arevery grateful to Hibernian FC for their support. It’s been a big undertaking toensure that the thousands of crosses are included in the display so thatmembers of the public can view the personal and heartfelt messages dedicated toindividuals. All our volunteers have worked tremendously hard over the past fewdays and I give them my deepest thanks. We wanted to do something special to markthe 90^th anniversary of the Scottish Poppy Appeal and we have beenoverwhelmed by the response from our supporters in building a unique display ofcollective remembrance.”

TheField of Remembrance will be open till Sunday13^th November for public to view. It will be situated adjacent tothe traditional Garden of Remembrance on the other side of the Scott Monument.Visiting members of the public who wish to plant crosses can obtain them fromthe on-site kiosk.

Why heroes are making a return to former battlefields

2011-11-11T11:00:00.000Z

To mark Remembrance Sunday, the BigLottery Fund (BIG) has produced a podcast featuring the stories of two WorldWar Two veterans funded through its Heroes Return programme. To date, BIG hasawarded over £25 million to more than 51,000 Second World War veterans, their spouses,widows and carers for commemorative journeys back to the places in which they servedover 60 years ago.

The podcast includes firsthand accountsfrom Doug Mayman, who is travelling back to Normandyin April with his daughter to retrace his steps using personal wartime diaries,and Ted Hedges, who talks about his trip back to the Azoreswhere he served with RAF Coastal Command.

Big Lottery Fund Chief Executive PeterWanless also explains what the Heroes Return programme means to him and the BigLottery Fund.

Are you a veteran of World War Two or doyou know someone who is?

The programme is still open for applications until 31January 2012 for journeys up to 31 December 2012 by those who are yet toreceive funding. More information is available via the Heroes Return 2 adviceline: 0845 00 00 121 or by visiting the website.

Art for Heroes - check your TV planner

2011-11-09T08:16:00.001Z

The BBC Two Culture Show will air a programme Art for Heroes this Friday at 7pm.

The hour-long programme looks at the role of arttherapy in the rehabilitation of ex-Servicemen suffering from post-traumaticstress disorder.

Presenter Tim Samuels meets veterans of recent British conflicts in theFalklands, the Persian Gulf and Northern Ireland, who reveal their personalbattle with PTSD as a result of their military career. They are now using an unlikely weapon to helpfight the psychological wounds of war - art.

Visiting art therapy sessions, Samuels discovers howdrawing, sculpting and painting are helping the veterans manage the symptoms ofPTSD. Dr Lukas Konopka, a professor of neurology in Chicago, has investigatedthe effects of art therapy on the brain in the treatment of PTSD. The resultsprovide strong evidence of art's potential to heal

The Pingat Jasa Malaysia Medal

2011-11-08T07:39:00.003Z

British veterans awarded the PingatJasa Malaysia (PJM) medal have been given permission by Her Majesty The Queen towear it for the first time during Remembrance events next Sunday.

The Government of Malaysiaintroduced the medal in 2005 and awarded it to British and Commonwealthveterans who served in the conflict in Malaya inthe late 1950s and 1960s.

Approvalis not normally given for foreign medals to be accepted if British recognitionfor a campaign has already been presented. Previously, veterans had been ableto accept but not wear the medal. It has now been agreed they can both acceptand wear the PJM.

This was doneto recognise the generous gesture by the King and Government of Malaysia, andtheir wish to award the PJM in recognition of service given by many veterans inthe difficult years leading up to and following Malaysian independence.

Information on how to apply for the PJM medal can be found on our website.

Armed Forces Covenant recognised in law

2011-11-04T08:54:00.000Z

The Military Court Centre at Bulford Camp. The Armed Forces Act provides the legal basis for the system of military law which exists in the UK [Picture: Gary Tyson, Crown Copyright/MOD 2006]

The principles of the Armed Forces Covenant have been enshrined in law for the first time after the Armed Forces Bill received Royal Assent yesterday.

The new Armed Forces Act 2011 creates the requirement for an annual Armed Forces Covenant report to Parliament each year.

This will set out how the Government is supporting our Armed Forces, their families and veterans in key areas such as healthcare, housing and education.

Still time to make a heroes return

2011-11-02T07:50:00.000Z

Over 39,000 veterans have made a heroes return [image courtesy of BIG Lottery Fund]

To reflect the nation’s debt to the British ArmedForces veterans of the Second World War, the Big Lottery Fund (BIG) has beenawarding grants through its Heroes Return 2 programme. To date BIG has awardedover £25 million to more than 50,000 Second World Warveterans, widows, spouses and carers across the

. The closing date forapplications is January 31, 2012 for journeys until December 31, 2012.

Launched to mark the historic 60th anniversary ofD-Day in 2004, BIG’s first Heroes Return scheme awarded £16.6 million to over39,000 veterans, spouses, widows and carers to fund commemorative visits toSecond World War battlefields, cemeteries and other significant places acrossthe world.

Heroes Return was the centre-piece of the VeteransReunited programme including Home Front Recall which awarded £19.2 million tosupport UK-based group events and activities to commemorate those whocontributed to the war-effort on the home front, and Their Past Your Futurewith an ongoing £9.6 million scheme funding a UK-wide schools and educationprogramme to give young people the opportunity to learn first-hand fromveterans about their experience of war

Are you eligible?

Veterans who fought with or alongside British Forces in the Second World War and who are resident in the UK or the Republic of Ireland are eligible. War widows and widowers of veterans are also eligible for funding and carers and spouses can receive funding to travel with veterans.

For more information and details of how to applyfor a Heroes Return 2 grant call 0845 00 00 121 or go online.

The 2011 Poppy Appeal

2011-10-28T08:39:00.001+01:00

From left: Lance Corporal Ryan Idzi, Staff Sergeant Ritchie Maddocks, Gethin Jones and Sergeant Major Gary Chilton
[Picture: Peter Luckhurst, Crown Copyright 2011]

The 2011 Poppy Appeal was launched yesterday.

Members of the Armed Forces attended the launch of The Royal British Legion's 2011 Poppy Appeal, which aims to break previous years' fundraising totals.

The Poppy Appeal raises funds needed to support those currently serving in Afghanistan, veterans of past conflicts, and their families.

As the UK's leading Armed Forces charity, the RBL revealed today that it hopes to raise £40 million as it celebrates its 90th anniversary this year.

New map to help services to veterans

2011-10-27T07:31:00.000+01:00

If you provide or are planning to provide services to veterans in Scotland, then a new online resource is available for use. A Map focusing on veterans aged between 26 and 65, where the greatest need for additional support lies, can now be found online, along with maps showing veterans in receipt of an AFPS occupational pension and those in receipt of a War Disability pension.

The Maps, which reveal where concentrations of veterans are to be found, are derived from a Scottish Government study on the health of veterans and on data recently released by the MOD and were launched on 4 October 2011.

The maps will be made available to health boards, local authorities and charities to help them plan and deliver their services to veterans in the future.

A chance to say Thank You

2011-10-24T13:04:00.000+01:00

Crackit Productions are looking for inspirational people who have dedicated a lot of time to helping others, who they will reward with a special treat on their new Channel 4 show. They are asking people to nominate a person who has touched their lives in some way and would like to say Thank You. The deserving people could be foster parents, carers, volunteers, charity workers, or even community heroes and they would like to talk to those whose lives have been touched by these people. It’s a fantastic opportunity to reward someone whose hard work may not previously have been recognised.

There may be many worthy nominees within the Armed Forces Community, so please help raise awareness of this appeal. If you can think of someone you would like to nominate, please get in touch and remember the treat for the person being nominated is a surprise, so they must not know they are being nominated!

To put their name forward for this show either email or call 0207 292 3581 / 07531 834 187.

New NHS Treatment Centres for military heroes

2011-10-21T13:30:00.000+01:00

Dr Murrison MP lead a review into the prosthetic services currently offered to veterans by the NHS

Dr Murrison's NHS prosthetics services review recommendations have been supported by the Government.

Prime Minister David Cameron today announced that the Government is investing up to £15 million to support the recommendations to improve prosthetics services for military veterans who have lost a limb due to activities while serving their country.

StartHere . . . again!

2011-10-21T08:50:00.001+01:00

StartHere provides online signposting for help and support

Our second podcast about the online information service is now available,

If you don't know where to go . . . then you should start here

In this second podcast, presenter Clare Ellis interviews Harvey Tilley, Assistant Director - Welfare Services from The Royal British Legion.

The Royal British Legion is one of the partner organisations working with StartHere

Harvey said:

“Helping our beneficiaries find and locate information to help them help themselves is key to our long term strategy. StartHere provides quality, trusted information that is not easily available anywhere else and it is very easy to use. The Royal British Legion has received extremely positive feedback on StartHere and we aim to build on this as part of our new strategy.”

The podcast and other SPVA products are available to access on the SPVA Social Media Hub via our website and on various social media sites such as iTunes and YouTube.

Share your stories for remembrance

2011-10-18T08:15:00.002+01:00

See Hear, the BBC’s programme for the Deaf and Hard of hearing and planning to broadcast a special Remembrance Day episode on 9 November and are keen to find personnel or incident-related stories relating to deafness in conflict or military service.

At the moment their remit is quite wide, so they can identify potential stories. So, you don’t need to have served in the Armed Forces, if you were a civilian in a back-up role such as Fire Watching, Munitions Production, Land Army, Nursing, driving or any of the other myriad roles that need filling during times of conflict, then consider sharing your story.

In fact anything to do with war or conflict, in either the Second World War or more recently in Northern Ireland, the Falklands Conflict, Iraq, Kuwait, the Balkans . . . would be of interest to See Hear, if it involves deafness or hearing loss. Ideally they are looking either for people who have suffered serious hearing loss due to military action or Service or people who were born deaf but have been able to serve in some way during one of the nation’s conflicts. Further details about the potential stories See Hear are looking for, can be found here.

