PC Scott Caswell’s 2025 VCP Fund Raising Challenge
Scott Caswell has again set himself a mammoth challenge for his 2025 fund raising activities in supporting his charity of choice The Veterans Contact Point.
Scott is aiming to complete 12 Marathons in just 6 days, that’s the equivalent of 2 marathons a day – 52.4 miles a day for 6 days. Watch the Veterans Contact Point or Scott Caswell Facebook pages for more details on how to fund and support his fund raising efforts.
You can also listen to Scott on BBC Sounds today (12/2/2025) https://bbc.in/42LwxAY
www.https://bbc.in/42LwxAY
Dinner and Fundraiser Update
Firstly, we would like to thank everyone who attended our Dinner and Fundraiser on Saturday 25th January 2025 at The Crowne Plaza Stratford-Upon-Avon.
The evening was a great success and much fun was had by all and at the same time getting the work achieved by the team out there.
Our aim was to bring the Veterans Contact Point to the front line of peoples minds, and the underlining aim of our charity which we did.
FREE Health Checks For Veterans
FREE health checks for veterans coming to an area near you! Veteran Health Checks (5)
Veterans Health Checks are being provided in Partnership with The George Eliot Hospital, Warwickshire County Council, GP Practices supported by The Veterans Contact Point and its unique Peer Support Services for Veterans and Families across the North Warwickshire Area. Booking is simple either rock up at the VCP in Nuneaton or ring/email the number on the poster to book or confirm your nearest Veterans Health Check venue and date.
VCP Auction Prizes
The Veterans Contact Point are holding a Charity Dinner and Fundraiser.
On the evening we will be having an auction with the listed items available to bid on.
If you are interested in any of the items you can place a bid prior to the event by contacting Caroline or Jeff on:
02476 343793
Caroline@veteranscontactpoint.co.uk
Jeff@veteranscontactpoint.co.uk
King’s Award for Voluntary Service
The Veterans Contact Point is very proud to announce that we have received The King’s Award for Voluntary Service.
All VCP staff are unpaid volunteers and veterans of the armed forces themselves. The King’s Award for Voluntary Service has equivalent status to an MBE for charitable organisations and its award to the VCP recognises the unstinting commitment of time, effort and dedication by the staff to help fellow veterans in need.
The Board of Trustees and our volunteers are delighted to have received the award.
A tribute to Tam Webster
The Veterans Contact Point is sad to announce the death of our good friend and colleague Tam Webster.
Tam served in the Coldstream Guards and saw active service in the Gulf War of 1991. He became a volunteer peer support worker at the VCP and was instrumental in running the Brew and Banter sessions at the Nuneaton, Atherstone and Dordon hubs. His dedication to helping fellow veterans in need was exemplary.
Tam was a highly valued and respected member of the VCP team and he will be greatly missed by all who knew him. We extend our deepest sympathies to Tam’s family and friends.
Stand Easy, Tam.
Nulli Secundus
Armed Forces Day 2023, Warwick.
The Veterans Contact Point will be at the Armed Forces Day event at St Nicholas’ Park Warwick on 24th July 2023. The event is organised by Warwick District Council.
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.
Veterans Contact Point – Warwick Hub Now Open
With the support of grant funding made available through Veterans Foundation https://www.veteransfoundation.org.uk working with Warwick District Council have now completed all paperwork and agreements to officially announce the opening of The Veterans Contact Point – Warwick located at Pageant House, 2 Jury Street, Warwick CV34 4ES
The first ever session of our popular Brew & Banter pop in’s will be available for Veterans on Fridays between 10:00 -14:00 starting on Friday, 25th November 2022. This informal get together enables veterans to meet other veterans over a free brew/wet and exchange banter. Brew & Banter has proven very popular across our other Hubs in Dordon (Tuesday’s), Nuneaton (Wednesday’s) and Atherstone (Thursday’s) with over 30 veterans attending these free drop ins’.
Op Free Speech
Provided with two rooms on the first floor in Pageant House which is also now the new home of the Fusiliers Museum Warwick (Opening in early December 2022) we quickly established am office and a group work/meeting room:
All of our existing interventions which include, Partnership Working, Peer Support (Veteran to Veteran), Op Free Speech (None-clinical Support) to Veterans from Gulf/Iraq/Afghanistan Wars/Conflicts, Safe Gateway to access support, Brew & Banter, Social Meetings, Befriending, and Welfare support will also take place at the Warwick Hub.
Our existing delivery partners, Op Courage (NHS) Mental Health Teams (TILS/HIS/CTS), Veterans UK, SSAFA Warwickshire & Coventry and others have pledged their support and will deliver interventions from Warwick.
Initially we will staff the Warwick Hub with our existing team of Volunteers from the North of Warwickshire, it is hoped as we gain traction in Warwick/Southern Warwickshire we will increase the numbers of veterans and other volunteers who want to support the work the Veterans Contact Point provides. We will ensure appropriate training and support for all who volunteer for this established charity. If you’re interested and want to learn more ring 02476 343793 or email: contactus@veteranscontactpoint.co.uk.
VCP Warwick Offices – Opening Soon
The Veterans Contact Point in Partnership with Warwick District Council will be establishing a Veterans Support Hub in Pageant House Warwick
Pageant House High Street Warwick
Refurbishment work modernising the internal of the building is almost complete and the first floor of Pageant House will eventually accommodate the Veterans Contact Point and the Warwickshire Fusiliers Museum. Already established on the ground floor are the Warwickshire Yeomanry Museum, the Wedding Ceremony Room and Warwick Town Council.
The Veterans Contact Point has worked tirelessly to establish a base in Southern Warwickshire to complement its existing successful Head Quarters based in Nuneaton North Warwickshire. Working with Warwick District Council, The Coventry, Solihull and Warwickshire Armed Forces Covenant Partnership and funding from The Veterans Foundation these efforts have resulted in a suite of two rooms being made available to the Warwickshire Charity to establish an operation base in the South.
Capital Funders Veterans Foundation support the Veterans Contact Point in Warwick
Final plans have been made and equipment ordered to allow the Veterans Contact Point to start to deliver support and partnership interventions to Armed Forces Veterans and their families living in South Warwickshire. The strength behind the intervention’s that are delivered by this award-winning Military Charity is its Peer Support which have proven highly effective in supporting many hundreds of veterans to date and in ensuring their continued engagement in service delivery and interventions from the Armed Forces Covenant Partnership.
The date set for “doors open” and operational face to face interventions is Monday 7th November the week before the UK remembers the lives lost, sacrifices and service of its Armed Forces in battles and conflicts past. The suite of offices will be dedicated to our late President Mr David JO Owen MBE DL in memory of his endless commitment to The Veterans Contact Point who he was instrumental in establishing back in 2009. David was also the President of SSAFA Warwickshire & Coventry Branch, dedicating his own life since leaving the Military to ensure that his fellow Veterans and their Families should not struggle to find support. He also supported many other great charities and organisations across Warwickshire.
If you are a veteran or a partner of a veteran or an organisation or individual who knows of a veteran or their family who are struggling, help can be accessed through any one of our hubs across Warwickshire, one telephone number: 02476343793 and one email address: contactus@veteranscontactpoint.co.uk
If you are a veteran and want to be involved in supporting the work we do, or even just to rock up for a brew and a chat, same number and email or when we are open Monday 7th November 2022, pop in the door is open and the brew/wets will be on. We look forward to welcoming you.