Veterans’ Gateway, a new service providing a first point of contact for veterans seeking support, launched across the UK last week. Veterans’ Gateway will improve access to welfare services and speed-up the time it takes for veterans to receive the support they deserve.
Developed in response to Lord Ashcroft’s Veterans’ Transition Review, Veterans’ Gateway is a £2 million service funded by the Ministry of Defence (MoD) from the Covenant Fund and will be delivered by a consortium comprising The Royal British Legion, Poppyscotland, Combat Stress, Connect Assist, the Ministry of Defence and SSAFA, the Armed Forces Charity.
The new 24-hour online chat, phone, and text message service is partly manned by veterans who have been trained to help a British Armed Forces community estimated to be around 6 million and growing by 20,000 annually. Bringing together over 30 referral partners including Veterans UK, Mind and the Career Transition Partnership to name but a few – and with more organisations to be added – veterans and their dependents will be able to access support services in areas including physical health, financial support, assistance with independent living, housing, mental wellbeing, and employment.
Tobias Ellwood, Minister for Defence People and Veterans said: “The vast majority of our people make a smooth transition from military to civilian life, but Veterans’ Gateway provides extra support in the form of a staffed, 24-hour, one-stop-shop offering guidance on housing and employment, finance, mental and physical health. Our £2 million investment honours the nation’s Armed Forces Covenant and draws all facets of support for our Armed Forces community together for the first time.”
For more information on Veterans’ Gateway, or if you are in need of support, visit www.veteransgateway.org.uk, call 0808 802 1212 or text 81212