To be considered for the programme, send a brief synopsis of your story via email to John Lakey BBC researcher or call 0121 567660. Then he may contact you to look into it in more detail. Please remember to include: your contact details, email, phone and address.

Do you support veterans?

2011-10-12T13:52:00.001+01:00

Communications Team members working on the Charity Hub

If you work for a charity or organisation providing support and advice to veterans then you may be interested in a new page that's being developed on our website.

Some of my colleagues on the Communications Team are working on a new charity hub that will be housed on our website and is part of our commitment to the Armed Forces Covenant.

The charity hub pages will hold a greater amount of detail, than before, and is designed to assist you, if either YOU need help or you're helping someone else.
This is where we need your help... If you work for an organisation, charity or service that can or does provide support to veterans, in either the community or voluntary sector, then please send us your details so we can add you to our hub.

Our website has on average 40,000 to 50,000 visitors per month. Just think of how many people could find out about your services and how you support the Armed Forces Community.

And it doesn't end here... if you, indeed, just know of a service that veterans could benefit from, then we also would like to hear from you, please just drop us an email and we will endeavour to contact the service provider for more details. We need the following details:

Logo
Title
Background
What kind of help and advice can I get?
Who can get the help and advice?
Contact us
Image (Optional)

We hope this new hub will allow services to reach more of the Armed Forces Community, so they know of the valuable and vast amount of help that is available to them.

If you don't know where to start...StartHere!

2011-10-12T09:16:00.001+01:00

Our latest podcasts focus on this online information service.

StartHere is an online information service where you can search for information on help and support services that are available locally or on a national basis.

A number of organisations, including SPVA, have been working with the StartHere charity to provide specific guidance for the Armed Forces Community.

Spanning two podcasts; the first podcast is now available. It features presenter Joanne Lowe interviewing Jane Gammage, Community Partnerships Manager from StartHere, as she explains more about this innovative service.

Jane said:

"Providing access to reliable information about the services available to them is a crucial step to help people get the support to really make a difference to their lives. This is what StartHere is all about and we are really pleased to be able to make that difference to members of the Armed Forces Community. After listening to the podcast, take a look at StartHere".

The second podcast will be released next week and features presenter Clare Ellis speaking to Harvey Tilley, Assistant Director - Welfare Services for the Royal British Legion to find out about their involvement.

The podcast and other SPVA social media products are available to access on the SPVA Social Media Hub via the Veterans-UK website, and on various social media sites such as iTunes and YouTube.

Tell Us Once

2011-09-30T13:08:00.000+01:00

The Tell Us Once service will help make notifiying bereavement easier

SPVA and Tell Us Once have joined forces to offer a birth and bereavement Service for Service personnel and veterans.

From themiddle of October, our Agency will bejoining the cross-government Tell Us OnceService. Tell Us Once is a voluntary service rolling out nationally over thenext few months. It will make thingssignificantly easier for people reporting a birth or bereavement. Tell Us Once removes the need forcitizens to report the same birth or bereavement to government multiple times.

Tell Us Once will be offered by local authoritiesand a simple postcode search on theDirectgov website will tell you if TellUs Once is available in your area. Eachlocal authority that offers Tell Us Oncemay have its own additional services designed around local needs. Depending on the local council Tell Us Once will be offered as a shortinterview after the registration process, or by telephone.

Tell Us Once is already available in 44 localauthorities and has been used by about 60,000 people. At present it informs 24local and central government services such as tax credits, child benefits and bluebadges. Information will also be passed on to us, so we can update our records andoffer support more quickly to families who need it.

A visit to the Poppy Factory

2011-09-27T12:33:00.002+01:00

Minister for Defence Personnel, Welfare and Veterans, Andrew Robathan, in the Poppy Factory warehouse with the charity's Chief Executive, Melanie Waters
[Picture: Richard Watt, Crown Copyright/MOD 2011]

Have you ever visited the MOD's website? On a daily basis, there are new online stories highlighting news or features that will be of interest to the Armed Forces Community.

I spotted this article online. The Minister for Defence, Personnel, Welfare and Veterans, Andrew Robathan, visited the Poppy Factory charity. Now the charity has launched a five-year campaign to help 500 wounded, sick and injured ex-Service personnel into employment.

To get an idea of what the charity can do, then take a look at our latest issue of Veterans WORLD. In this issue, we've published a double-page feature on the charity (pages 12 and 13) and their plans, with a case study on Ewan Stewart, a disabled veteran they've helped back into employment.

Take a look and find out more . . .

New online mental health forum launched

2011-09-14T15:33:00.000+01:00

The Big White Wall has been designed so it's easy to use with plenty of tips on how to get the best out of the site.

Today an Armed Forces online mental health forum was launched, So, when it comes to dealing with mental health issues, Service personnel, veterans and their families now have access to specialised online help and support.

The online well-being network Big White Wall is equipped to support the mental health needs of the Armed Forces Community. The site is staffed by professional counsellors who can be contacted who can be contacted 24-hours.

Among the services available is the opportunity for Big White Wall users to chat anonymously to others who may have gone through similar experiences.

The Department of Health has also launched an e-learning package it has funded for GPs so they can better identify mental health problems and support veterans and their families.

The course was developed by the Royal College of General Practitioners as part of plans to improve veterans' mental health services.

It will raise awareness with GPs of the need to ensure that those seriously injured when discharged from the Armed Forces continue to receive the best possible care. It will also ensure that GPs are able to offer the right support to families of those currently serving or who are veterans.

The September Issue

2011-09-13T15:03:00.000+01:00

The September issue of Veterans WORLD is now online.

In this issue, you might notice some further changes to the format. With some tweaks to our News in brief section on pages four and five, we are hoping to make the articles here short soundbites on news affecting the Armed Forces Community.

We've got a great feature on Tedworth House, the newest Army Personnel Recovery and Assessment Centre based in Wiltshire. There's also news on Skillforce, the Education charity that's utlising ex-Service Personnels' skills and knowledge to support children in schools. We're also reporting on a new project that's aiming to protect war memorials across the UK. That's just a taster of what in store for you . . . find out more by reading the issue.

And don't forget, we have two ways to view Veterans WORLD online - either download the standard PDF or choose the option to view the issue via ISSUU (a leading digital publishing platform that's free to access). ISSUU provides you with a more interactive, digital version of Veterans WORLD.

Enjoy the issue and let me know what you think.

Planning for resettlement

2011-09-01T14:45:00.000+01:00

The new CTP* website has been launched which provides support to Service Leavers at any stage of their resettlement. Interactive resources will help them personalise their resettlement plan, so they can manage their own resettlement and career transition.

With the homepage integrated into a single page for all visitors, it's now a one-stop shop for easy access to all the help needed to resettle into civilian life.

The website's been enhanced and has lot's of great new features that will help to plan for the future...

^myPlan is an interactive resource

^myPlan - the new interactive resource that will give Service Leavers tools to use, that will help them to manage their own resettlement and career transition.

The personalised area will be customised to Service Leaver as they complete their resettlement journey.

Career Assessment Tools - Online learning; five self-paced activities focus on uncovering values, recognizing past achievements and understanding how interests and skills combine to create key strengths.

Personal Resettlement Plan - Career Objective, Training Plan and Action Steps to log resettlement objectives and training activities. This online format facilitates easy updates and review with an assigned Career Consultant.

CV Builder -Includes guidance, templates and examples to assist with creating a CV that is tailored to the vacancy that is being applied for.

Resettlement Tracker - Charts personal progress on the major milestones of a Service Leaver's resettlement.

This is just a taster of what the new site has to offer, whatever part of the resettlement journey you are on, take a visit today.

*CTP has been the official provider of Armed Forces resettlement since 1998. The Career Transition Partnership (CTP) is the Ministry of Defence working with Right Management.

Service leavers of all ranks from the Royal Navy, Army, Royal Air Force and Royal Marines can all benefit from resettlement support, career transition advice and training opportunities.

One of Harry's heroes

2011-08-24T16:29:00.000+01:00

Captain Martin Freeman pulling a pulk [copyright BBC]

If you had chance to watch the first episode of Harry's Arctic Heroes, then you may be interested in visiting the BBC blog to find out more information about the programme.

In the latest post, Captain Martin Hewitt writes about his experiences and what it meant to be part of the challenge, while recovering from his injuries. Its a great way to learn more about the personal stories behind those who took part in the challenge - from training to facing the terrain of the North Pole. Be inspired.

"If I could achieve that in the most inhospitable environment on the planet, it would signify overcoming the additional challenges my disability have presented me." Captain Martin Hewitt

'Harry's Arctic Heroes' starts tonight

2011-08-23T20:23:00.003+01:00

A new four part series begins tonight on BBC One, following the course of four wounded Afghanistan veterans on an trek to the arctic circle.

Joined by Prince Harry and a BBC crew - Harry's Arctic Heroes - charts their journey in the first unsupported attempt to reach the North Pole by wounded Servicemen. From training to their journey into the arctic circle, the series follows them on an expedition that would challenge an able-bodied explorer . . .

A sense of community

2011-08-05T12:03:00.000+01:00

Have you ever visited the ‘Veterans Community’ area of our website?

Here you can find information on a variety of topics affecting veterans and their families.You can also keep up to date with the latest news on veterans issues, access discounts and special offers from lots of different organisations or find out about the social side of the veterans community with information on Armed Forces Day, veterans events across the UK, tracing comrades and even how to appear on TV.

On a more poignant note, our ‘Remembrance’section host details on the important ways in which the country remembers those who have made the ultimate sacrifice.

So, why not find out more and take a look today.

If you have some information you want to share with the veterans community then send it to us for consideration.

Latest updates to the Roll of Honour

2011-07-28T15:02:00.000+01:00

The Armed Forces Memorial [picture by David Faul]

Our website holds information about the Armed Forces Memorial (AFM) and also houses the AFM Roll of Honour Facility.

The Roll of Honour* details deaths in Service since January 1, 1948 and is normally updated monthly. Its search facility potentially allows you to search for a person who died while they were serving.

