Warwickshire ChangeMaker 2025
Warwickshire ChangeMakers 2025: Honouring Local Heroes
Over 100 outstanding individuals were honoured this week at Warwickshire ChangeMakers 2025—a celebration recognising those across the county who dedicate themselves to making a lasting, positive impact in their communities.
Among this year’s inspiring award recipients was Jason Hester, one of our incredible volunteers at the Veterans Contact Point (VCP). Jason was recognised for his unwavering commitment, compassion, and tireless support for veterans in Warwickshire.
His contribution has been invaluable—from providing one-to-one support to veterans in need to helping develop and deliver essential services that improve lives. Jason’s dedication, empathy, and community spirit truly embody what it means to be a ChangeMaker.
We are extremely proud of all of our volunteers, whose collective efforts make the VCP a vital and trusted support hub. But today, we take a moment to shine a spotlight on Jason and celebrate the well-deserved recognition of his hard work.
Congratulations, Jason – and thank you for everything you do.
Continued Support from Provincial Grand Lodge of Warwickshire
Grateful Thanks to the Provincial Grand Lodge of Warwickshire
We would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to the Provincial Grand Lodge of Warwickshire for their generous donation to Veterans Contact Point.
Their continued support makes a real difference in the lives of our local veterans and their families. Every penny donated goes directly toward the services and assistance we provide—whether it’s mental health support, housing guidance, welfare advice, or simply a safe space to connect with others who understand.
Partnerships like this are vital in helping us continue our mission, and we are truly thankful for the Provincial Grand Lodge’s ongoing commitment to those who have served.
Thank you for standing with our veterans.
VCP team are now MHFA’s
Following an intensive two-day course with MHFA England, the team are now proud to be MHFA-qualified.
Forces Employment Charity Families Programme
Fantastic event, all set up and ready here at the VCP in Nuneaton for the Forces Employment Charity Families Programme
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ERS Gold Award Winners 2025
Veterans Contact Point Receives Gold Award from Defence Employer Recognition Scheme
Thank you for helping us serve those who have served.
Veterans Contact Point – Nuneaton
Serving Those Who Served
SEVERN TRENT SERVICES SUPPORTS MIDLANDS VETERANS CHARITY
Severn Trent Services said, “For us, offering IT expertise is quite an unusual volunteering activity. But working with veterans, SEVERN TRENT SERVICES SUPPORTS MIDLANDS VETERANS CHARITY
Veterans Contact Point is a charity for veterans, run by veterans based in Nuneaton, Warwickshire. They help veterans who have served in the UK Armed Forces, as well as their families, to settle back into civilian life.
Aaron Morgan is a senior business analyst at Severn Trent Services. His manager, Stephen Hardy, has family links to the charity and asked if Aaron could spare some time to help them improve their veterans database.
Aaron said, “To provide the veterans with the best possible advice and support, the charity needs to capture important information about the veterans’ backgrounds and current situations.” They also need to categorise the veterans according to their needs and maintain an up-to-date picture of their status.
“The charity had its own method, but there was definitely an opportunity to improve it to make it even more user-friendly and robust.
“I spent about a week at their base in Nuneaton, and what I witnessed was eye-opening. Their work isn’t just valuable; it’s vital.
“One moment that hit hard was watching them respond to a potentially life-threatening crisis involving a veteran. It brought home just how urgently they’re stepping in where overstretched emergency services can’t.
“It also made me realise that some of us live incredibly sheltered lives. And this charity is out there filling the gaps most of us never see.”
Adding greater value to communities
Severn Trent Services pays its people to volunteer two days each year to add value to the
communities they serve.
Social value is one pillar of the company’s sustainability plan, ‘Focus on Five’, which ensures communities throughout Great Britain benefit from the skills and resources of the Severn Trent Services team.
Hannah Webster, Sustainability Manager at Severn, We’re committed to providing employment opportunities to veterans; many of our people are veterans or have connections to the Armed Forces, and of course, one of our major contracts is with the Ministry of Defence.”
Feedback from Veterans Contact Point
The Veterans Contact Point charity has recognised Aaron for his voluntary work there.
Peer support said, “Aaron’s initiative in identifying the need for a more streamlined and efficient process is commendable.
“The new system clearly demonstrates thoughtful planning, technical proficiency, and a user-focused approach.
