The Defence Medical Welfare Service (DMWS) is delighted to have been elected to the Confederation of Service Charities (Cobseo) Executive alongside War Widows Association and the Poppy Factory. The results were announced during the Cobseo Annual General Meeting on Tuesday 11 July 2017.
Cobseo’s Chairman, General Sir John McColl, opened the Annual Meeting with a warm welcome. He reported on the past activities of the Confederation and gave an update on current issues concerning the members. He said: “The size and shape of the Armed Forces have undergone, and continue to undergo, radical alteration with further reviews round the corner. The effect is not only on the number of serving and retired personnel, but on support to families, the regular/reserve mix, and the size of the Veteran’s community. All this comes against the backdrop of a squeeze in Government funding and an increase in regulation.”
Our CEO, Nicky Murdoch, who attended the meeting said: “The MOD across the world in peacetime and on operations has been our core business since our formation over 70 years ago. However, it is important for DMWS to evolve constantly to meet new needs and to be sustainable.”
In 2016 we maintained our strategy of diversification and extended our service to military veterans, a population which is growing and increasingly in need of our care. Our path to diversification has also seen DMWS Welfare Officers working with veterans in the Cheshire and Greater Manchester Probation Service as part of a prevention strategy; and with the Police in Hampshire and Avon & Somerset. Nicky continued: “We are delighted that we are making a real difference to those who put themselves in harm’s way for the Nation.”
Furthermore she commented on the election to the executive: “DMWS is very happy to be on the Cobseo Executive. This is the first time a small charity such as ours has been elected in a vote by members. We are looking forward to working with the other members to finding solutions for the issues and concerns that affect the Armed Forces Community.”
ENDS
Notes to editors
For further information on DMWS please contact Christine Pilbeam, Marketing and PR Manager on 01264 774 270 or email mfo@dmws.org.uk
Registered Charity in England and Wales (1087210) and in Scotland (SC045460)
About St John and Red Cross Defence Medical Welfare Service (DMWS)
The St John and Red Cross Defence Medical Welfare Service (DMWS) has been providing a person-centred medical welfare service to the Armed Forces Community since 1943. In that time we have supported over 1,000 000 patients and their families, ensuring that no one goes through the worry of injury and illness alone. Our highly trained welfare officers provide practical and emotional support to those receiving medical treatment. Recent new projects with organisations such as the police, the NHS and the probation service demonstrates the broad appeal of the organisation and its application to a wide set of frontline services. We are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. www.dmws.org.uk