The Roll of Honour has just been updated and potentially records the details of Service Personnel up to and including June 30, 2009. Partial records are potential available for those who died from July 1, 2009 to June 30, 2010.

It potentially provides details about Service personnel who died over two years ago. Partial records are normally reviewed two years after the date of death when more information may be available.

The search facility is simple to use, requiring either the surname,forenames or initials and/or the Service number. Once you've found the Service person you're looking for, there is an option to print an AFM certificate.

*Inclusion on the Armed Forces Memorial and the Roll of Honour is determined by the AFM Trustees Inclusion criteria.

Find out why you need to stay safe online

2011-07-27T08:49:00.002+01:00

Think before you . . .

How an MOD campaign is helping the ArmedForces Community stay safe online . . .

With Twitter users sending 200 million tweets per day and over 700billion minutes per month spent on Facebook, Social Media tools have become thequickest way to share information across the world. But who are you sharing information with?

If you use social media as a way to stay in touch, then the onlineguidance produced for the MOD’s Online Security Awareness Campaign – Thinkbefore you share . . . – may be useful for you to enjoy the benefits of sharinginformation while staying safe online.

In our latest podcast,SPVA presenter Joanne Lowe interviews Pippa Norris from the Directorate Media andCommunications to find out more about the campaign.

Pippa said:

“Our campaign is for all the Armed Forces Community. We want people toenjoy using social networks but we also want to ensure they have all theinformation to protect themself online. The information would benefit any member of the Armed Forces Community,so please take a listen to the podcast today”

Laurie Manton, SPVA Spokesman said:

“Aspart of the MOD, we at SPVA have a responsibility to raise awareness of theguidance so that wider awareness can be spread among members of the ArmedForces Community. Our own staff usesocial media as a way to raise awareness of our services, so we have found theguidance useful and it will help us stay safe online too.”

The podcast and other SPVA social media products are available to accesson the SPVA SocialMedia Hub via the Veterans-UK website, www.veterans-uk.info , and on varioussocial media sites such as iTunesand YouTube.

How personal do you want your profile to be?

2011-07-06T11:12:00.005+01:00

The third video for the MOD Online Security Awareness Campaign is now online.

An MOD Civil Servant is using LinkedIn to share her personal information, but how personal does she want her profile to be?

What kind of YouTube hit do you want to be?

2011-07-06T11:06:00.005+01:00

The fourth and final video for the MOD Online Security Awareness Campaign is now online.

A couple of solders are chatting about a video they've shared online, but what sort of YouTube hit do they want to be?

For more information, click here

Armed Forces Community Covenant signed in Catterick

2011-07-04T10:21:00.000+01:00

Representatives for each service and local council members at the Catterick Garrison leisure centre
[Picture: Corporal Gary Kendall RLC, Crown Copyright/MOD 2010]

An Armed Forces Community Covenant, a voluntary statement of mutual support between a civilian community and its local Armed Forces community, was signed at Catterick Garrison on Friday.

The Community Covenant initiative was one of the key measures in the Armed Forces Covenant published in May 2011, which outlined the moral obligation between the Nation, the Government and the Armed Forces, and aims to improve support to the Armed Forces Community (which includes serving personnel, their families and veterans).

Community Covenants have already been launched in Oxfordshire, the Vale of Glamorgan and Hampshire, and one is due to be launched in Portsmouth soon.

The aims of the Community Covenant include:

to encourage local communities to support the Armed Forces Community in their areas, and vice versa;
to promote understanding and awareness amongst the public of issues affecting the Armed Forces Community;
to recognise and remember the sacrifices made by the Armed Forces Community; and
to encourage activities which help to integrate the Armed Forces Community into local life.

New rehabilitation centre prepares to open

2011-07-01T09:50:00.001+01:00

From left: Rifleman Linden Woodford, aged 21 from 3rd Battalion The Rifles, Major Peter Norton, and Private Josh Campbell, aged 21 from 23 Pioneer Regiment, outside Tedworth House
[Picture: Sergeant Ian Forsyth RLC, Crown Copyright/MOD 2011]

Tedworth House, the newest of the Army Personnel Recovery and Assessment Centre is getting ready to open its doors.The centre will provide comprehensive support to wounded, injured and sick personnel and their families for life. Key facilities including temporary residential accommodation, classrooms, catering facilities and a gymnasium are now up and running. This means that recovering personnel can now move in this month. The renovations work at Tedworth House is due to be completed in Spring next year and when open, the centre will be able to provide support and residential accommodation for up to 50 wounded, injured and sick personnel from all three Services in the south of England.

Tedworth House is one centre in a network of five Personnel Recovery Centres that form part of the Army Recovery Capability, a joint multi-million pound venture between the MOD, Help for Heroes and the Royal British Legion. Construction work is currently underway on a centre based in Colchester.

New Medal for the Queen's Diamond Jubilee

2011-06-28T13:30:00.000+01:00

The one-off medal is made of nickel silver and designed by Timothy Noad, a professional calligrapher and illuminator

Members of the Armed Forces will be presented with a medal to mark Her Majesty The Queen's Diamond Jubilee in February 2012.

The commemorative medal designed to mark the Queen's 60 years on the throne will be awarded to members of the emergency services, Prison Service and the following Armed Forces personnel:

members of the Armed Forces (Regular and Reserves) who have completed five full calendar years of service on 6 February 2012;
living holders of the Victoria Cross and George Cross; and
members of the Royal Household.

Full details of the qualifying criteria for the medal will be published later this summer.

Build up to Armed Forces Day continues . . .

2011-06-22T10:10:00.001+01:00

Speaker of the House of Commons, John Bercow, pictured with veterans of the Armed Forces who now work within the Palace of Westminster [Picture: Sergeant Andy Malthouse, Crown Copyright/MOD 2011]

More events are being celebrated in the lead up to Armed Forces Day this weekend.

An exhibition of photographs provided by veterans working in the House of Commons - 'Standing Next to You' - was opened yesterday by John Bercow, Speaker of the House of Commons.

The exhibition features past and present photographs of veterans alongside their remarkable stories. It was the idea of Madeleine Moon MP who wanted to highlight the fact that people who have served are all around us, and show support for Armed Forces Day.

Over twenty veterans volunteered for the exhibition from all departments and sides of the House and representing all three Services. They include Members of Parliament, Police Constables, doorkeepers and security officers. These individuals have retained the ethos they gained during their time in the Armed Forces, which remains relevant to the jobs they do today.

Many of the volunteers who contributed their stories and photographs for the exhibition attended the exhibition launch and Mr Bercow presented eight of them with Veterans Badges.

To promote recognition of veterans by the wider British public, the unique and unifying symbol of the HM Armed Forces Veterans Badge is available to all those who have served in HM Armed Forces.

The HM Armed Forces Veterans’ Lapel Badge was launched in May 2004 by the then Minister for Veterans, to raise the profile of veterans by assisting the wider public to recognise them. Our videocast provides more information on the badge.

Information on how to apply for a Veterans Badge can be found here.

New Armed Forces Community Covenant Scheme Launched

2011-06-21T17:06:00.002+01:00

The launch of a Community Covenant scheme is one of the key measures of the Armed Forces Covenant

The first Armed Forces Community Covenant scheme was launched yesterday in Oxfordshire. The covenant is a voluntary statement of mutual support between a civilian community and its local Armed Forces Community. £30million of Government funding has been allocated over the next four years to support the scheme.

The aims of the Community Covenant include:

to encourage local communities to support the Armed Forces Community in their areas, and vice versa;
to promote understanding and awareness amongst the public of issues affecting the Armed Forces Community;
to recognise and remember the sacrifices made by the Armed Forces Community; and
to encourage activities which help to integrate the Armed Forces Community into local life.

The launch in Oxfordshire will be followed by launches in the Vale of Glamorgan, Hampshire and North Yorkshire in the next couple of weeks. A scheme will also be launched in Portsmouth at a later date.

Picture: Harland Quarrington, Crown Copyright/MOD 2010

Fly the flag

2011-06-21T08:58:00.000+01:00

An Armed Forces Day Flag flies over buildings in London
[Picture: Harland Quarrington, Crown Copyright/MOD 2011]

Yesterday saw the start of the celebrations for Armed Forces Day, with many buildings across the UK flying the Armed Forces Day Flag.

Flying the flag has become part of the celebrations in the lead up to the main day.

The flags were hoisted to show support for members of the Armed Forces, veterans, cadets and their families.

Armed Forces Day is a chance for the British public to show their support for the men and women of the Armed Forces Community - from currently serving troops to Service families, and from veterans to cadets.

As well as raising the Armed Forces Day Flag, communities across the country are hosting hundreds of events to celebrate the Armed Forces, with the national, three-day celebration taking place in Edinburgh from 24-26 June 2011.

Countdown to Armed Forces Day continues

2011-06-17T13:42:00.000+01:00

It's just over a week to go until Armed Forces Day 2011, so how are you planning to spend the day?

One of Britain's most successful Paralympians of all time, Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson, is encouraging people to go and support troops during Armed Forces Day.

It’s an opportunity to do two things. Firstly, to raise public awareness of the contribution made to our country by those who serve and have served in Her Majesty’s Armed Forces, Secondly, it gives the nation an opportunity to Show Your Support for the men and women who make up the Armed Forces community: from currently serving troops to Service families and from veterans to cadets.

Armed Forces Day will be on Saturday, 25 June 2011.

With the National Event being held in Edinburgh and other events being organised across the UK, make sure you know what's being planned and how to get involved by visiting the official website.

Business as usual for SPVA

2011-06-17T13:04:00.001+01:00

From 16 June, SPVA has ceased to be an executive Agency of the Minstry of Defence in a move, requested by the Agency, and agreed by Minister (DPWV).

There's no change to our name or the services we deliver. The change in status will support the cross-government of public spending and reduced costs incurred by having Agency status.