“You’ve been proactive in incorporating suggestions from stakeholders during the development process, which shows a strong commitment to collaboration and continuous improvement.
“His work has added real value to our operations, and it reflects highly on your skills and professionalism.”
Armed Forces Day 2025
VCP at Armed Forces Day in Leamington Spa—June 28, 2025
Our team at the Veterans Community Project (VCP) was proud to take part in Armed Forces Day in Leamington Spa on Saturday, June 28, 2025. This free community event, held at the beautiful Pump Room Gardens from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., was a wonderful celebration in honor of both current and former members of the Armed Forces.
The day was filled with engaging displays, activities, and performances that brought together families, individuals, and military enthusiasts alike. We had a fantastic time exploring the exhibits and connecting with veterans and their families. It was a valuable opportunity for us to share more about our charity and highlight the work we do to support the veteran community.
We’re grateful to have been a part of such a meaningful event and look forward to attending again in the future.
Defence Medical Welfare Service Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust – Thrive Together Midlands Region
Defence Medical Welfare Service – Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust Project
The Veterans Contact Point is please to announce its successful application to become a delivery partner on the DMWS Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust Project – Thrive Together Midlands. DMWS will support the VCP through the Midlands Thrive Together programme, to support access to essential services for vulnerable veterans, their families and carers.
VCP will actively support the development of the Thrive Together programme in the Midlands region, in alignment with the Thrive Together Strategic Plan. This plan, shaped by regional consultation and formalised in DMWS’s application to the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust, will guide our collaborative efforts to meet the strategic objectives for the region.
We are currently at the recruitment stage of interviews for Veterans Health Care & Partnership Development Officer, who will be based in the Warwick Office providing this service across South Warwickshire & Rugby Areas. Final interviews for successful applicants will be held at our VCP office in Warwick – South Warwickshire on Thursday, 1st May 2025.
This innovative role aims to facilitate (bridge the gap) across systems, statutory agencies, local charities, and community groups to support increased and improved access to mental and physical health services, Adult Social Care support for veterans and their carers/families. A key role for the South Warwickshire Veterans Health Care & Partnerships Development Officer is to develop and foster strong partnerships with existing providers, improve referral process through primary and secondary care providers/NHS Trusts to ensure that veterans and their families are receiving the best support possible.
Supported by the VCP Peer Support and Business Administrative Officer this role will also be instrumental in supporting and developing the general awareness raising of the needs of veterans and families/Armed Forces Community. This will involve providing Armed Forces awareness training to statutory agencies, local charities, and community groups and to veterans themselves. A good understanding of the needs and barriers faced by veterans and their families and the Armed Forces Covenant is key to this requirement.
This developmental role will include the reaching out and locating veterans’ groups across South Warwickshire & Rugby areas, engaging with these Veterans and families in their own local community and to provide them with the support they need to progress through treatment or required intervention pathway. Working closely with the VCP’s Own Peer Support Team, we will be assisting, enabling and supporting veterans and families as required through an effective case management system. Activities could be in the form of veteran specific activities: brew & banter, befriending or support for the veteran to access community based or thematic support activities. E.g.. Accessing dementia or neurodiversity provision, or removing loneliness and isolation.
The role will prioritise veterans and their carers/families for those who are at increased risk of suicide and/or self-harm as well as those who experience a high degree of loneliness and social isolation. We are currently at the recruitment stage of this project with out final round of job interviews being held on Thursday, 1st May at our South Warwickshire Hub in Warwick. We hope to appoint the successful applicant shortly after the final interview date.
If you are a veteran, regardless of age or service and have served for 1 day or more, and you are interested in knowing how this project can help you or any veterans groups/associations or clubs you may know of, please feel free to make contact with us on our central enquiry line: 02476 343793 or email: contactus@veteranscontactpoint.co.uk
The consultation and regional strategic plan has informed Phase 3 programme outcomes, including:
Enhanced Help Seeking:
- Significant improvements in help-seeking behaviour among the veteran community.
- Reducing the stigma associated with mental health and seeking help and support.
Holistic Support Approaches:
- Better holistic approach to supporting veterans focusing on mental and physical health.
- Tailor activities and support services to address the diverse needs of veterans.
Support for Carers and Families:
- Strengthen support networks for veterans’ carers and families.
- Provide resources and services that cater to the wellbeing of the entire family unit.