Veterans Contact Point – South Warwickshire
The Veterans Contact Point – South Warwickshire held its first Armed Forces Awareness Event at the Warwick Arms Hotel in Warwick on Thursday, 2nd March 2023. This event also celebrated the official opening of the Southern Hub which complements the existing Northern Hub in Nuneaton. Funding for this development came from a grant made by The Veterans Foundation.
Warwickshire’s Lord Lieutenant Tim Cox and High Sherriff David Kelham joined other VIP’s, Veterans and representatives from Military Charities, NHS, Local Authorities and Community Organisations from across Warwickshire in celebrating this event and in learning more about the great work being done by The Veterans Contact Point and the local Armed Forces Covenant Partnership.
VCP President – Prof Damian Griffin OBE
Jeff Worthington & Jason Hester Peer Support
Press Release by Warwick District Council
New Veterans Contact Point – South Warwickshire Hub launched
Local Veterans now have a new, easy-access location for help and support in the centre of Warwick at Pageant House, provided by Warwick District Council. This new opportunity for veterans is provided by The Veterans Contact Point (VCP). The (VCP) South Warwickshire Hub was launched at an event held at The Warwick Arms Hotel on Thursday, 2nd March 2023 which was attended by Warwickshire Lord Lieutenant, Warwickshire Police Crimes Commissioner, Members and staff from Warwick District Council, Stratford-on-Avon District Council, Armed Forces Personnel both Serving & Veterans, Military Charities, NHS/Hospitals and representatives from across the local Community
It was also supported with key presentations and delegates from Warwickshire County Council – Chair of the Local Armed Forces Covenant Partnership, Ministry of Defence/Army HQ West Midlands, Warwickshire Police, Coventry Warwickshire Partnership NHS Trust Veteran Mental Health and Wellbeing Service (OP Courage), Solider, Sailor, Airman and Families Association (SSAFA) and The President and Veterans from the Veterans Contact Point.
Warwick District Councillor George Illingworth, Armed Forces Covenant Champion, said:
Cllr George Illingworth – Warwick District Council
Cllr Wallace Redford – Warwickshire County Council & CSW Armed Forces Covenant Lead
Peter Knight – SSAFA Warwickshire & Coventry Branch
“I’m delighted to be part of this project which provides much-needed help and support for our local Veterans. Volunteers who have served themselves will be on hand to help or to signpost to other organisations, it’s a worthwhile charitable service and one which I am proud to support.”
Stratford–on-Avon District Councillor Christopher Kettle, Portfolio Holder for Legal and Community Safety, said:
“With the current conflict in Ukraine, Stratford District Council are only too aware of the valuable contribution of our Armed Forces, their families and residents who presently and previously have served the nation. The new Veterans Contact Point will provide valuable resources and is an important component of the debt we all owe to those in the armed forces community”.
Len Hardy BEM – Executive Trustee VCP & Event Host
Len Hardy BEM, Executive Trustee & Veterans Champion VCP, said:
“The Veterans Contact Point (VCP) has been working with Warwick & Stratford on Avon District Council’s to develop this fantastic opportunity to provide a local hub in South Warwickshire. We will, in partnership with others, support and deliver upon the UK’s Community’s Armed Forces Covenant pledge made to its Armed Forces Community and their Families, present and past.
Shelia Stephenson HQ Army W/Mids
Dr’s Dan Barnard & Esther Riggs supported by John Walker MBE – OP COURAGE
“We are extremely pleased to have this operating base in Warwick which will be developed to become a multi-agency intervention hub, providing and developing local support and awareness for Veterans and their families living in South Warwickshire.”
The Veterans Contact Point’s South Warwickshire Hub in Warwick is located at Pageant House in the town and is open Monday to Friday from 10am to 4pm; Veterans and their families from the UK Armed Forces can go for help and advice, welfare support, housing, finance benefits & debt referrals, health & wellbeing, work, volunteering, and community projects.
Inspector Victoria Duffield-Smith Warwickshire Police Armed Forces Champion
PC Scotty Caswell – Warwickshire Police Armed Forces Champion
Picture Caption left to right: Sheila Stephenson (Army West Midlands), Councillor Wallace Redford (WCC and Chair of Coventry, Solihull and Warwickshire Armed Forces Covenant Partnership, Dr Esther Riggs (Courage), Damian Griffin (President Veteran’s Contact Point), Councillor George Illingworth (WDC), Dr Dan Barnard (Courage), Inspector Victoria Duffield -Smith (Warwickshire Police), Bernadette Allen (WDC Armed Forces Lead). Police Constable Scott Caswell (Warwickshire Police), Councillor Parminder Singh Birdi (Mayor of Warwick), Len Hardy BEM, Executive Trustee & Veterans Champion VCP (Chair Veterans Contact Point)
For further information on the Veterans Contact Point, visit Pageant House, Jury Street, Warwick, CV34 4ES or relating to the services they provide, email contactus@veteranscontactpoint.co.uk, telephone: 02476 343793 or visit www.veteranscontactpoint.org.uk.