Our Deputy Chief Executive, Cdre Ross Albon explained: “This has not been an easy decision. We looked long and hard but decided that in the current financial climate, we had to prioritise funds on maintaining and improving the services we deliver to our customers, rather than on ourselves. The important thing is that we will still be delivering our essential and high quality services to our customers. It is a case of ‘Business as Usual’ for SPVA."

"The important thing is that we will still be delivering our essential and high quality services to our customers."

Although no longer an Executive Agency of the Ministry of Defence, SPVA will keep its identity and logo which helps maintain its association with ex-Service charities and organisations. This will avoid the unnecessary expenditure associated with re-branding.

SPVA will remain a distinct business unit and continue to be known as the Service Personnel and Veterans Agency from a customer perspective and report, as before, to DCDS(Pers & Trg) in the MOD.

Cdre Albon said it was important to remember that:

• SPVA does really important work in support of serving Personnel and Veterans, maintains good business results and has a reputation for delivering against targets.

• All of its key functions – JPA system, Forces HR, Pensions, AFCS, JCCC, Medals Office and Veterans Welfare will remain within SPVA

• SPVA retains full responsibility for delivering the ‘Boyce’ Armed Forces Compensation Scheme changes.

• SPVA has achieved huge success in meeting its key targets and improving customer service. This puts its in a much better place to move forward.

• SPVA delivers many vital services for the Armed Forces and Veterans Communities – these still need to be delivered in the future

• The work we all do is valued – our customers say so in surveys and we have won several awards from respected institutions.

• SPVA has a culture of providing an ‘excellent customer service’ – that won’t change.

Armed Forces Day 2011 - plans for the big day

2011-06-15T10:23:00.000+01:00

In our latest podcast release, our presenters asks the planners how they are planning to celebrate this year's Armed Forces Day.

We are just a matter of weeks away from the third national Armed Forces Day. This year, the National event is being hosted by Edinburgh.

Our podcast provides an update on the events planned across the UK to celebrate the day and we have interviewed Air Vice-Marshal David Murray, the MOD’s lead on the events and Edinburgh Council Leader Jenny Dawe on what the city is preparing for the national event.

The press release for the podcast can be found here.

SPVA will be supporting Armed Forces Day by providing display stands, posters and information leaflets at many events around the country. Veterans Welfare Service advisors will be on hand at the national event in Edinburgh as well as nine other events throughout the UK to offer one-to-one help and support.

To find out where we’ll be, take a look at our on-line events calendar.
The podcast and other SPVA social media products are available to access on the SPVA Social Media Hub.

Who's reading your status?

2011-06-14T08:46:00.000+01:00

The second video for the MOD Security Awareness Campaign is now online:

The mother of an airman in the RAF is using Facebook, but is it may not just be friends and family reading her status update . . .

Another Veterans WORLD issue hits the stands

2011-06-13T14:21:00.000+01:00

The June issue ready to view

The June issue of Veterans WORLD is now online.

With articles on the Military Covenant, the changes to the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme and further information on the Bereaved Children's Scholarship Scheme, you can find information on issues affecting the Armed Forces Community.

There's also details on the new mental health helpline that's recently been launched and what's being planned for Armed Forces Day 2011.

We've also got some great features on Sea Sanctuary, a unique charity based in Falmouth, Cornwall, which combines Sail training with other therapies to support veterans. We've also got an update on the Be The Boss scheme which is celebrating its first anniversary this month (perfect timing for this issue). We've also news of a new Home and Money programme, employment support providing by two charities and a new centre in Scotland providing services to Scottish veterans with a visual impairment.

Hopefully, there's something for everyone is this jam-packed issue, so why don't you take a look today.

You might also notice that we now have two ways to view Veterans WORLD online; you can either view the magazine as a standard PDF or you can use our new option to view Veterans World via ISSUU, a leading digital publishing platform that’s free to access. This new option will provide you with a more interactive, digital version of Veterans WORLD, which we hope will give you a more enjoyable and accessible way to read the magazine

We've also launched our latest podcast; in a role reversal the magazine designer Kris Blacow interviews Laurie Manton, our Editor-in-Chief about the June issue.

Be Aware - bank card scam

2011-06-09T16:13:00.000+01:00

The scam is targeting the elderly*

We've been asked to help raise awareness and warn of a scam aimed at gaining access to people’s bank account savings and which appears to be targeted at the elderly, including Armed Forces veterans.

The scam involves the victims receiving a telephone call from someone stating they are from their bank. The person will say that they need to get a new bank card and that it will be delivered by courier. A person posing as a courier then attends the address and takes the victims bank card in exchange for a ‘new’ one. The new bank card is a fake and the offenders will then go on to use the bank card from the victim to make numerous fraudulent transactions. It is thought that they obtain the pin number through the telephone conversation.

At least two of the four known victims of this scam have been Armed Forces veterans.

SPVA’s Head of Veterans Services, Jon Parkin, said:

“Whilst there is nothing to suggest that the Veterans Community is specifically being targeted, it is important for veterans to be aware of this scam and to remain vigilant. If people are approached in this way, they should refuse to become involved and should report the matter to their local police station.

The warning was issued after the Police contacted the Agency and requested help in making veterans groups aware.

*Illustrative image of a pensioner on the telephone with a bank card. © Crown Copyright/MOD 2011.

'Our War' - a personal experience

2011-06-06T15:25:00.004+01:00

Bjorn Rose, former Army Lieutenant, has written about army life in Afghanistan for the BBC TV blog [Copyright Simon Panter/BBC]

Tomorrow night, the first episode of Our War airs on BBC Three, the three-part series marking a decade of the War in Afghanistan.

The first episode - Ambushed - focuses on 1 Battalion Royal Anglian's tour of Helmand Province in 2007. The whole tour was filmed on a helmet camera by the platoon's sergeant (the MOD gave the BBC unprecedented access to thousands of hours of footage shot on helmet cameras and personal video cameras). During the tour, the platoon suffered a casualty with the loss of 19 year old Private Chris Gray.

Bjorn Rose, a former Army Lieutenant, was the officer commanding 3 (Corunna) Platoon (one of the nine platoons in the Battalion) and is featured in the Ambushed episode. He talks about his involvement in the series and impact of Private Gray's death in a moving blog post, which can be read on the BBC TV blog post here.

Wear your uniform to work

2011-06-03T14:54:00.000+01:00

Royal Naval Reservist Able Seaman Ritchie Wilkinson speaks with presenters Phillip Schofield and Jenni Falconer on ITV1's This Morning [Picture: Copyright Ken McKay 2011]

Now a regular event as part of the build up to Armed Forces Day, Uniform to Work Day will be held on June 22.

The day is a great opportunity to highlight the the important role that Reserves play in serving their country.

Uniform to Work Day will mean many reservists leaving their suit and tie at home and donning their Forces uniform to wear to work instead. Last year, thousands of reservists took part in the initiative to show their pride in giving their time for their country.

Three reservists are already preparing for Uniform to Work Day, see more on their story online.

Senior Aircraftman Dave Haygarth of the Royal Auxiliary Air Force wears his RAF uniform during his day job as the Energy Manager for the London Borough of Hillingdon. [Picture: Sergeant Andy Malthouse RAF, Crown Copyright/MOD 2011]

Free carvery meal for Armed Forces: past and present

2011-06-03T11:37:00.000+01:00

Heroes getting ready to 'tuck in'

Crown Carveries is supporting the Armed Forces Day 2011 by offering a free carvery meal to all Armed Forces, past and present, between Monday 20th and Saturday 25th June.

With 117 restaurants nationwide, Crown Carveries plans to salute the thousands of Service people enlisted to Her Majesty’s Armed Forces, by offering them a free carvery meal in the week leading up to, and on Armed Forces Day itself (Saturday 25th June). The offer is also open to all forces veterans.

Enjoying the free carvery couldn’t be easier. All past and present Service people simply need to visit their website and download the ‘free carvery meal’ voucher and present this along with their current ID card (or veteran lapel badge) to staff at their local Crown Carvery restaurant.

The Veterans Lapel Badge is required for proof of Service if you are a veteran

'Our War' - marking a decade in Afghanistan

2011-06-03T09:31:00.001+01:00

New BBC Three series will look at a decade in Afghanistan

Marking a decade of the War in Afghanistan, BBC Three is airing a new three-part series Our War next week.

The MOD gave the BBC unprecedented access to thousands of hours of footage shot on helmet cameras and personal video cameras. The series will give a unique insight into the War, told through films shot by the soldiers themselves.

With the raw honesty of first person stories of life on the front line, the series offers a gripping and poignant insight into every aspect of the young soldiers' experiences - the average age of the soldiers is 21 - from fear to boredom, grief to bravery, the camaraderie of the platoon and the return home.

The first episode - Ambushed - will air on June 7 at 9pm. This episode focuses on 1 Battalion Royal Anglian's tour of Helmand Province in 2007.

The second episode - The Invisible Enemy - will air on June 14 at 9pm. This episode follows the plight of the first troops sent to Helmand Province in 2006 and shows how, three years later, Improvised Explosive Devices had changed the War.

The final episode - Caught in the Crossfire - will air on June 21 at 9pm. This episode looks at the transition from bloody conflict to the fight for 'hearts and minds' as civilians and the military are caught in the crossfire.

Sharing information online

2011-06-02T10:37:00.000+01:00

The Teaser for the second video to be released as part of the new MOD online security awareness campaign.

The Mother of an Airman in the RAF is using Facebook but it may not be friends and family reading her status updates.

The new online guidance provides tips on how to keep secure when online, the information is useful for all members of the Armed Forces Community.

Is it just your mate who know where you've checked in?

2011-06-02T10:28:00.002+01:00

The first online video released as part of the new MOD online security awareness campaign.

Two Navy personnel have a night out, but is it just their mates, who know where they've checked it?

The majority of social media products have geo-location functions so anyone can see exactly where you are. The new online guidance provides tips on how to keep secure when online.

Think Before You...

2011-06-02T10:16:00.000+01:00

The MOD has just launched a new personal online security awareness campaign.

