News

11th October 2018: Forces in Mind Trust Research Centre Conference 2018: Evidence and Policy for Veterans and their Families

The inaugural Forces in Mind Trust Research Centre (FiMT RC) Conference, sponsored by Lord Ashcroft, is being held on 11 October 2018 at Church House in Westminster. The conference will focus on research into veterans and their families from the perspectives of academics, policy makers and service providers, and will cover the processes, challenges, benefits and impact of research, highlighting opportunities for research funding and collaboration during four concise sessions. There will be plenty of scope for networking, questions and discussion. Speakers include Lord Ashcroft PC KCMG, Tobias Ellwood (Minister for Defence Veterans, Reserves and Personnel), Hans Pung (Chair, RAND Europe), Professor Mike Thomas (Vice Chancellor, UCLAN) and Air Vice-Marshal Ray Lock CBE (Chief Executive, Forces in Mind Trust).

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26th June – Heropreneurs Networking (Exeter)

This event will be of value to anyone in the Armed Forces community who is interested in setting up or growing their own business & those allies who wish to work with and support them. In addition to the talk there will be plenty of time for networking.

Phil Eaglesham is leading his team to build an innovative mobility device that will give confidence and independence to users.

Phil contracted Q Fever (Helmand Fever) during active service as a Royal Marine Commando in Afghanistan. As a result, he relies on wheelchairs and similar devices for his mobility.

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The mental health and offending behaviour of ex-military personnel in the Criminal Justice System differs from offenders who have not served in the military

Ex-Service personnel in the Criminal Justice System (CJS) have distinct patterns of offending and mental health problems compared to offenders from a non-Service background, according to a Forces in Mind Trust (FiMT) funded report.

Researchers at King’s College London looked at ex-Service personnel identified through the CJS as having social or mental health needs. They found ex-Service personnel were more likely to have Anxiety disorders (37% of veterans versus 13% non-veterans), which included PTSD, and Adjustment Disorder (8%vs6%*), as well as higher levels of co-occurring mental health problems than people with a non-Service background.

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 Anchor Vans to support Tour de Troops cyclists

Anchor Vans, the UK’s biggest commercial vehicle hypermarket, will be supporting dedicated cyclists taking part in the Tour de Troops challenge this summer.

The event, a five-day endurance test that sees participants cycling all the way from Land’s End to John O’ Groats, is taking place in aid of military charity the Felix Fund.

The Felix Fund supports the country’s brave disposal experts, the EOD community and their families.

Official sponsorship for the event comes from L3 TRL Technology, a defence cbersecurity company.

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Ex-Service personnel more likely to claim disability benefits long-term than unemployment benefits

Forces in Mind Trust (FiMT) funded research released today, Tuesday 22nd May, reveals that while nearly a quarter of ex-Service personnel receive unemployment benefit at some point after leaving the Armed Forces, most usage occurs in the period immediately after leaving and is short-term, with only 1.5% continuing to claim the support two years after serving.

The ‘Veterans and benefits’ report, by Dr Howard Burdett of King’s College London (KCL), looks at the relationships between unemployment and disability benefit usage by UK ex-Service personnel, and between social demographics, Service characteristics, mental health (ie Common Mental Disorder (CMD), Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)) and alcohol misuse.

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Army&You – Summer Edition

The perfect work-life balance may seem impossible to achieve in Army life but times are changing. In this edition’s main feature, we hear about the Army’s plans for Flexible Service and meet the families who are fitting work around unpredictable schedules and long spells of separation.

Heading overseas, we hear from the Army families who have continued their education and training, maintained their professional registration and even diversified from their original careers.

We shine the spotlight on Cyprus, London and Kinloss and there’s an inspirational story from Everest Base Camp.

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Highlights video of 2018 Soldiering On Awards

See the highlights video from the 2018 Soldiering On Awards which took place in the presence of Awards Patron the Rt Hon Earl Howe PC.

Join us once again in congratulating all of our amazing Awards Winners.

Our thanks go to Jeremy Vine and Vicki Michelle MBE for being such fabulous hosts for the evening and to Carly Paoli for her outstanding performance including a special tribute to RAF 100.

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Veterans struggling with life after the military are urged to join a unique Peer Support Service

Former servicemen and women who are struggling to cope with life outside of the military are being urged to sign up to a Peer Support Service, delivered by veterans’ mental health charity Combat Stress.

Led by veterans for veterans, it’s the first UK-wide service of its kind for those with mental health problems. The Peer Support Service, funded by The Royal British Legion, helps those veterans whose mental health has been affected by their time in the Armed Forces, and who are experiencing loneliness and social isolation after leaving the military.

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Cobseo

Cobseo’s statement in response to Lord Ashcroft stepping down from the Veterans’ Transition role

General Sir John McColl, KCB, CBE, DSO, Executive Chairman of Cobseo, The Confederation of Service Charities said:

‘Lord Ashcroft has made a significant impact on Veterans transition since his appointment as Veteran’s Tsar in 2012. He has been an influential voice, highlighting issues around which others have coalesced. We in Cobseo thank him for all that he has done on behalf of the Veteran’s community. A great deal remains to be done and we are delighted that Lord Ashcroft intends to remain Involved, particularly in the preparation of the Veteran’s Strategy due for publication later in 2018

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Afghanistan support

In light of recent events in Afghanistan, please find information and support resources here