Veterans’ Gateway: here to help the whole family

NEWS

A new film, ‘Pam’s Story’, launched by Veterans’ Gateway on Mother’s Day, shares the highs and lows of being the mum of an ex-Army dog handler …

Many parents, like Pam, pictured above with her daughter Alex, feel powerless to help when their child joins the Forces – and later when they are discharged. ‘I was proud you were serving your country and I was glad you were doing what you wanted to, but I was really worried. After all, you may be a soldier, but you’re still my baby,’ she tells Alex. 

Veterans’ Gateway used the occasion of Mother’s Day to highlight the support available not just to Service leavers, but also to their parents, who are often the first people to notice their son or daughter may be struggling on civvy street. It wants people to know that families can source information on behalf of their children.

Among the common concerns of families contacting Veterans’ Gateway are things like ‘My daughter doesn’t think she has the skills to do any other job now she’s left the Forces’ and ‘My son seems very distant and not the same since he’s come home.’ Veterans’ Gateway can help. 

Many of its advisers are veterans themselves, so have a good understanding of the issues facing the ex-Forces community. By assessing needs at the first point of contact, the advisers can connect veterans and their families, in the UK and abroad, with the right organisation that can help fast. 

With so many military organisations out there, it can be confusing knowing which one to turn to when you need advice quickly. Veterans’ Gateway aims to make this process easier. 

Veterans’ Gateway has a network of expert partners and specialist organisations who offer guidance on a range of areas, from finding the right job and somewhere to live, to getting your mental and physical health on track. 

Click here to watch ‘Pam’s Story’.

For full details of the work of Veterans’ Gateway and how it could help you or someone you know, read our full-length feature here.

Alex Hiha in theatre

About Veterans’ Gateway

Veterans’ Gateway is a first point of contact for veterans, their families and carers who are in need of support. The service is delivered by a consortium comprising The Royal British Legion, Poppyscotland, Combat Stress, Connect Assist, the Ministry of Defence and SSAFA, the Armed Forces Charity. Veterans’ Gateway represents a pathway to a full list of services, from housing and recovery to mental health services, financial and employment advice. It aims to reduce confusion for veterans seeking support within the military charity sector and to ensure it can signpost to the right service for any need a veteran may present with.

If you are in need of support, call 0808 802 1212 (open 24 hours), text 81212 or click here to visit the website and find out more.