The campaign aims to encourage Service Personnel and MOD civilians to carefully consider possible repercussions before posting information on social networking sites.

There is also new MOD guidance - Think Before You . . . - for personnel using social media sites like Twitter, Facebook and YouTube, which advises them not to put themselves or others at increased risk by releasing too much information about themselves or other operational details.

Risks to Service personnel - and potentially their families - include posting details and locations of troop movements, operational events, locations and travel details of ships or aircraft, as well as people's home addresses. If inadvertently released, information such as this could give the UK's enemies the upper hand.

The guidance and products to download (web banners, posters, etc) would be useful for anyone in the Armed Forces Community.

Online videos have been released as part of the campaign and we'll be posting links to them shortly.

SPVA's got specs appeal

2011-05-31T15:18:00.000+01:00

Staff from SPVA in the South West have been recycling their old spectacles to support an overseas charity.

Working with colleagues from other government departments - HM Revenue & Customs and DWP, on the HMRC appeal to recycle spectacles through Vision Aid Overseas. The appeal has achieved fantastic results with the target to recycle 10,000 pairs of glasses by end of June 2011 already surpassed and a new target of meeting the 15,000 mark set.

According to the Vision Aid charity, 670 million people - 10 per cent of the world's population - are disadvantaged by poor vision and a lack of glasses. The charity helps some of the poorest people gain better sight by giving them eye exams and matching them with a pair of donated glasses.

Just think, that old pair of glasses you never use, could be help someone overseas live a better life.

295 miles in four days

2011-05-26T13:44:00.000+01:00

Three of our staff: Matt, Dan and Ed (or three middle-aged men in Lycra, as they call themselves) are attempting to cycle 295 miles in four days for charity.

Their cycling quest will raise money towards a minibus that BLESMA will use to transport limbless ex-Servicemen and women from the North West to Headley Court for rehabilitation.

Their four day epic journey will start on Monday 27 June at the BLESMA home in Blackpool, ending 295 miles later at the BLESMA home in Crieff, Scotland on 30 June.

If you'd like to sponsor the ride, then visit their justgiving page.

BLESMA (British Limbless Ex Service Men's Association) is the national charity for limbless serving and ex-Service men and women, their dependants and widows.

Countdown to Armed Forces Day begins

2011-05-26T08:54:00.000+01:00

Two Royal Navy divers display the Armed Forces Day Flag before commencing a diving job with HMS Bulwark
[Picture: Leading Airman (Photographer) Joel Rouse, Crown Copyright/MOD 2011]

We're just a one month away from this year's Armed Forces Day.

Armed Forces Day 2011 will be held on Saturday 25 June, with events taking place up and down the country over the two-week period from 18 June to 3 July.

Edinburgh are hosting the national event with a full weekend of Armed Forces Day-related activities, starting on Friday 24 through to Sunday 26 June.

Visit the official site to find out about events in your local area or how to get involved. We're also working on an Armed Forces Day podcast with interviews with key people working on the events, so keep an eye (or an ear) out for our next release in a couple of weeks.

Help for Armed Forces to step on the property ladder

2011-05-23T09:10:00.002+01:00


Service accommodation at Woolwich, South East London (stock image) [Picture: Crown Copyright/MOD 2010]

Members of the Armed Forces will from now on be given top priority for housing help.

The move follows a Military Covenant Housing Summit chaired by Housing Minister Grant Shapps and means that serving members of the Armed Forces, as well as those recently retired, will be able to benefit from the FirstBuy Scheme, providing £400 million to help 10,000 families across the country get on the property ladder over the next two years.

The Minister has also signalled that the Government will ensure that all low-cost home ownership schemes will now routinely place members of the Armed Forces at the top of their priority lists, and that government housing agents will be instructed to go out and actively recruit military personnel for such schemes.

Sir Bill Rollo visits the Agency

2011-05-20T14:05:00.000+01:00

Sir Bill meeting staff from the Veterans Helpline

DCDS Pers Lt Gen Sir Bill Rollo visited our offices based in Blackpool today. Sir Bill is the Deputy Chief of Defence Staff responsible for MOD personnel.

During his time here, Sir Bill visited the Veterans Helpline, met with staff working on the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme and discussed veterans welfare with the Officer in Charge of the Veterans Welfare Service

Sir Bill listening into a call

During his visit to the Helpline, Sir Bill had the opportunity to talk to staff from the Helpline and Customers Services Teams about their work, learn about the types of enquiries received and how staff build up their skills to become helpline operators. While on the tour, Sir Bill was able to listen in on a call to the helpline.

Edinburgh prepares for UK's biggest-ever Armed Forces Day

2011-05-19T10:21:00.001+01:00

Preparations are in full swing to host a three-day celebration of the UK's Armed Forces in Edinburgh this summer which takes on the mantle of the national centrepiece for 2011's Armed Forces Day celebrations.

Edinburgh is gearing up to lay on the biggest-ever Armed Forces Day national event from 24 to 26 June 2011, with a parade, musical entertainment, exhibitions, aerial displays and a Royal Navy ship open to visitors.

To find out how Edinburgh is celebrating Armed Forces Day, visit their website.

We're current developing a podcast for release early June where we interview a couple of people involved in organising Armed Forces Day, so watch this space.

Events are being held across the UK to celebrate the day, if you want to find out what's being planned in your local area then it's worth checking out the official website.

From Tudor times to present day

2011-05-19T08:53:00.000+01:00

Our latest video was launched today and is available to view now, it's the fifth video we've launched and our previous films can be viewed on our YouTube channel.

Our new release looks at the history of the War Pension Scheme, the first formal scheme to compensate battle casualties and their families was conceived during the reign of Elizabeth I over 400 years ago. Today the scheme is run in conjunction with the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme.

We've also recently released podcasts explaining the recent changes to the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme that you might find interesting, they can be downloaded via our Social Media Hub.

The Armed Forces Covenant

2011-05-17T13:42:00.001+01:00

The tri-Service Armed Forces Covenant was published for the first time along with the announcement that with an amendment to the Armed Forces Bill, its principles will be enshrined in law.

The covenant is a statement of the moral obligation which exists between the nation, the Government and the Armed Forces. Its core principles are that members of the Armed Forces Community do not suffer disadvantages as a result of their service and that they receive special treatment where appropriate.

These principles, put into law through an amended Armed Forces Bill, will set the tone for future government policy dedicated to improving support for the Armed Forces Community.

The Government has also published ‘The Armed Forces Covenant: Today and Tomorrow’ where you can find details of the current actions being taken to deliver the Covenant and future commitments being implemented over the coming months and years

The covenant can be downloaded here.

Join in 10th anniversary celebrations at the Arboretum

2011-05-16T15:44:00.000+01:00

Armed Forces Memorial at Dawn (courtesy Nick Mott)

As part of the National Memorial Arboretum’s (NMA) 10th anniversary celebrations, members of the public are being invited to attend a very special Summer open evening event.

Taking place from 6pm on this Wednesday, you will have the chance to explore this remarkable site, which is set in over 150 acres of wooded parkland and has over 200 memorials, at a time when visits are not normally allowed.

Laying wreath on Armed Forces Memorial (courtesy Driftwood Images)

The evening will feature a talk by Chief Executive Charlie Bagot Jewitt. He will reflect on what the Arboretum, which is part of The Royal British Legion family of charities, has achieved over the last ten years. He will also explore the vision for the Arboretum and explain the current status of the £8million NMA Appeal and landscape plans.

Armed Forces Memorial at the NMA (courtesy Red Devil Photography)

For more information, contact the NMA. Gates are open from 6pm and the presentation will start at 7.30pm. Admission is free, although donations are appreciated. Guided tours are available, however a charge applies and advance booking is recommended. Light refreshments will be available from the Arbour Restaurant until 9pm and gates close at 10pm.

Changes to AFCS

2011-05-09T13:52:00.000+01:00

Today, the revised Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS) was launched, incorporating all of the recommendations made by Admiral the Lord Boyce, former Chief of Defence Staff, in his Review of the Scheme in 2010.

This means Service personnel who become injured or ill as a result of their service will now be able to benefit from an even more comprehensive compensation package.

And from today, all Service personnel and ex-Service personnel who submit a claim for AFCS compensation will have their claims assessed under the new rules.

This means that they may benefit from several changes to the scheme, notably:

An increase, which averages in excess of 25 per cent, to all lump sum payments, except the top award which was recently doubled to £570,000;
An increase to the maximum award payable for mental illness from £48,875 to £140,000, in order to accurately reflect the impact of the most serious mental health conditions; and
An increase to all Guaranteed Income Payments (GIPs) which are paid to those who are seriously injured. A GIP is a monthly tax-free, inflation proof income stream which is payable from discharge, for life. The increase reflects the lasting effect of more serious injuries on future promotion prospects and on the ability to work to age 65.

Anyone who have previously received an award from the scheme (since its started in April 2005) will have their awards uplifted in line with the new increases. Over the next year, our Agency will be reviewing some 10,000 awards and informing previous recipients of the increase to their awards. Those affected do not need to take any action, we will be contacting you.

The contact card designed to fit in a wallet

There have been significant changes made to the scheme, with some 69 changes made, from a change to how we calculate claims where an individual has suffered multiple injuries in a single incident - compensation is now paid for each of the injuries to improved awareness and understanding of the scheme in the Armed Forces community.

The AFCS leaflet ready to download

So, to get more information, you can visit the AFCS webpages which has been updated with new pages of information and materials targeted towards Service personnel; families and dependants; and the wider military support network.

You'll be able to download an AFCS leaflet, contact card, poster, presentation or podcast. We’ve produced a series of three podcasts providing information on the changes which include an interview with the Army’s Pay Colonel, Colonel Fiona Gardner. You can download the podcasts direct from the the SPVA social media hub or via iTunes.

This poster is available to download and print

If you do want to speak to someone direct, you can phone our free helpline - 0800 169 2277 - for further advice and guidance. The chain of command or voluntary organisations are also able to provide support.

