Veterans

Virtual Tea and Banter

Every First, Second and Fourth Tuesday from 14:30 to 16:30

Why not join for a bit of banter in the comfort of your own home?
The group is very informal and activities include talks on various subjects (some by members of the group), quizzes/games and an opportunity to talk with other Veterans.

They run every first, second and fourth Tuesday afternoon and can be accessed by logging on to Zoom.

The Link for this call is: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81761082058
and the meeting ID is 817 6108 2058 Passcode: vcn

Please note that every third Tuesday of the month, the online VTB Group will be replaced with the usual monthly face to face Bedford Drop In.

Wellingborough Breakfast Club at the Ock N Dough, 14-16 Farm Road, Wellingborough NN8 4UF

Third Saturday of the month. 09:30 – 11:30

There are no commitments or subs… Just a great place to meet like-minded people for support, chat and banter… Not forgetting a great breakfast.

Patient Feedback

We would like to share with you just a few comments of the wonderful feedback we have received from the service provided to our veterans

Patient A

“I did nine and a half years’ service including Northern Ireland and the Falklands. Both tours fighting for people who didn’t want us there, in fact they hated us.

“One morning I received a letter from Abbey Medical Centre, it was from someone named Sher George. I was low that day my thoughts took me to a dark place I know you all understand. I took a leap of faith, desperate for help. Sher not only helped me with medication, benefits and hours of listening to me she also found me Dr Ali whom I know saved my life. His commitment to me is never ending, a hero.”

Patient B

“Sher has been fantastic. Has made me feel at ease when talking about the effects of my sons PTSD on himself. I felt able at long last to talk about my feelings and fears that I hadn’t been able to address before. My son has come on leaps and bounds following his counselling. He is a dad himself now and the future is looking great. I can’t thank Sher enough for all of the help provided to Veterans and their families.”

Patient C

“It was only by a matter of luck that I came across Sher and her role. Initially I phoned to enquire about a previous military injury that had re appeared to the point of severe agony, requiring A&E and the attention of the GPs. I happened to be welcomed by Sher, who first listened patiently about my issue and once I had made apparent the issue was from a previous injury I had gained during my military service, she soon took into account that I was a Veteran. She then made her self known as the Veterans Liaison Officer.

“At first, I was shocked as I had not known this position even existed in civilian street and certainly wasn’t made aware of the role and its duty during my transition into civilian life.

“Once she explained her job role, she told me she was going to push me through a system called the Veterans Trauma Network, again an area I wasn’t made aware of during my resettlement.

“After speaking with Sher and having her talk me through the process of what will happen with my referral through the Trauma Network, I was instantly put at ease with knowing what was going to happen and constantly being kept up to date with the goings on of my referral.

“Leaving the military is scary but leaving the military with a pre-existing injury is even scarier. Not knowing what doctor you are having, or even if they are aware of the previous issues you may have coming into “Civvy Street”, is very unsettling. Having to constantly repeat your injury over and over again gets quite upsetting as it feels like your issue, that was previously being resolved in your military career, is now falling on deaf ears.

“Having Sher there as the Veterans Liaison officer instantly put my mind and body at ease knowing someone is in my corner fighting my battle with me. Constantly reassuring me and keeping me up to date with the goings on of my referral. And also always asking about my mental health state, something I have been struggling with whilst dealing with my injury. Sher was there to support and offer advice which put me in touch with TILs (Transition, Intervention, Liaison Service)

“I urge any soldier due to leave their career and transition into “Civvy Street” to get in touch with their local medical practice and introduce themselves to the Veterans Liaison Officer.

“I also highly urge any Veteran in the Wellingborough area who isn’t already under the fantastic care of Sher and her job role to introduce themselves.

“I can only assure other Veterans like myself that she will do everything she is capable of doing to help, if she can’t help which I very much doubt, she will know who can. She is one of the good guys.”

Patient D

“My name is Patient D, a 57 year old ex-military veteran of some 21 years, who left the military in 2002 suffering from an undiagnosed form of PTSD, so dealt with it the only way I knew how, by slowly drinking myself to death. On the outside looking in control, assured, yet on the inside slowly losing myself to alcoholism, and the knowledge that I just didn’t care anymore, I felt lost and alone, I had fallen between the cracks, and didn’t know where to turn.

“I PVR’d in March of 2002, 6 months prior to completing my 22 year service, ashamed of who I had allowed myself to become, and spent the next 19 years running away from myself. Homelessness and suicide attempts followed, hurting those closest to me, I was isolated, and unable to ask for help. Searching for answers to questions that I didn’t even know existed, and then I met Sher George, at the Abbey Medical Practice in Wellingborough.

“Sher is the Veterans Liaison Officer for Abbey Medical Practice in Wellingborough. I was put in touch with her by my mental health worker. Sher was, or so I thought at the time, another nameless face in the endless sea of people who wanted to help me but were unable, because I didn’t want to help myself. Sher understood, she spoke my language, she communicated in a way that got through to me, Sher told me what I needed to hear rather than what I wanted to hear. She has challenged me, kicked me up the arse when it was needed, she has her own military experience, and she is so passionate about veterans. Sher is persistant, determined, unafraid of red tape, kind, and just a little scary at times, but it is all done with a large dose of unconditional love that sometimes in life we all need. Sher is there, sometimes just for a chat, no treatment, no judgement, and through her my life is moving again.

