Support hubs open for veterans in Somerset
The NHS has collaborated with Arc in Taunton and Ark@Egwood to help members of the Armed Forces family find information and advice
Better support is now available for veterans in Somerset.
Two link workers and ex-forces staff from NHS Somerset have collaborated with Arc in Taunton and Ark@Egwood to create Forces Hubs.
The scheme was officially launched last week by Deputy Lieutenant Brigadier Toomey, representing HM’s Lord Lieutenant of Somerset, alongside NHS Somerset's Chief Nursing Officer, Shelagh Meldrum.
Also in attendance at the event were serving personnel from RNAS Yeovilton, 40 Commando, a number of veterans, charities and other agencies who work with the Armed Forces.
The Hubs are hoped to provide practical advice and point veterans in the right direction for mental or financial support.
They are located within Taunton and South Somerset are open to all members of the Armed Forces community including those serving, their families and veterans - and comes as a large minority of people who live in the county are connected in some way to the Forces.
A conservative estimate is that 9% of the Somerset population is part of the Armed Forces community, whilst 1 in 20 of our population are veterans (compared to 1 in 25 nationally).
CEO Chief executive of NHS Somerset, Jonathan Higman, said: “The armed forces play a vital role in Somerset. I was delighted to sign the Armed Forces Covenant on behalf of NHS Somerset last year as we continue to support people across our communities.
“We are delighted now to be able to work in partnership with Ark@Egwood to provide dedicated Armed Forces link workers who will both support the needs of the Armed Forces community and provide a valuable resource as armed forces hubs in Somerset”.
Two thirds of GP practices in Somerset are accredited as Veteran Friendly too.
Nigel Bell, CEO of Ark@Egwood said: “We had a lovely afternoon launching the two new Armed Forces Hubs in Somerset together with Arc (formerly Taunton Association for the Homeless).
"A big thank you to NHS Somerset and Deputy Lieutenant Brigadier Toomey representing HM's Lord Lieutenant of Somerset and cutting the symbolic ribbon. Also thank you to everyone who attended. We look forward to working with you all to improve the services for our Armed Forces community”.
For more information on how NHS Somerset is supporting our armed forces community, visit the NHS Somerset website.