Category Archive:VCP News

Armed Forces Covenant Employer Recognition Scheme Silver Award

We’re proud to announce that the VCP has received the Armed Forces Covenant Employer Recognition Scheme Silver Award.

The award was presented at the National Memorial Arboretum on Wednesday 3rd November and collected on behalf of the VCP by Tom Murphy and Jeff Worthington.

Veterans Contact Point at the Arley Festival of Flight 2021

On Saturday 4th September the Veterans Contact Point attended a large important community event in the local area.

It was for our own fun, enjoyment and to relax, but Veterans Support, Veterans Awareness and communication within the Community was the underlying reason.  Informing our Veterans, families and the communities about the fabulous work being carried out in the area by our Armed Forces Covenant Partnership.

Ed our Volunteer Peer Support Worker Providing VCP Outreach Interventions in Southern Warwickshire

Ed a RRF Veteran has been instrumental in ensuring fellow Veterans and their Families are not forgotten during the impacts of COVID19 & National Lockdown.

Like the VCP Hub, Ed has been “out there” doing the right thing for those in need in the Stratford Upon Avon/Warwick and LSPA areas. As a Volunteer Ed also runs a Armed Forces & Veterans Breakfast Club, but had to suspend this due to the current restrictions. This allowed Ed to focus on providing outreach welfare and buddy calls to Veterans known to him and the VCP ensuring that they were included in support.

Working mainly from his home or boot of his car, Ed accompanied by his Wife and Children put together food parcels, NAFFI Break Packs some of which were donated by Morrisons in Leamington & Stratford.

Working with lead Armed Forces Covenant Partners in delivering effective interventions such as that provided by Ed, the VCP hopes to secure a base in the South of Warwickshire to help Ed with a place to operate from and for a meeting point to bring together other veterans for a “brew and a chat/banter” once COVID is under control and restrictions are lifted and group contact allowable.

Pictured in the main image is Ed with the Morrisons (SOA) Community Lead and Cllr Wallace Redford – WCC AFC Lead.

Once we have information about a Southern Hub we will share across our social media and through direct contact with veterans and families known to us.

The VCP is extremely proud of the work being done by Ed and applaud his dedication and motivation to his fellow veterans/families and recognise again the power and commitment of veterans in supporting others. The VCP is reliant on Veterans like Ed and he compliments the other Veterans who provide this service across our other areas. We are always open for fresh volunteers, partnerships and projects – contact details: email contactus@veteranscontactpoint.co.uk or telephone 02476343793 to learn more.

VCP Ensures that Veterans Should Not Be Forgotten – Especially at Christmas

The impact on COVID19 has been devastating on people in the community, with various Lockdowns, Firebreaks, Tiers and so forth. Generally Veterans across Coventry, Solihull and Warwickshire have proved to be resilient and have coped, but some still struggle with isolation, loneliness impacting on their physical and mental well-being.

As Veterans ourselves we appreciate how important it is to “be home” at Christmas, our own military life often meant that we could be away at this time of year. However no matter where in the world we where, what ever corner of a field or desert we may find ourselves, we always tried to celebrate Christmas. A tradition exists where Officers and SNCO’s served Christmas Dinner to the enlisted men as a show of thanks from their own service and loyalty to whom they in turn served.

The VCP is extremely proud to provide a little festive cheer to our veterans as a way of giving back and ensuring that we maintain a tradition that our former servicemen and women did before us.

On the 21st December at the VCP in Nuneaton, we will be providing a 3 course cooked Christmas Lunch, cooked by Nick Caswell our Chef, assisted by Dawn his Wife, Tam, Jock and John our Peer Support workers/servers/dish washers, to needy veterans from across CSW AFC Area. Food has been donated by Morrisons (LSPA & SOA) and by food donated through Warwickshire County Council, topped up by a small donation from the VCP coffers. NBBC have kindly offered to help with taxi’s (Tier3 allowing) to transport veterans to/from lunch.

Please see the poster for full details, be mindful that we are limiting sittings to a maximum of 6 veterans per sitting. You may also be required to wear a facemask when not eating and ALL dinners will be required to follow strict COVID guidance/precautions at all times.

