Find out more about the Veterans Welfare Service

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

Regional Support for Armed Forces Community

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.

Its all change at Veterans WORLD

Issue 17 with the new look

The latest issue of Veterans WORLD is now online.  You'll notice that we have changed the overall look of the magazine but we'll still telling you about the help and advice available to ex-Service personnel and their families, just in a different way!  It's now a  28 page A4-sized publication and its jam-packed with news items or features about organisations, projects and services that are there to help.

Our first 'new' issue
The front cover is dedicated to the 125th anniversary of SSAFA and inside the issue, we tell you how this Service charity is marking its anniversary with a number of fundraising events.  We now also have some regular features - an SPVA news page; providing updates from our Agency and a noticeboard section where we will provide information on  a new or improved website providing advice and support.  On our feature pages we tell you about: a new initiative using Football to improve health and well-being for younger veterans, how The Beacon Scheme is creating employment opportunities and a retrospective looked at Armed Forces Day 2010 and plans for next year's event.  That's just a brief overview, so take a look at the issue and find out more.

We also also released a new podcast interview with Laurie Manton, Editor-in-Chief of Veterans WORLD where Don Goldie quizzes him of the revamp and future plans.

We're also increasing the frequency to four issues per year, but don't worry each new issue will be blogged or tweeted about, so you won't miss a copy!

If you are an organisation providing help and support to ex-Service personnel and their families, please consider submitting an article to us for consideration at the Veterans WORLD email.

Latest issue of Veterans WORLD now available

Veterans WORLD raises awareness of help and advice available to veterans and their families

The latest issue of Veterans WORLD is available online. 

Veterans WORLD is the SPVA external publication, issued thrice-yearly to advisers who meet the public on a daily basis. With an estimated 4.8 million veterans living in the UK, it's guaranteed that they will meet veterans using their services.
Veterans WORLD is a good resource tool, highlighting the help, advice and support available to their veterans and families. This could be anything from a service provided by an ex-Service organisation, an MOD housing initiative to a grant provided by a charity.
There are other 18,000 advisers on our free distribution, from Citizen Advice Bureaux, Resettlement Officers, ex-Service organisations to Local Housing Officers. If you work in an advisory role, then you should consider applying for copies.
The latest issue, number 16, includes a front-page story on Armed Forces Day 2010, an update on the Armed Forces Community Welfare Pathway roll-out and how a flying charity helped a disabled veteran reach for the sky.