“My life is not easy, problems still exist, I am not ‘fixed’, there is no magic wand, it takes hard work, focus, determination from yourself, but you are worth it, Sher taught me that. I matter, and things are slowly changing, I am getting my own place, my PTSD has been medically diagnosed, and I am hopefully getting my military pension redressed. My drinking is manageable, and I feel calmer within myself. Asking for help was the hardest and most difficult thing I have had to do, it goes against everything that I was taught in the military, but with that help you can learn to fly again. I wish you all well.”

Don’t suffer in silence. Let us help you.

Please fill our Veterans Request form to let us know if there’s anything we can help you with as a veteran.

Veteran Newsletters

Wellingborough hub at The Masonic Hall, 1 Mill Road, Wellingborough NN8 1PE

Fourth Wednesday of the month. 13:00 – 14:30

The Veterans Community Network are delighted to announce that starting from 22nd February 2023 they will be opening a Veterans Hub in Wellingborough. Limited parking available and we advise to contact The Masonic Hall for queries regarding accessibility. On road parking is available in York Road situated directly behind the hall and not at the Car Park situated beside the building as that is for residents only and not for those visiting the Masonic Hall.

Please kindly adhere to COVID-19 advisories when moving around the general areas of the Club.

Veterans should receive priority access to NHS secondary care for any conditions which are likely to be related to their service.

The ongoing deployment of UK Armed Forces means it is now more important than ever that the NHS works closely with military services to ensure that the health needs of the Armed Forces, their families and veterans are appropriately met. In particular, it will be important to provide priority treatment, including appropriate mental health treatment, for veterans with conditions related to their service, subject to the clinical needs of others.

For more information relating to the Ministry of Defence Armed Forces Community Covenant, and our commitment in support you, please visit the Armed Forces Covenent page on the Northampshire CCG website. This includes information on support groups you can get in touch with locally.

The NHS website for Armed Forces Healthcare provides information on healthcare support for our Veterans and those currently serving in the Armed Forces. For more information and advice, please visit the Armed Forces Healthcare page.

Our Veteran Liaison Officers are Chelsea Connelly and Michelle Coles who work tirelessly to support our Veterans.

Certificate of Accreditation

Information on Op Courage

The first call for help takes courage. If you or someone you know is struggling with their mental health or wellbeing, expert help is available from Op Courage: The Veterans Mental Health and Wellbeing Service.

If you’re due to leave the Armed Forces, just left the Armed Forces or left many years ago, Op Courage is here to help. You will be able to speak to people who:

  • understand the Armed Forces and military life
  • are either from the Armed Forces community or highly experienced in working with Serving personnel, Reservists, Veterans and their families
  • will work with you to make sure you get the right type of specialist care, support, and treatment.

The service can be contacted directly by yourself or you can ask your GP, a charity or someone else, such as a family member or friend, to do this on your behalf.

What will happen when you contact Op Courage

To make sure you get the right care and support, you will first have an assessment by someone who understands the specific needs of the Armed Forces community.

The service offers a range of treatment, which includes:

  • working with Defence Medical Services to make sure you get mental health care and support as you transition from the military to civilian life
  • recognising the early signs of mental health problems and providing care and treatment for this
  • therapeutic treatment for more advanced mental health conditions and psychological trauma
  • intensive emergency care and treatment if you’re in a crisis
  • helping you to access other NHS services if needed, such as psychological therapies (IAPT) services and eating disorder services
  • working with charities and local organisations to support you with your wider health and wellbeing needs, such as housing, relationships, finances, employment, drug and alcohol misuse and social support.

For more information, visit the NHS website at www.nhs.uk/opcourage

Op Courage: The Veterans Mental Health and Wellbeing Service is the new name for the Veterans’ Mental Health Transition, Intervention and Liaison Service (TILS), Veterans’ Mental Health Complex Treatment Service (CTS) and Veterans’ Mental Health High Intensity Service (HIS). The new name has been developed following feedback from veterans and their families to make it easier for those leaving the military and veterans to find help.

How to contact Op Courage: The Veterans Mental Health and Wellbeing Service

North of England

Call 0800 652 2867 or email VTILS@cntw.nhs.uk
The Op Courage urgent care and support service is accessible by healthcare referral only.

The Midlands

Call 0300 323 0137 or email mevs.mhm@nhs.net
Includes the Op Courage urgent care and support service for The Midlands.

East of England

Call 0300 323 0137 or email mevs.mhm@nhs.net
The urgent care and support service is currently provided by other NHS services, as detailed below.

London

Call 020 3317 6818 or email cim-tr.veteranstilservice-lse@nhs.net
Includes the Op Courage urgent care and support service.

South East England

For services in Sussex, Surrey or Kent, call 020 3317 6818 or email cim-tr.veteranstilservice-lse@nhs.net.

For services in Hampshire, the Isle of Wight, Berkshire, Oxfordshire or Buckinghamshire, call 0300 365 2000 or email gateway@berkshire.nhs.uk.

For the Op Courage urgent care and support service, call 02394 387 924 or email snhs.veteranshis.se@nhs.net.

South West England

Call 0300 365 2000 or email gateway@berkshire.nhs.uk
The urgent care and support service is currently provided by other NHS services, as detailed below.