Support for Veterans
Information
Here you’ll find answers to some common questions concerning veterans.
Select the underlined sections below to see more.
Definition
Veterans Rights
Mental Health
Definition
The Ministry of Defence (MOD) defines a veteran as: “anyone who has served for at least one day in Her Majesty’s Armed Forces (Regular or Reserve), or Merchant Mariners who have seen duty on legally defined military operations.” Under the definition, veterans have already left the Armed Forces.
Veterans Rights
The Armed Forces Covenant is a promise by the nation that those who serve and have served, and their families should be treated fairly. Some of which include housing, employment, health and support.
The link below provides key facts for veterans by The Ministry of Defence.
Mental Health
Mental health problems are common and can affect anyone, including veterans, serving personnel, reservists and their families. It’s important to get help and support if you or someone you know has mental health problems.
If you are experiencing mental health difficulties, you can access lots of information in the sections below.
Finding help
Support available for veterans within North Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent
Select the underlined sections below to see more.
Veteran Aware
North Staffordshire Wellbeing College
Walk Talk and Action
Tri-Services
Veteran Aware
North Staffordshire Combined NHS Trust is proud to be signed up to the Armed Forces Covenant and received the Veteran Aware accreditation awarded by the Veterans Covenant Healthcare Alliance (VCHA) in February 2023.
North Staffs Combined Healthcare Trust want to continue its ongoing commitment and have a number of areas to support both veterans and their family within the wider organisation, these include processes that support you to identify as a veteran.
Combined Veteran information leaflet lists a range of services available to support the armed forces community.
North Staffordshire Wellbeing College
North Staffordshire Wellbeing College provide workshops with a range of topics including a six week course which has been co-designed by veterans for veterans.
Please click onto the link to hear from some students who attended the six-week course accessed within the wellbeing college: https://youtu.be/2OnFfFuBTEg
Click the link to access The Wellbeing College web site: Homepage – Wellbeing College (combined.nhs.uk)
Walk Talk and Action
Walk Talk and Action provides local help to people who suffer from depression, anxiety and loneliness this includes help for veterans and the military community. There are a range of programmes and activities including their 10 Step Programme, Nature Walks, Tea and Toast and much more.
Click on the link to access more information and advice: Walk Talk Action – Mental Health Support in Stoke-on-Trent
Tri-Services
Tri-Services & Veterans Support Centre offer support for local veterans, click on the link to the website for details: Tri Services Veteran Support Centre
Getting more help
If you haven’t already found the help you’re looking for, you can find additional information here.
Select the underlined services below to view what resources are available.
Veterans Mental Health and Wellbeing Service
Citizens Advice
Combat Stress
ssafa
Walking With The Wounded
Veterans Mental Health and Wellbeing Service
Op COURAGE is an NHS mental health specialist service designed to help serving personnel due to leave the military, reservists, armed forces veterans and their families.
The first step to getting help is to contact Op Courage or you can ask your GP, a charity or someone else such as a family member or friend to do this on your behalf.
Midlands and East: Call 0300 323 0137 or email mevs.mhm@nhs.net (this includes the Op Courage urgent care and support service).
If you would like more information please click on the link below.
Op COURAGE | The Veterans Mental Health and Wellbeing Service (opcouragemidlands.nhs.uk)
Citizens Advice
Citizens Advice also provide support for people who are serving in the armed forces, people who used to serve in the armed forces (veterans) and the dependants of people serving in the armed forces and veterans.
This includes advice on financial help such as benefits available in the UK, Council Tax Relief, help with school fees and child care costs. The below link will provide further detailed advice and support.
Benefits and concessions for the armed forces, veterans and their families – Citizens Advice
Combat Stress
Providing specialist treatment and support for veterans from every service and conflict, focusing on those with complex mental health issues resulting from their experiences during military service.
Click on the link below for more information:
ssafa
The Armed Forces Charity offer support to both regulars and reserves in the Royal Navy, the Royal Marines, the British Army and the Royal Air Force and their families, including anyone who has completed National Service.
They understand the unique demands of service life, whether in the UK or overseas, and in times of need, help to enable the Forces family to thrive.
Click on the link to go to their website: SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity
Walking With The Wounded
Walking With The Wounded gets those who’ve served – and their families – back on their feet.
They help three things: employment, mental health and care coordination which are saving jobs, homes, relationships and lives for the veterans who are struggling since leaving the military.
Use the link to have a look at their website: UK Military Veterans Charity | Walking With The Wounded | Walking With The Wounded