We require you to ring and book a place for dinner, you may be asked why you need to come – this is to ensure those in priority need get a place first. You will be informed what time your sitting is and when to be at and leave the VCP by.

On behalf of the Board of Trustee’s, Staff, Volunteers, Veterans and many Supporters – thank you for ensuring that the VCP can support and be there for Veterans and their Families from across the Coventry, Solihull and Warwickshire Area, We wish you all a safe and Happy Christmas, no matter where you may be in the world.

A Tribute to Lyn Kelley – Our Veterans Are Not Forgotten.

A Tribute to Lyn Kelley – Lyn first made contact with the VCP way back in 2011 in her role as an RBL Volunteer Welfare Caseworker , when we were operating out of NBBC Town Hall in Nuneaton. She “jumped ship” and became a volunteer with the VCP in 2012 and stayed with us, helping us in our work to become a registered charity and effective organisation in supporting the needs of our local Armed Forces Community.

Lyn showed total dedication in her efforts to ensure that Veterans and their Families who were in need received the best support that their time in the UK Armed Forces made them eligible to access. This also included her individual efforts to ensure that the VCP was open to receive “drop in’s” from Veterans, providing them a brew/wet and welcoming them to the charity. We have seen Lyn battling all weathers to ensure the door is open and the kettle is on.

During the close down of the VCP to allow the refurbishment to take place, she even ensured that the initial Balfour Beatty Workforce had a hot brew and were given access to the building.

Lyn was a veteran herself, she proudly served in the RAF and later in the Army as a Reservist, two of her sons also followed her into Military Service. Above all Lyn was a Mother and Grandmother and loved her family with passion.

Lyn gave so much, so freely and ensured as far as she could that all Veterans were given support and access to other opportunities. She received no monetary payment for her efforts, but received payback in knowing that she was doing the right thing for others. Over 7,000 people have seen the post informing our Community of her sad passing – a tribute to Lyn that she has touched so many people through her dedicated work with the VCP a passion, a pride and her life work.

We continue to be there for her and her family and to remember her as a fellow Veteran, a Friend, a Mother and Grandmother and a local person who gave so much to others.

Lyn you will be missed by so many people, but we know that through your efforts, that the service they receive has been positively impacted by your own efforts and commitment.

The photos shown have been taken from her own Facebook page, those who knew Lyn appreciate that she didn’t like her photo taken and would hide when ever a camera was on site. These photos were obliviously precious to her and thank you Alex for allowing us to use them RIP Lyn

Help The Veterans Contact Point continue delivering effective services for Veterans & Families, by becoming a Trustee

The Veterans Contact Point is seeking to recruit several trustees to replenish our Board of Trustees. We are proud of the progress we have made in the past 10 years and as we move forwards towards our next decade we are seeking passionate individuals with strong can-do attitudes whose expert knowledge, skills and experience will continue to see the Veterans Contact Point maintain and grow its services and support to Veterans and their Families across the Coventry, Solihull & Warwickshire (CSW) Armed Forces Covenant (AFC)Area.  As the CSW AFC only local Military Charity we are leading on local face to face support and working with a varied range of expert Partners to ensure that Veterans & their Families receive the best support they can and face no disadvantage in accessing services as a result of their Military Service.

We are specifically looking for individuals with experience in the following area to join our Board and help it support growth and direction:

Public Relations, Marketing & Fundraising, Employer Representation/Engagement, Mental & Physical Care.

The Committee of Trustees meets four times a year (usually face-to-face, at the home of the Veterans Contact Point in Nuneaton, Warwickshire). In addition the Annual General Meeting (AGM) is normally held in within the current financial year when various Reports and Financial Accounts are presented allowing members the opportunity to question the current Board of Trustee Elected Officers.

The tenure for the role of Trustee would be for an initial probationary period of six months following which the appointment, if made, will be reviewed every three years.  The Committee of Trustees would like to appoint new Trustees as soon as possible.