I f you have a specific query or need advice relating to claims then call our helpline on 0800 169 2277 or visit the MOD and SPVA webpages.

New directory is quite ‘handy’

2011-05-09T10:46:00.000+01:00

The go-to guide on Service charities

COBSEO, The Confederation of Service Charities has just published its 2011 directory or ‘handbook’ of Members.

COBSEO currently comprises some 180 member organisations ranging from the larger charities such as The Royal British Legion, SSAFA FH, Seafarers UK, ABF-The Soldiers Charity and the RAF Benevolent Fund, through the medium sized charities including St Dunstan’s’, BLESMA, Combat Stress, Help for Heroes, Forces Pension Society, Officers’ Association, Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity and Royal Air Force Association to smaller charities and Regimental Associations.

The book contains details of around 180 organisations

It’s a handy size that can easily fit in your briefcase or bag, so you can always have it to hand when you need details of organisations that support the Armed Forces Community.

The handbook been designed to be an easy and complete reference identifying COBSEO’s member organisations, contact details and scope of operation. It tells you what each member organisation does and the specific needs they cater for, in a clear page-per-organisation way. It is designed as a go-to guide and reference book.

The online version of the handbook can be found here and there is a web-based search engine which enables users to easily search and access the handbook, using keywords or phrases. So if you were looking for help with housing, the search engine can provide those member service charities which could provide that specific help, it’s that simple to use.

If you want further information, or a copy of the handbook (£5 each to cover production costs, including postage and packaging) then call Sophie Lucas on 0845 504 6633 or email officemanager@cobseo.org.uk

Further updates to the Roll of Honour

2011-04-21T09:49:00.000+01:00

photo: Martin Turner

Further updates have been added the Armed Forces Memorial (AFM) Roll of Honour (RoH), which is normally updated monthly.

The RoH details deaths in Service since 1 January 1948 which meet the AFM Trustees Inclusion criteria. Its search facility potentially allows you to search for a person who died while they were serving.

The RoH has just been updated and potentially records the details of Service personnel up to and including 31 March 2009. Partial RoH records are also potentially available for those who died from 1 April 2009 to 31 March 2010.

More information on the Memorial and the Roll of Honour, including the inclusion criteria, can be found on an earlier post.

Bereaved Service children given head start

2011-04-15T14:31:00.000+01:00

We've just added some information on our website about the new scheme to support bereaved Service children planning to undertake further education.

The scheme delivers the Coalition Government’s undertaking to provide university and further education scholarships for the children of Service personnel who have been killed on active duty since 1990.

Armed Forces Bereavement Scholarship Scheme was launched in April and is designed to enable these young people to get a first degree. In order to get to university they must first follow the academic stream at school and a Further Education scholarship will help these children to stay in school to obtain a university place.

The scholarship is not a free university place but a contribution towards the tuition fees and living costs.

Further information on eligibility and how to apply can be found here. It's important to read this information fully, as it contains information about potential funding for the 2010 - 2011 academic year we're currently in.

Events springing forward

2011-04-15T08:48:00.000+01:00

It's officially Springtime and the sun is finally due to arrive back this weekend.

The weather is getting warmer, the days are lasting longer and the nights are lighter. So it's the ideal time to start planning events; whether its an occasion to mark Armed Forces Day 2011 or an Advice Day for veterans.

Take advantage of the free opportunity to raise awareness of your event via our website. If you are planning an event, that may be of interest to the Armed Forces Community, then consider placing details on our online Calendar of Events. All you need to do is complete an online form with all the relevant details, we do the rest!

If you looking for something to do then take a look at the calendar today, there may be an event near you that's worth checking out!

Regional Support for Armed Forces Community

2011-04-13T08:32:00.000+01:00

Our newest Podcast release can provide you with the latest details on new network launched that's supporting the Armed Forces Community,

Continuing with our series of podcasts keeping Service personnel and veterans up-to-date with items of interest or news from within the Agency and the Armed Forces Community.

Our latest podcast provides an update on the launch of the Veterans Advisory and Pensions Committees based across the UK.

There are thirteen new Veterans Advisory and Pensions Committees (VAPCs), created to take part in a one-year pilot; providing support to the Armed Forces and veterans on a regional basis.

The SPVA website houses VAPC webpages

Tony Phillips, Chairman of the Yorkshire and Humber Committee takes part in the podcast interview and explains how the Committees are supporting the Armed Forces Community, he said:

“If you are keen to help those in need, advise and influence policy as well as advocate for our service men and women, or you - or someone close to you - is enduring difficulties as a direct consequence of service and needs local assistance, then I strongly commend this Podcast to you.”

The podcast and other SPVA social media products are available to access on SPVA Social Media Hub , and on various social media sites such as iTunes and YouTube.

Roll of Honour updated

2011-03-29T16:14:00.000+01:00

Our website holds information about the Armed Forces Memorial (AFM) and also houses the AFM Roll of Honour (RoH) search facility. Inclusion on the Armed Forces Memorial and the Roll of Honour is determined by the AFM Trustees Inclusion criteria.

The RoH details deaths in Service since 1/1/48 which meet the AFM Trustees Inclusion criteria. Its search facility potentially allows you to search for a person who died whilst they were Serving,

The AFM RoH is normally updated on a monthly basis and it potentially provides details about Service personnel who died over 2 years ago. Partial RoH records are normally reviewed two years after the date of death when more information may be available.

The RoH is straightforward to use, requiring either the surname, forenames or initials, and/or the Service No. Once you have found the Service person you are looking for there is an option to print an AFM Certificate

The RoH has just been updated and potentially records the details of Service personnel up to and including 28/02/09. Partial RoH records are potentially available for those who died from 01/03/09/ to 28/02/10.

Latest issue of Veterans WORLD now online

2011-03-23T13:55:00.000Z

The latest issue of our external magazine Veterans WORLD is now available online.

Our April edition is full of informative articles which will be of particular interest to those advising veterans and their families.

In this issue

Articles range from initiatives for bereaved Service children to horticultural therapy to go-karting! There are also a few articles focusing on resettlement schemes for Service personnel. We have a page providing some useful advice on dealing with debt and a preview of Armed Forces Day 2011. That’s just a quick round-up, to hear more about this issue check out our new podcast; in which Laurie Manton, Editor-in-Chief of Veterans WORLD tells Joanne Lowe about the latest edition.

So, now we have podcasts, blogs and tweets there really is no excuse to be missing out!

If you work in an advisory capacity with ex-Service personnel and their families and you still don’t receive Veterans WORLD, request your copy here.

We are always on the look-out for new initiatives to make interesting articles, so if you think you have something that would fit the bill please submit an article to us for consideration at the Veterans WORLD email.

The AFCS Review – one year on

2011-03-09T12:53:00.002Z

It’s been a busy year since the Review of the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme was published last February. The Review was carried out by former Chief of the Defence Staff, Admiral the Lord Boyce, in 2010 and it made a number of recommendations.

The majority of changes required legislative amendments to the Scheme and all of these have now been laid before Parliament.

With this legislation now in place, it will mean that the Government has fulfilled its promise to implement all of Lord Boyce’s recommendations within a year.

Some changes recommended by the Review were made more quickly and took effect from August 2010.

Changes to the Scheme have included an average increase of 25% to all lump sum payments, (except the highest payment which was already doubled to £570,000 in 2008) and a change to the way payments are calculated for multiple injuries, which will ensure that individuals will receive some compensation for each of their injuries that occur from a single incident. The changes will still guarantee that the most seriously injured receive the most compensation.

Another recommendation was for the creation of an Independent Medical Expert Group (IMEG) to look at how specific illnesses and injuries, including mental health, are compensated. The group has just published their first report. All of the recommendations made by the IMEG have now been incorporated to the Scheme for example, the maximum amount payable for mental illness has now almost tripled, to £140,000.

All of the changes to the Scheme will be operational from 9th May 2011.

The Government’s Response to the Lord Boyce Review has now been published. You can read it here.

Planning for Armed Forces Day?

2011-03-09T12:42:00.000Z

Armed Forces Day parade at the 2010 National Armed Forces Day event in Cardiff

If you want to know more about what's being planned for Armed Forces Day 2011, then visit the official website. Details for some of the events planned and due to take place on Saturday 25 June 2011 are now available on the site.

The aim of Armed Forces Day, which is now in its third year, is to boost public support and appreciation of all those who serve and have served in Her Majesty's Armed Forces.

It provides an opportunity for the UK public to recognise the contribution that the Armed Forces (serving personnel, veterans and cadets) make and have made to the nation, and for the Armed Forces and veterans to know that they are valued and enjoy the respect and support of both the Government and the nation.

The city of Edinburgh has been chosen to host the 2011 national event and, as with previous years, this will be complemented by a variety of community-led events in towns and cities across the UK.

To find out about details of events planned in Edinburgh and elsewhere, as well as how you can show your support, then visit the Armed Forces Day website.

Details of some activities planned to mark Armed Forces Day can now be found on a Defence online article released today.

Polish Veterans Minister visits War Heroes

2011-03-07T11:35:00.000Z

SPVA staff and a Polish veteran received medals that give thanks to the people taking care of Polish veterans in the UK

Last Thursday, the Polish Government’s Minister for Veterans Affairs, Dr Jan Ciechanowski, took time out from a five day visit to the UK to present ‘Pro Memoria’ Medals at SPVA's Ilford Park Polish Home near Newton Abbot, Devon. The home, known locally as ‘Little Poland’ cares for former members of the Polish forces who served under British command during Second World War.

The Minister was accompanied by Polish Consul-General to the UK, Mr Zaborowski.

Polish Consul-General Mr Zaborowski, Minister for Veterans Affairs - Dr Jan Ciechanowski, Mr Mieczyslaw Juny MBE

Those presented with medals and certificates were IPPH manager Mrs Clare Thomas, Care Manager Jos Rice, Nurse Manager Linda McVeigh and care Assistant Mrs Helen Johns.

