A programme to create better, sustainable support for veterans in the communities where they live
The Veterans’ Places, Pathways and People (VPPP) programme aims to deliver significant improvements to how veterans with mental health and wellbeing needs can be supported in a joined-up way. It provides grants for the sustainable provision of places of safety and pathways of support across the UK. It also aims to ensure that the people who support veterans, including paid staff and volunteers, can access good quality training and support themselves.
As year one of the two-year VPPP programme ends for most of the projects involved, we’re reflecting on some of the developments, progress and achievements made so far for the benefit of the veteran community.
People
A key factor in the successes and developments in each region is undoubtedly due to experienced and well-connected people leading the way and making things happen.
One of the most striking observations is the increase in the number of organisations and agencies becoming involved in delivery within the programme.
Across the 10 portfolio regions in the UK, there are 88 individual organisations funded by the programme, with a number of organisations involved in working in multiple regions, and each region having between seven and 19 funded ‘partners’.
Supporting the core funded delivery partners are approximately 251 additional organisations and agencies – ‘unfunded partners’ or ‘associate members’ – which receive no direct funding from the programme, that have become involved in the regional networks and help to support veterans and their families in a range of ways.
These additional organisations include registered charities, CICs, companies, government departments such as DWP and the MOD, local authorities, NHS, educational institutions, and the police and other emergency services.
The number of organisations involved is likely to increase in year two, with some regions planning further active recruitment into their portfolios.
What are funded and non-funded partners contributing?
To understand more about why and how the regional VPPP portfolios are expanding, why these additional organisations are getting involved, what they are contributing and the overall achievements of these expanding regional networks, we spoke to the regional leads in each area to hear their thoughts and discuss some observations.
Overall, they were positive about the effects and potential impact of the programme on the mental health and wellbeing of the veterans’ community in the UK. They are optimistic about the legacy of the programme and the sustainability of the outcomes it will deliver.
Some key themes and observations included:
- the VPPP programme has been a catalyst for greater connections and collaboration with the public sector, most notably with NHS providers
- the unfunded partners involved in the programme recognise and receive non-financial benefits by being in the network – it helps them to stay informed and receive other support and guidance to help their beneficiaries
- expanding networks have filled gaps in provision in some regions, particularly in more challenging or overlooked areas of need.
Pathways
Connections (e.g., for referrals), policies and practices, and new and improved systems and processes developed through the programme – the ‘pathways’ – are seen as perhaps the most likely to continue beyond the life of the two-year funding.
One Regional lead told us: “It is probably fair to say that the biggest achievement of the VPPP programme to date across [our region] has been the establishment of some very exciting and, in the longer term, important relationships and pathways – in partnership – that quite simply did not exist one year ago.”
Places
The ‘places’ may be challenging to sustain without continued funding, particularly during the cost-of-living crisis.
Local venues that provide safe spaces for veterans are faced with making tough choices about when and if they can open, which is a dilemma as they try to maintain a certain level of service and support for veterans. These venues, and those that may seem well resourced and provide a greater level of treatment and engagement to veterans, need sustained financial investment.
Looking ahead to year two
Year two of the VPPP programme promises to build and capitalise on the achievements and developments so far. Regional portfolios are becoming more interconnected; services and referral pathways are more joined up; communication has been strengthened; new safe places delivering services for veterans have been established and existing places have received vital funding.
Accessing and engaging with previously hard to reach veterans has become that bit easier and will become more so. Lives have been saved.
During the second year of the programme, portfolio partners and the veteran community they support will also face more challenges – growing concerns about the cost-of-living crisis and its affects being at the forefront. Mental health and an increase in the number of complex cases are reported as growing challenges. Veterans in need asking for help, or waiting until they are in crisis, is still seen as a big challenge despite significant progress in recent years. Ensuring that the support is accessible to all veterans in need, particularly in rural communities, is a concern for many. Isolation and loneliness, even in cities and urban areas, remains an issue. But the remarkable projects, services, infrastructure and people within the VPPP programme will be at the forefront of addressing these challenges in the coming year.
Find out more
For a longer read on the progress made so far under the VPPP programme, head to our Knowledge Network for the full article.
You can also learn more about the VPPP programme on our dedicated programme page.