Trustee (general)  

The Veterans Contact Point (VCP) is managed totally by volunteers and our Trustees perform many roles which cut across many skill sets. As a Trustee of the VCP you should have strong networking skills and be able to represent the Charity if called upon to do so. You will join a team of volunteers who have stepped up into a challenging and supportive environment who give their time freely to the VCP. Trustees act as a collective so it is expected that the successful applicant/s will demonstrate that they:-

• Committed to and supportive of the purpose, objects and values of the Veterans Contact Point
• Computer literate – a VCP Microsoft Office Account, VCP email address and access to the Shared Directory is available to all Trustee’s and Volunteers
• Strong communications skills orally and in written format
• Ability to maintain confidentiality of sensitive and confidential/personal information.
• Understand the importance and purpose of Trustees Meetings, show commitment to preparing for them adequately, being willing to bring ideas and governance and attending them regularly.
• Ability to analyse information and, when necessary, challenge constructively, capable of making/supporting collective decisions.
• Understand the importance of the role and associated governance function.
• Understand the challenges and barriers often faced by Veterans & Families and those transitioning from the UK Military Services.

As a Trustee you will be a volunteer, the VCP have any paid staff which are normally employed to deliver dedicated projects. None of its Board of Trustees are paid however reasonable out of pocket expenses can be reimbursed if necessary.

To apply to be a VCP Trustee, please contactus@veteranscontactpoint.co.uk While we welcome applications and expressions of interest at any time. To be appointed/elected as a trustee to the current Committee of Trustees at the Annual General Meeting in 2021 the closing date for applications is 25^th December 2020.

Should you wish to discuss any of the positions in more detail, please contact Len Hardy, Executive Officer/Board of Trustees len@veteranscontactpoint.co.uk   Telephone: 02476 343793

Applicants will be called for interview in January 2021 with representatives from the current Committee of Trustees. The interviews, dependent on the latest Government COVID19 guidelines will be held face to face at The VCP in Nuneaton, Warwickshire, alternatively interviews will be held via Microsoft Teams.

To find out more about the Association visit: https://www.veteranscontactpoint.co.uk  

It is Important to Stay in Contact – Friends, Family and with Veterans.

Lots of us are feeling worried about the ongoing coronavirus and how it is affecting us. It would appear that the focus is often on physical health and statistics of people catching the virus, or dying from it. Its important to remember the impact on our mental health and ability to cope with the unseen impacts. You don’t need to be an expert on mental health to be there for a family member, a friend or even fellow military buddy who you know but haven’t spoken too for sometime. Some simple tips to follow:

Buddy Call: You might not be able to meet face-to-face, but picking up the phone, having a video call – zoom/skype/team etc, starting a group chat or messaging someone on social media lets them know you are there to talk and ready to listen if they need you.

The VCP has realised the importance of the Buddy Call system and our Veteran Support Workers are ringing other Veterans on a weekly basis to make contact and check in with them. If you are a Veteran and want to be on this Buddy Call – Simply call us on 02476343793 and we will call you back.

Listening & Understanding: Whether you have a mental health problem or not, this will be a challenging time for all of our mental health and wellbeing. If someone opens up to you, remember that you don’t need to fix things or offer advice. Often just listening, and showing them that you take them seriously, can help someone to manage. If you feel that this person is in immediate danger – ring the emergency services.

Asking questions  Ask them how they are managing, and ask again if you’re worried they are not telling you how it really is. Asking again, and showing actual interest is called active listening, listening and caring can help someone to open up and let you know what they’re feeling.

The VCP is striving to be there for all of our Armed Forces Community, especially those across the Coventry, Solihull and Warwickshire Sub Region. We may not be a big charity with thousands of pounds at our disposal – but we a big enough to actually care and we will share what we have with you if you really need it.

Dont struggle in silence, if you are suffering from being socially isolated or just need a fellow veteran to talk to, to discuss how you are feeling and to share the common ground – ring us on 02476 343793 or email us support@veteranscontactpoint.co.uk

We care, we listen and we will get back to you.

