Jim Davidson OBE, CEO Care after Combat, has shared the following response to the Coronavirus/COVID19:
The outbreak of Coronavirus/COVID-19 in the United Kingdom and globally, is both unprecedented and deeply concerning. As the pandemic develops, Care after Combat is following events closely, undertaking daily briefings with all essential staff and implementing governmental measures with immediate effect.
Our primary concern is the health, safety and wellbeing of ex-service personnel in the criminal justice system, and the community, our mentors and staff, and we are continually reviewing the delivery of our service in order to fulfil this commitment.
Care after Combat, founded in 2014 by Jim Davidson OBE, Simon Weston CBE and Goose Cryer MC, is committed to the challenges of working with this most deserving group.
Whilst some of us have experienced conflict and the onerous burden placed upon families and loved ones, currents events are unprecedented and will test the nation’s resolve. We are, needless to say, a better country for what our veterans, serving personnel and their families previously sacrificed, but fail them if we do not recognise the current challenges.
Our Head Quarters and UK operations remain remotely operational, staff and volunteer mentors, are able to work from home, resulting in a seamless service. Our out of hours telephone service remains fully operational
In all aspects it will be, as far as possible, ‘business as usual’ although Care after Combat’s, volunteer mentors will provide support via telephone and online communications rather than in person
In summary, Care after Combat will and is continuing to support its “veteran family” and where/when the current pandemic has impeded our usual ways of operating we have been adaptive, collaborative and innovative, and utilise the goodwill of our strategic partners and the many friends who have expressed a wish to contribute in order to make sure all are safe in the uncertain weeks ahead.
