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.
Announcement: Police & Crime Commissioner Award 2025-2026
We are thrilled to announce the continued support of our Police and Crime Commissioner’s and would like to extend our sincere thanks for the generous award 2025-2026. This support enables us to further our mission and continue providing vital services to our local Veterans.
We look forward to welcoming the Commissioner’s to see first hand the incredible work being carried out by our team in support of the Veteran community.
Thank you once again for your unwavering commitment to our cause.
Veterans Health Checks Official Launch
“We would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone who attended the Official Launch of the Veterans Health Checks”
A big thanks to NBBC Mayor Bill Hancox, Deputy Mayor Bhim Saru, Cllr Wallace and Pam Redford and Om Parkash Gurung from the Ghurka Community.
We are thrilled to bring this vital initiative to the Veterans, spouses and children community and are committed to supporting as many Veterans as possible moving forward.
A special thank you goes out to all the partners involved in this project. Without their invaluable support, we would not be able to carry out the important work that we do.
We look forward to continuing our efforts to improve the health and wellbeing of Veterans across the community.
Again thanking our Partners within the project,
- George Eliot Hospital Trust
- North Warwickshire North Place
- Coventry And Warwickshire Integrated Care Board
- North Arden Primary Care Network
- Warwickshire County Council
- Nuneaton and Bedworth Primary Care Network
Veterans Foundation Grant – Peer Support Worker 2025/26
The Veterans Contact Point (VCP) has once again benefitted from the generosity of grant funding made by The Veterans Foundation
to help it continue to deliver effective and timely Peer Support interventions to Warwickshire Veterans.
The grant award will go towards the employment of a Full Time Peer Support Coordinator over a 12 month period. This role is supported with additional funding from the Veterans Health Check Projects allocated peer support budget.
Peer Support underpins the VCP’s delivery which enables 1-2-1 support being provided to help veterans navigate the complexities of current community interventions and to ensure they remain supported throughout their journey.
“The Veterans Foundation is one of the country’s fastest-growing military charities and they are proud to work with hundreds of smaller charities and charitable organisations across UK that share our passion: to provide a better life for our Armed Forces family who are in need (our beneficiaries). They help their partner organisations by supporting them to deliver life-changing projects through their grant award scheme.
Many amazing charities like The Veterans Contact Point have significant financial constraints and the Veterans’ Foundation exists to champion their causes and to help them effect their objectives. They do this by funding projects and they also work with their partners to broadcast their initiatives to raise awareness of the challenges facing our armed forces community. They know those challenges can often impact on family members and their pledge is to also offer support for the dependants of those who have served their country.
The Veterans’ Foundation has a unique story. They were formed in 2016 and they have grown quickly since then. Their journey began by sharing the stories of our Armed Forces family on social media and this quickly escalated into a large, trusted community of friends and supporters. In just a few years they had engaged and interacted with millions of people, celebrating our Armed Forces and bringing hope of a better life to those in need of care and assistance.
Their supporters, you, are the heartbeat of the Veterans’ Foundation and through your kind donations, fundraising events and by playing their popular Veterans’ Lottery, challenges are being faced, overcome, and lives are changing for the better.”
The Veterans Contact Point third Veterans Foundation Grant will enable us to employ a Peer Support Coordinator who will be employed initially with this grant for 12 months. This role will allow the Veterans Contact Point’s frontline delivery to remain accountable and offer a timely coordinated response to veterans in need. It will also play a pivotal role in the recruitment and training of other like minded people, both veterans and none military people to become Peer Support Workers in one of our two operating bases across Warwickshire – Nuneaton & Warwick.
The CEO of The Veterans Contact Point is amazed at the continued generosity of The Veterans Foundation and in them once again recognising the fantastic support and interventions that our small but effective Military Charity provide in our Armed Forces Covenant Area. This funding will go a great way in allowing the VCP to provide interventions to our veterans and those working with them.
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.