Veterans Foundation Grant Awarded to the Veterans Contact Point

The Veterans Contact point are pleased to acknowledge the generous small grant made by The Veterans Foundation to help the VCP provide complimentary services to Veterans & Families across Warwickshire, Coventry and Solihull area who may be experiencing hardship or issues resulting from the impact of COVID19 social isolating/distancing. The money that has been provided has been raised through people playing the Veterans Lottery, you can sign up and play today by following the link below:

Play the Veterans Lottery

https://www.veteransfoundation.org.uk/lottery

We plan to use this small grant to provide and support a complimentary service in support of the fantastic work already being done across our Armed Forces Covenant Area – not to replace it:

We want to ensure Veterans are Included & Not Forgotten

A dedicated Telephone Helpline: 02476343793 & Email Enquiry: support@veteranscontactpoint.co.uk and Support Service. This is not an emergency service and will not replace existing community support links, but allow Veterans to make contact with the VCP.

We also want to develop a Virtual Veterans Community to provide a platform to allow Veterans to communicate with other Veterans to talk about common shared experiences; for CSW AFC Partnership representatives to provide regular information sharing sessions on a range of topics to help Veterans during the current lockdown.

We also want to ensure that the funding made by The Veterans Foundation allows us the flexibility to respond to needs identified by Veterans and for them to be identified within supportive groups to be able to keep them safe whilst in isolation or distancing.

You may not want support, or be able to provide support yourself – its about us the Veterans Armed Forces Community coming together to ensure “no one gets left behind or is forgotten”

We want also to continue the Armed Forces Covenant Partnerships aim to identify how many (Quanity) of us Veterans are living in the Coventry, Solihull and Warwickshire area. If you are a Veteran and you are in the Shielded/Social Isolating Group and you are already receiving support – please let them know you have served in HM Armed Forces. If you want to chat to another veteran – ring us on 02476 343793.

If you can be involved in our Virtual Veterans Community you will need and email address, PC/Laptop/Tablet/Appropriate Mobile Phone and internet access. Email us via: support@veteranscontactpoint.co.uk

Are you the Partner of a UK Armed Forces Veteran?

If you are and you want to share your views and experiences as a Partner of someone who has served and is in the period of transition from Military Service to Civilian Life. The aim of the project, led by Niamh a Trainee Clinical Psychologist with Coventry and Warwick University, who wants to shed light on how Partners can support Veterans when they leave the Military, and to explore how Partners themselves cope during this period.

Full contact details and ethical guidelines etc will be shared/explained by Niamh when contact has been made. Your views may help other Partners and the MOD itself understand the difficulties that transition imposes on families of those making the steps out of the military and into a second career in civilian street.

HRH Prince Charles Visits The Veterans Contact Point

Tuesday, 18th April 2020 was a very proud day in the life of The Veterans Contact Point and all who have been involved with this Nuneaton based Military Charity.

Following on from the Refurbishment Re-opening event in November 2019 opened by General The Lord Dannatt and Civil/Military Dignitaries and Veterans, HRH The Prince of Wales visited the charity to see first hand the work the VCP does in support of the Armed Forces Community Across Coventry, Solihull and Warwickshire Area.

With nearly 80 veterans on Parade and Cadets from 121 (Nuneaton) Squadron ATC, Prince Charles was greeted with the usual pomp and circumstance befitting the future King. He toured the building and met many of the Military Charities and Organisations who help to support the needs of veterans and their families in our area.

A particular highlight of the day was being presented a Garland of Flowers from children of the local Gurkha/Nepalese Community and meeting the Children of Queens CofE Academy Junior School made the visit particularly pleasurable for HRH.

He was invited to unveil a plaque commemorating his visit, which now hangs proudly outside the new building. In his closing comments he thanked all involved for the work that they do in supporting Veterans and their families and appreciated the effort that was put into todays event, which he later commented as a friendly event to end his visit to the region.

The 18th February 2020 was a very proud day for all at the Veterans Contact Point when HRH Prince Charles visited the newly refurbished centre. He was greeted by over 30 Regimental Standards and over 12 Military Charities/Organisations who showed their support to the VCP.

Also present was young school children from Queens Academy Junior School our neighbouring school. The school head teacher Hannah and several young children also provided a stall in the partnership display area.