Helen grew up at Ilford Park as a child and has now given over 30 years of her working life to looking after the residents, she said:

“It has been an honour to meet the Minister and accept this beautiful Medal from him. My Mother and father were residents here at Ilford Park when it was known as Stover Polish camp. Working at IPPH has enabled me to give something back to the veterans and receiving this Medal means a great deal to me.”

A Medal and certificate were also presented to World War II fighter pilot and former Prisoner of War Mr Mieczyslaw Juny MBE (98), who is now Chairman of the IPPH Residents Committee.

After the presentation, Dr Ciechanowski and Mr Zaborowski spent the rest of the visit talking to other members of staff and residents at the home.

Read the full press release here.

Pro Memoria Medal and Certificate

The silver ‘Pro Memoria’ Medal was instituted in 2005 by the Polish Government’s ‘Office for Combatants and Oppressed Individuals’. It is conferred in a single class to honour individuals who have contributed to commemorating the people who fought for the independence of Poland during and after the Second World War.

The Veterans Survey closes

2011-03-03T14:54:00.002Z

The Veterans Customer Satisfaction Survey for 2010/2011 closed on Monday.

Just over 3,000 people took part in the survey with the opportunity to have their say on our Agency and the services we deliver.

Thank you to all who have taken part in the survey.

Don't forget, if you want to know more about SPVA and our services for the Armed Forces Community then take a visit to our website.

Polish Minister to visit Devon's 'Little Poland'

2011-03-01T16:56:00.000Z

The gardens at Ilford Park

On Thursday (3rd March), the Polish Government’s Minister for Veterans Affairs, Dr Jan Ciechanowski, will visit our Ilford Park Polish Home (IPPH) near Newton Abbot, Devon to present staff and a resident with the Polish ‘Pro Memoria’ medal.

During Dr Ciechanowski’s time at the Home, part of a wider visit to the UK, he will also meet other residents and thank staff for the work they do to look after elderly Polish war veterans who served with the UK Armed Forces during the Second World War.

Those being presented with the medal include Mr Mieszyslaw Juny, former PoW, WWII fighter pilot and now Chairman of Ilford Park Residents Committee. He will also present a medal to Care Worker Mrs Helen Johns, who spent her childhood and later her working life at Ilford Park.

The silver ‘Pro Memoria’ Medal was instituted in 2005 by the Polish Government’s ‘Office for Combatants and Oppressed Individuals’. It is conferred in a single class to honour individuals who have contributed to commemorating the people who fought for the independence of Poland during and after the Second World War.

To find out more about the Home, check out our video.

Awards season isn' t just for Hollywood

2011-02-25T11:26:00.000Z

SPVA has won a major US Award for the Joint Personnel Administration System

SPVA has won a major award at the prestigious 2011 ‘Human Capital Management in Defence’ (HCMD) awards held in Arlington, Virginia USA. We were the only organisation nominated from outside the USA and went on to win the main award for the implementation of the Joint Personnel Administration (JPA) System for our Armed Forces.

SPVA came top in the ‘Best Implementation of an Enterprise Technology System’ category. This recognises the best program implementation of a human resources IT system aimed at streamlining a specific HR process in order to drive down costs and improve efficiency and productivity.

The award recognises the success of the outsourcing relationship within SPVA between the Ministry of Defence and HP Enterprise Services that started in November 1997, and included the successful introduction of JPA in 2006. JPA has revolutionised Armed Forces’ pay and personnel functions in the UK, bringing together the Royal Navy, Army and RAF onto one system, allowing users to update details themselves and providing one dedicated contact centre for help and support. It has delivered savings to the MOD in excess of £200 million in its first three years of operation.

In addition to SPVA, nominations came from offices and programs from across the US Federal Government, representing the Army, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, the IRS, Dept. of Energy, the National Park Service and the US Postal Service.

This success follows two other impressive awards received last year by SPVA and HP. At the 'Shared Services Outsourcing Network 2010 Industry Awards, in Edinburgh during May, we first won the 'Best Mature Outsourced Services Delivery' award and then went on to beat organisations from across Europe, the Middle-East and Africa to win the highest accolade of the night -the 'Winner of Winners' award.

Veterans Welfare Centres roll out completed

2011-02-17T10:10:00.000Z

The Welfare Service provides one-to-one support

Our latest podcast looks at support we provide for veterans at a local level.

The latest podcast provides an update on the five Veterans Welfare Centres launched by SPVA in 2010.

The Veterans Welfare Service provides one-to-one advice and support to veterans across the UK and Ireland.

Alan Mayers, Officer in Charge of the Welfare Service, is interviewed in the latest podcast and provides an overview of how the centres can and do support veterans in the local community.

Alan said:

“The Veterans Welfare Service is here to provide help to all veterans and their families or dependants. From our service you can expect dedicated one-to-one help and advice. Please take a listen to the podcast and find out more about how our Welfare Service is supporting veterans.”

SPVA is committed to providing awareness of initiatives and organisations supporting the Armed Forces Community. Since early 2010, we have released a number of podcasts; this latest release continues our aim of providing information and updates of initiatives and services available for this important community.

The podcast and all our other SPVA social media products are available to access on our Social Media Hub via the Veterans-UK website, and on various social media sites such as iTunes and YouTube (links can be found via our Social Media Hub).

Maintaining the Roll of Honour

2011-02-01T11:34:00.000Z

The SPVA website holds information on the National Memorial and Roll of Honour

The SPVA website holds information about the Armed Forces Memorial and also houses the Roll of Honour search facility.

Inclusion on the Armed Forces Memorial and the Roll of Honour is determined by the Armed Forces Memorial Trustees Inclusion criteria.

The Roll of Honour search facility potentially allows you to search for a person who died while they were in Service. The Roll of Honour contains details of those who died since 01/01/1948 whose circumstances of death meet the AFM Trustees Inclusion criteria. It's normally updated monthly and currently provides information for those who died more than two years ago.

Partial Roll of Honour records: Forename, Surname and Military Decorations are also potentially available for those who died from 01/01/09 to 31/01/09.

Partial Roll of Honour records are normally reviewed 2 years after the date of death, when more information may become available.

The Roll of Honour is straightforward to use, requiring either the surname and forenames, or initials (if known), or the Service number. When you have found the person you are looking for, there is an option to print an AFM Certificate

Defence Minister visits SPVA

2011-01-17T15:12:00.000Z

Lt Col (Rtd) Peter Lockyear (Left) with Andrew Robathan MP (right) at the SPVA Medal Office at Imjin Barracks

The Minister for Defence Personnel, Welfare and Veterans, Andrew Robathan MP, today paid tribute to staff working in support of the Armed Forces in Afghanistan during a visit to our offices at Imjin Barracks, near Gloucester.

The Minister first visited the Agency’s Medal Office which over the last year has issued some 44,000 medals to Service personnel and veterans. He saw first hand the research necessary to confirm entitlement, as well as the preparation, engraving, cleaning and despatch of medals to their rightful recipients. He was especially interested in the work undertaken to prepare and issue the Elizabeth Cross, which is granted to the next of kin of Armed Forces personnel killed on operations, or as a result of terrorism, in a mark of national recognition for their loss.

Andrew Robathan MP (right) and Lt Col (Rtd) Peter Lockyear watch a medal being engraved

The Minister then moved on to see our Joint Casualty & Compassionate Centre (JCCC) and talked to personnel dealing with some of the 90,000 calls the centre receives each year. The JCCC’s operations room receives information on all UK Armed Forces casualties (both injuries and deaths) from around the world, including operations in Afghanistan, and ensures the families of those involved are quickly informed and offered appropriate support. Where death has occurred JCCC staff also support the families of those involved by providing advice on funeral entitlements, arranging the marking of Service graves and assisting the executor with resolution of the deceased’s estate.

Mr Robathan also saw how the JCCC authorises and arranges immediate travel back to the UK for servicemen and women in the event of a family crisis such as the sudden hospitalisation of an immediate family member.

Later, he visited the JCCC’s Commemorations team. This specialist group arranges the tracing of families, repatriation and appropriate funeral services following the discovery of the remains of UK Service personnel on battlefields and aircraft crash sites around the world, often dating back to World War I and beyond

The full press release can be viewed here.

.

Veterans encouraged to have their say on support services

2011-01-04T13:43:00.001Z

have your say on the services we provide

Amended 13th January 2011
SPVA is appealing to veterans to have their say about the services we deliver. Our Agency’s Veterans Customer Satisfaction Survey was launched online, and via a hard copy postal distribution to 12,000 veterans, on 10 January, with replies requested by 28 February.

SPVA provides vital support services for HM Armed Forces and the veterans community. These include pensions and compensation for injury/disablement or death due to Service, Armed Forces occupational pensions, the national Veterans Welfare Service, a free helpline and the issue of all medals for Service dating back to WWII.

We are looking for feedback from those who have had dealings with SPVA during the past year, on what services people were happy with and what should be improved in the future.

To tell you a bit more about the survey you can listen to our latest podcast to encourage completion of the survey and provide more information. Regular presenters Clare Ellis and Don Goldie interview SPVA’s Head of Veterans Services, Jon Parkin, about why the survey is so important and how veterans fill it in.

The survey is entirely anonymous and no-one will be contacted by phone or sent mailings as a result of completing it.

The survey can be accessed by visiting the SPVA website and the following link.

For a printed copy of the survey, call 02392 702382.

Latest issue of Veterans WORLD now online

2010-12-15T13:09:00.000Z

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!

Pants for Christmas

2010-12-10T09:38:00.002Z

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.

Latest Veterans Today video release

2010-12-08T09:21:00.001Z

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.

Veterans Tree of Honour

2010-12-07T16:10:00.000Z

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.

SPVA now on Flickr

2010-11-26T14:28:00.000Z

We are now on Flickr!

It's in the early days of development so we just have a few images up already in SPVA collection alongside other Defence images. The images plus supporting text will give you a visual idea of the work SPVA undertakes to support the Armed Forces Community: Serving personnel, veterans and their families.

