NEW GUIDE LAUNCHED: Find out more about the Veterans’ Places, Pathways and People programme
New Guide – Veterans Places Pathways and People
The Veterans’ Places, Pathways and People programme is creating better, more sustainable support for veterans in the communities where they live. It is supporting major projects to enable veterans to access support that meets their needs. 14 major projects will encourage the development of safe, welcoming places for veterans to go in their local area, support for the people (staff and volunteers in organisations that support veterans) to be able to have access to good quality training and will connect veterans into wider pathways including for mental health support and treatment.
With funding from HM Treasury; the Veterans Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund awarded £9M in the 2021/22 to 14 major projects through the Veterans’ Places, Pathways and People programme.
10 grants have been awarded in the countries and regions of the UK, to develop better, more joined up lasting support for local veterans with mental health needs. 4 grants have been awarded for national strategic projects.
There is strong potential that the veteran led projects will be able to support long term change and improvements for veterans. A new guide has been launched to raise awareness of the 10 portfolios and their work; which will take place over the next two years. The guide was launched in June 2022 at a breakfast event attended by the Rt Hon Leo Docherty MP, Minister for Defence People and Veterans; and the Rt Hon Michael Ellis QC MP, Minister for the Cabinet Office.
The Portfolios are at an early stage of their delivery; and have all developed their delivery plans through extensive regional consultations. The Portfolios actively encourage organisations in Statutory or Voluntary sectors to engage in their work, and contact details for all of the Portfolio projects can be found within each profile contained later in this document.
Anna Wright, Chief Executive of the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust said
“The Trust is excited about the potential that these grants can have to deliver real and lasting change. Through these grants veterans with mental health needs can have better access to effective pathways of care and support in their region; and have safe places to go to access support, reduce isolation and support positive mental health. We hope that this guide gives a useful introduction to their work; and encourage voluntary and statutory organisations to work with the Portfolios to deliver lasting change for our veterans”