Flickr is an image and video hosting website, web services suite, and online community it is also a popular website for users to share and embed personal photographs and social media

Laughter is the best medicine

2010-11-25T11:04:00.000Z

free copies of the book have been sent to troops serving in Afghanistan

If you're compiling your Christmas gift list, want to raise money for charity or find a fun present for someone you know, then The Laughing Soldier Jokebook might be right up your street.

Project 65 - The Veterans Charity have produced a collection of jokes and messages of support for the British Armed Forces serving around the world.

Jokes have been sent in by people all over the world, including Service Personnel, veterans and their families, the general public and famous figures including Alan Titchmarsh and George Osbourne.

A donation from the sale of each book will go to the charity to help them continue with their work in funding the vital care and support of the Armed Forces Community and establish new initiatives to offer more support to those who need it most.

The book, priced at £6.99 and published by Casemate, goes on sale from 26th November and will be available from Project 65, Casemate, all good bookshops and online retailers.

The book includes a foreword from triple amputee former Royal Marine Mark Ormrod which highlights how important humour is for Service Personnel:

Being able to tell a joke or "crack a funny" when morale is low can help even the worst of situations seem that little bit better...

Here's a taster of what the book has to offer . . .

The book is split into sections to suit all comedic tastes

A small badge of recognition

2010-11-12T14:10:00.001Z

When you're attending Remembrance events or celebrating Armed Forces Day, you may have noticed a small emblem on jacket lapels alongside the medals worn by veterans.

Introduced in 2004, the HM Armed Forces Veterans Lapel Badge promotes recognition of veterans. To date, over 800,000 badges have been issued.

Veterans Lapel Badges ready for presentation

It's issued to all those who served in HM Armed Forces including Volunteer and Regular Reserves.

The full list of eligibility criteria is listed on our website. To apply for a badge, you can download an application form or call our freephone helpline - 0800 169 2277.

If you interested in finding out more about the lapel badge, then check out our video below.

Remember the fallen

2010-11-10T11:39:00.000Z

Two online ‘Books of Remembrance’ have been launched, commemorating all those members of the armed forces who have died serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. Visitors can post memories, pictures and anecdotes about each individual, forming a record of the sacrifices made by Armed Forces personnel and their families that is accessible to all. The tribute books are supported by the three armed services’ charities: the RAF Benevolent Fund, ABF The Soldiers’ Charity, and the Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity.

The creator, Jonathan Haward, has provided brief biographies for many of the fallen, but wants the general public to make their own contributions by visiting the online books. In this way he hopes the online tributes will form a broader public testament to the bravery and sacrifice of Britain’s military.

Jonathan Haward, creator of the online 'Books of Remembrance'

Jonathan has strong personal reasons for wanting to create the online spaces:

“My mother worked in a radar station during the Battle of Britain, directing fighter planes to intercept the enemy. The RAF was an important part of her life and holds a special place in the heart of our family. Both of my elder brothers, Chris and David, became pilots. Sadly David was killed on exercise 11 years ago, shortly after being appointed a Station Commander.

Jonathan's mother, who worked in a radar station during the Battle of Britain

“A few years ago a friend emailed me some pictures of my brother that I had never seen. I forwarded these to my relatives and they brought such joy that it inspired us to set up website where families can leave tributes to departed loved ones, post images and share memories. The Books of Remembrance are a logical extension of this idea, giving everyone the chance to take an interactive, personal approach to Armistice Day. It’s also an opportunity to raise awareness of the three Service charities and their vital work."

Jacqui Thompson, whose husband Gary died in Afghanistan, has shared her memories in the online tribute

Jacqui Thompson lost her husband Gary in 2008. He was killed at the age of 51 whilst serving as a reservist in the RAF Regiment, when his vehicle was hit by a roadside bomb in Afghanistan. Jacqui has added her own pictures and memories to Gary’s page in the Afghanistan Book of Remembrance and encourages others to do the same:

“Since I lost Gary all I have are cherished memories – that’s why Remembrance is so important to me. The online Books of Remembrance are a lovely way of keeping Gary alive - recognising his actions and collecting together my memories, and those of all the people that knew him. It helps to keep him with us, in our hearts.”

Please take time to visit the books during this time of Remembrance.

A nation remembers

2010-11-08T11:26:00.000Z

The poppy, the recognised emblem for Remembrance Sunday

At this time of year, you'll notice a splash of red adorning winter coats, suit jackets, dresses . . . The poppy - an emblem of remembrance and recognition of those who have given their lives in the service of their country.

The 11th November was the date the armistice was signed at 11.00am in 1918, bringing an end to the First World War. In the years that followed, this date and the second Sunday of November, Remembrance services were and are held across the country.

Poppies are produced by the Royal British Legion and Poppyscotland. Both raising awareness and funds for the Armed Forces Community.

Our website holds information about the history of Remembrance Sunday that you might also find interesting.

Image: CROWN COPYRIGHT

Looking behind the headlines

2010-11-04T10:21:00.000Z

SPVA Podcast presenters Don and Clare

Our latest podcast looks at bereavement care.

SPVA continues with our series of podcasts keeping Service personnel and veterans up-to-date with items of interest or news from within the Agency and the Armed Forces Community.

Our latest podcast provides an update on a project developing services for bereaved members of the Armed Forces Community.

Cruse Bereavement Care, a national charity, is running the three-year project, funded by the Department of Health. Jenny Green, the Project Manager takes part in the podcast interview, providing news of the Project’s progress.

Jenny said: “The podcast is a great way to provide wider awareness of what the Project hopes to achieve in support of the Armed Forces Community. Our aim is to provide accessible support, establish new services and give service specific training for those who are supporting bereaved people.”

Laurie Manton, Head of SPVA Media and Communications said: “SPVA is committed to providing awareness of initiatives and organisations supporting the Armed Forces Community. Since early 2010, SPVA has released a number of podcasts providing information and updates of initiatives and services provided for this important community.”

The podcast and other SPVA social media products are available to access on our Social Media Hub via the Veterans-UK website, and on various social media sites such as iTunes and YouTube.

Don't forget, to keep up-to-date on our social media releases follow us on Twitter!

Recognition and commemoration

2010-11-03T10:52:00.003Z

Each of the stamps include a monochrome image of an Armed Forces Memorial from the National Arboretum (Picture; Royal Mail)

The Royal Mail has issued a special commemorative sheet of stamps to recognise the sacrifice and contribution made by all those who have served in the Armed Forces.

All profits from the sales of the stamps will be donated to the National Memorial Arboretum, situated in Staffordshire.

The SPVA website also holds information about the Armed Forces Memorial situated at the National Arboretum and also houses the Roll of Honour search facility.

The Roll of Honour database allows you to search for a person who died while they were in Service; the database contains details of those who have died since 1st January 1948. It's simple to use, requiring either the surname and forenames, or initials (if known), or the Service number. When you have found the person you are looking for you will be given an option to print a Memorial Scroll that will contain details of their Service in the Armed Forces.

New support groups for the Armed Forces Community

2010-11-01T15:37:00.000Z

The committees' webpages are housed on the Veterans-UK website

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) has launched a new regional network to help veterans, Serving personnel and their families access welfare support in their local area. The one year pilot scheme will see 13 new ‘Veterans Advisory & Pensions Committees (VAPCs)’ across the United Kingdom.

The VAPCs replace the previous ‘War Pension Committees’ but this is not simply a change of name. The new committees have been completely re-constituted and have a fresh focus and a much wider role. This includes:

Acting as advocates for implementing improved cross-Government support, including the services outlined in the Service Personnel Command Paper and the Armed Forces ‘Welfare Pathway’.
Raising awareness within their regions of the support available to veterans and the Armed Forces community. This includes compensation and pension schemes for those injured, disabled or bereaved through Service, advice services and the work of the MOD’s Veterans Welfare Service.
Assisting serving personnel, their families and veterans in accessing the above services and other local support. This will include providing specific assistance and guidance to individuals in their areas and ensuring they are put in touch with the relevant organisations who can help. The committees will also provide an independent element to the Service Personnel and Veterans Agency’s complaints process.

Chairmen and members have now been appointed to all 13 committees. All are volunteers and come from a cross-section of the local community, including health, social care, legal professionals and veterans groups.

Administration support and guidance for the VAPCs is provided by SPVA. Jon Parkin, the Agency’s Head of Veterans Services said:

“We know from talking to veterans that problems they face can often result from issues affecting a specific area of the country. The new VAPCs will have a vital, on the ground, local knowledge of these issues and will help ensure that Service personnel and veterans needing assistance get the help that’s right for them, wherever they live.”

Lt Col Ray Holland, a Chairman of one of the new Veterans Advisory and Pensions Committees said:

“The new committees will ensure that the needs of Veterans and their dependants are championed at every level from central government to the local community. We will assist in the implementation of the Military Covenant and work closely with local authorities, primary care trusts and Service charities in the delivery of services and benefits.

The committees comprise of members drawn from all walks of life providing a wide range of experience and knowledge, a number of whom have previously served in the Armed Forces. Located on a regional basis, our local knowledge makes us well placed to serve the veteran community.”

Members of the Armed Forces or Veterans community wanting to contact their local committee should contact the Veterans Welfare Centre for their area or the Veterans-UK Helpline 0800 169 2277. Alternatively more information can be found on the VAPC webpages.

Put on a poppy

2010-10-29T11:03:00.000+01:00

The Saturdays pose with Servicemen at the launch [picture: an West/PA Wire]

The Royal British Legion's 90th Poppy Appeal was launched yesterday with a special focus on the support for the injured, wounded and bereaved members of the 'Afghan generation' of British Armed Forces.

Under the motto, "Put on a poppy", the national Poppy Appeal was launched at Colchester Garrison with a concert from chart-topping pop sensations The Saturdays for families and personnel of 16 Air Assault Brigade which is currently on combat operations in Afghanistan.